Destination: Yellowstone National Park

Another one of our readers writes us today to share his favorite fly fishing destination: Yellowstone National Park. I had the luxury of spending some time out there myself and when you can get away from the crowds, the park is truly beautiful. The Gibbon River was one of the rivers I spent some time on and had an absolute blast on a tan caddisfly hatch. Well Caleb we appreciate you story and your adventure! I'm sure you had a great time out there and congratulations!! Cheers.

Hey Kirk and Brian,

My wife and I just got back this morning from our honeymoon to Yellowstone National Park. While fly fishing wasn't the main purpose of the trip, we ended up fishing together on the Gibbon and Lamar Rivers, respectively. While the Gibbon didn't yield anything, my wife Amy caught her first fish ever when we fished the Lamar! She was using a yellow stimulator with a caddis pupa dropper, and the cutthroat took the dropper. I was fishing downstream from her and heard her yell "I got a fish!" I put my rod down and went up to help her get it in the net - I didn't realize how big it was until I went to net it! To prove to her friends that it was actually her who got it, I took a picture of her holding the net and then one of the fish (both are attached). It really made my day to see her so excited about catching her first fish (and on the fly, to boot).

One evening Amy accommodated me by sitting on the bank reading while I fished at $3 Bridge on the Madison - the caddis were all over (brown, size 16 and black, size 18) and a few stoneflies were still in the air as well. I tied on a tan X-caddis with a caddis pupa dropper, and this rainbow took the X-caddis. It was a great night out in one of my favorite spots.

Anyway, just wanted to share those with you guys. Hope the fishing is good - tight lines!

Caleb

Harry T fishing report!

Hey guys hope all is well. Went to the Spring Creek church Sunday morning, the tricos must have been chased by the rain but got this fish on an ant. I fished close to the bank in the shade.

Just saying, finally succeeded taking a picture without a bunch of fish handling. I'm a believer in this nomad net, light easy to carry in your belt and it floats perfectly. Check them out at nomad fly fishing, Kevin is a good guy. thanks and peace

the intern

Harry what pattern were you using? Just a standard foam ant has always been great for me... either that or the sunken epoxy ant.. Let us know! Either way nice fish and cool picture! Good work intern. 

Fly Spotlight - Favorite Terrestrial Patterns

Terrestrials are always a favorite of mine to fish throughout the summer months.  Anytime that you are out around shaded areas, throw on a terrestrial and more then likely you'll be able to fool several aggressive fish!  The patterns are almost infinite to choose from but below are a selection of a few patterns that I love to use during the summer months.  Enjoy!

Chernobyl Ant Pattern

(Courtesy of Tying Streamers-Poppers Post)

Hook:#8 3Xlong nymph hook

Thread:Black 3/0

Underbody:Pearl Black Estaz

Overbody:Black closed cell foam~cylinders (sheet foam can be substituted)

Legs:Black, round rubber

Indicator:Red closed cell foam (from a pool toy)

Foam Beetle Pattern

(Courtesy of www.flyanglers.com)

Hook:  Standard dry fly, sizes 18 to 8. (The hook shown is a Daiichi 1170).

Thread:  Black 8/0 or 6/0.

Legs:  Black elk hair or fine rubber-strands.

Body:  Black soft-foam strip.

Indicator:  Bright yellow poly yarn.

Destination: Ascension Bay, Mexico

The Mexican Yucatan Peninsula has been a destination for fisherman for a long time, but until recently fly fisherman have been relatively unaware of just how bountiful their sport fish are. Mexico is probably the location where you the angler have the best chance, right now, to go out and hit the grand slam. That is, go out in one single day and catch a bonefish, a permit, and a tarpon in an outing. That doesn't happen often but in Ascension Bay it can. You aren't going to jump the 150 pound mega tarpon like you would in the Atlantic Ocean during migration, but a 70 pound tarpon is still a hell of a good fight (a 10 pound tarpon would be a welcome challenge for me!)!

There is a lodge right in Punta Allen that has been getting great reviews from anglers as well as non fishing guests and that's not that easy to find right now in Mexico.. The name of the lodge is fitting, "Grand Slam," a title that many anglers search their whole life to obtain. Grand Slam hoists the title several times a year with all kinds of anglers.

Photo by Brian Grossenbacher

grand slam fishing

The area is best known for its permit population (shown in the picture to the right) and it is said to have schools of permit numbering in the 20's and solo permit similar in size to this 35 lb beast pictured here. 


All this talk about destination angling has gotten me excited... I'm thinking about putting a trip together to head down there late this Spring (mid-late May) ideally with about 6-8 other fisherman so let me know if you are interested! 

Yellow Dog Fishing

If you want to get more info on your own check out their site here!

 GRAND SLAM 

Poll results

THE RESULTS ARE IN!...


There was a decisive split between fishing reports and lies.. Can't say an overwhelming number of you voted but the ones that did seemed to agree that the most helpful/entertaining aspect of our blog is telling stories and sharing our fishing results. We of course appreciate the help and the feedback and encourage everyone to vote because ideally that will shape our blog for the future. 

This picture comes with a story.. Kirk and I sought off in search of some tarpon locked into some of these canals by my house in Homestead. We found a couple but here we were chasing around an alligator gar. The interesting part of this trip was here, when we found a sunken jetski serving as an artificial reef for all of these fish to explore around. This little canal is land locked on all sides with no boat ramps. I can not even begin to imagine what someone was thinking trying to drive one in and out of here... It was only a matter of time I suppose until it ended up like it is now. Only in South Florida I guess can you find a sunken jetski in a brackish water canal, with no way in or out...

Fly Spotlight - Trico Spinner

Trico fishing is something that is fun but challenging to fish.  The flies are in abundance but the size of the insect can be sometimes tricky to entice a fish to take.  Drag free drifts and the key to having success while fishing these small flies!  Tricos offer a fisherman a challenging hatch to fish in the morning while not putting as much stress on the fish due to the lower AM water temperatures. 

Trico Spinner
Hook:Tiemco 101 size#24
Thread:12/0 Black
Tail:Coq de Leon (goose biots)
Abdomen:Stripped peacock (from the "eye" feather)
Wing:Organza
Thorax:Black superfine dubbing

Destination: Iliamna, Alaska

Here is a short clip of some good Alaskan fishing memories over the last couple of years. From Bob Cusack's Alaska Lodge based out of Iliamna, Alaska focusing primarily on fishing the Copper River and the Gibraltor river. Remember if you even want any more info on any of our destinations just ask! You can comment on this post or comment us directly at flyfishingfiles1@gmail.com and we will work towards setting up your dream trip!!

 Alaskan Memories 

As a final reminder we are down to our last few hours to vote on our poll. Thanks for everyone who voted. 

Rack of lamb and a full house!

Campfire stories and a riverside bed

Big brute giving the stinkeye to the camera