Montana Hatches - Fishing from the Top to the Bottom

Beyond the Basics--Probing all the Depths Throughout the Season

Part I

A discourse on how to master fishing from the top to the bottom, this article examines the contributions of the experts in the field, seeks out common principles and practices, and endeavors to apply these concepts with detailed strategies along with a self-test to determine what a reader needs to review or learn. I have given a lot of thought on how I want to organize this material for on-line reading, and I decided that the easiest format would be a question and answer approach. To that end, I present information, raise questions, and then provide the answers right below a section of information. Hopefully this will reinforce new information, as well as challenge the reader who knows the information but may be a little slow on total recall. My goal is both instructional and a means to reinforce and learn new knowledge so that the knowledge may be easily applied on the stream.

Introduction

As a generalist, I am a dabbler in arts and master of none so it is no surprise to me that I attained a particular level of expertise as a fly fishing angler and then fell into years of stagnation. My gains, if they were plotted on a graph by skills and years, would show limited attainment for a long period of time. Perhaps you too are familiar with some of my rationalizations for technical stagnation: (1) I just don't have the time to master another level of expertise. (2) To become proficient at fishing on the surface, the subsurface, the middle column and on the bottom, demands that I return to the vise that I abandoned thirty years ago when genetically manipulated chicken capes hit $65 dollars! (3) I am getting too old. I can't keep track of all the names of the flies that I have in my vest now, let alone learn the Latin names of the insects they imitate. (4) Although I am passionate about fly-fishing and have been for the better part of 40 years, I have other passions as well that compete with my leisure time. In short, I had not made a concerted effort to expand both my knowledge and skill level. For too long I had been content to fish on the top and the bottom, with the exception of using a dropper just below the surface film. In short, I did not have a systematic methodology for fishing from the top to the bottom of the water column throughout the season.

I know that just reading a couple of books on nymph fishing is not enough. Knowledge must be applied. As a former high school English teacher, I know that mastery of any skill requires knowledge and practice--lots of practice! But it also requires a working knowledge of specialized terms, and most importantly it requires setting clear goals and breaking down each goal into achievable lessons and sub-skills. So, why should you read a secondary source that reviews primary sources? You shouldn't, unless you have read the primary sources, and you are now seeking a methodology to apply what you have read in a systemic method. Keep in mind that this article makes no attempt to teach entomology. It is beyond my scope. Instead, the primary goal of this article is to help an inexperienced angler learn the primary Montana hatches, select the appropriate patterns and apply the appropriate delivery to a specific area of the water column.

The primary sources that I have used are recognized as experts in the field of fly-fishing. They continue the long-standing tradition of applying new insights to very old challenges. When I finish the entire article, I will include a bibliography. When I present information that the authors and other experts are in agreement, I consider that information to be in the realm of public knowledge, and I will not footnote or add an endnote of attrition, as it is not my intent to write an academic paper. Whenever, possible I cite them by name in the body of my text with a direct quotation. Sometimes I may reference their work by using the title of their book or just referencing their name. Make no mistake, I champion their books. I welcome any help in improving this article. You may contact me at dave @ glaciertoyellowstone .com.

To begin, let's start with a review of seasonal hatches in Montana and appropriate fly patterns, which will be followed by a photographic display of these same patterns for identification purposes. Note: the photographs of the fly patterns are courtesy of on-line fly-fishing stores. I have provided a direct link for each particular fly pattern, which can be purchased on-line. The fly pattern photographs begin on item 18.

Dave Archer

Pre/Post Test on Fly-fishing Patterns for All the Depths

Note: The answers to each of these seasonal periods is at the end of the questions for each particular period in the season. Take out a pen and a piece of paper and determine what you already know, what you need to review, and what you need to learn and practice.

How apropos! Tonight I attended the May, 2010, Klamath Country Fly Casters club meeting in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Dave Hughs, author of Nymphs for Streams and Stillwaters, was the featured guest speaker. The guest speaker previous to this was Rick Hefle. Dave remarked that on one of his fishing trips with Rick, he asked for Rick's fly boxes and laid them out next to his. Both men were not surprised that they had covered the five principle aquatic insect groups: stoneflies, mayflies, caddis, scuds and terrestrials. What bemused both anglers was that they were mutually exclusive in their selection of patterns. Dave went on to discuss the importance of having a number of searcher or generic patterns to cover the common food forms. Some of his favorites were Brooks Montana Stone, BWO nymphs, Pheasant Tail, Beadhead Prince Nymph, Copper John, among others. In the absence of a predominant emergence of a specific aquatic insect, which would be noted in a stream sampling or a stomach sampling, Dave urged listeners to search the water with their favorite search patterns, and he confided that of late one of his favorite patterns was the Lightening Bug.

Photo property of Fly Art Studio -- Lightening Bug

Early Season - Pre-Run-off: Mid-April to Mid-May

1. Name five primary hatches in the early season from mid-April to mid-May. Hint: think mayfly, stonefly, caddis and chironomidae. (Yes, in Montana the weather is far from predictable and the season can be early or late depending on snow-pack and prevailing weather patterns, but this period is the period before the warm weather impacts the rivers and streams.)

2. During this preseason, pre-run-off, what is an ideal water temperature for hatches, and will you be hoping for cloudy conditions or sunny conditions?

3. Name three well-known nymph patterns that work well for a baetis hatch. (Undoubtedly, you will name patterns just as affective as what the experts recommend.)

4. One of the early hatches during this period are the midge hatches. Since they are so small, what are some patterns to compensate for their size?

5. The March Brown dun is tied in brown and gray in size 16-14. The Western March Brown mayfly will be typically a Rhithrogena morrisoni or a Rhithrogna hageni. The March Brown dun's wing is mottled and it has two tails. What would be a good, old-standard for a March Brown dun? Nymph? Emerger?

6. What insect is named for the "Mother's Day Hatch?"

Answers to the pre-season; questions 1-6

1. Blue-winged olives (Baetis), midges, March Brown mayfly, Skwala stonefly and towards the end of this period the Little Black Caddis and the Grannon Caddis.

2. Most authorities say that during this time period the ideal water temperature is 50-degrees. They also suggest that baetis mayflies and the March browns seem to hatch more profusely during cloudy conditions in the afternoon.

3. Pheasant Tail Nymph #20-14; Hare's Ear Nymph #20-14; Beadhead Prince Nymph or a Zug Bug. If you know your bugs, you have already exceeded these suggestions.

4. The midges are typically size #20, and they often tend to cluster together so a number of patterns are tied in a clustering visual effect. One such pattern is the Griffith's Gnat.

Photo property of Round Rocks -- Griffith Midge

5. One old favorite for the March Brown dun is the March Brown Compra-Dun. The dun is noted for its mottled wing, its brown body and two tails. A common nymph is the Hare's Ear, and a good emerger pattern would be a March Brown Soft-Hackle, which imitates the nymph as it ascends to the surface. The emerger nymph is most often cast across the stream or up and across the current. Fish typically hit the fly at the end of the swing as the fly pattern rises to the surface.

6. The "Mother's Day Hatch" is most often associated with a Grannon caddis hatch. This May hatch can be prolific on many Western rivers at this time, along with other species of caddis fly such as the Little Black Caddis. The size is typically 10-14. The body is usually dark brown dubbing wrapped with fine tinsel. The thorax is also dark brown, and the wing case is most often a slate color such as duck quills tied at the side. (Western Hatches by Rick Hafele and Dave Hughs)

Post Run-Off (Mid-May to late June): Water flows are stabilizing along with clarity. During this time a hot day can trigger additional volume. When the water is rising, fishing can be tough. Watch for falling water levels, as once the river starts to consistently drop trout go on an eating binge! (Now, before you contact me and chastise me for the following hatches and their time slot, I readily acknowledge that many of the hatches presented in the post run-off can be present in May prior to run-off and even during run-off.) This is a wonderful time period of multiple hatches coming off almost every day. So, when is it exactly? Well, in high water years it typically starts the last week in June and runs through the middle of July. In drought years, contact a fly shop!

During this period anglers are on the look out for PMD's, stoneflies, caddis and the eagerly awaited Western Green Drake (Ephemerella grandis and doddsi), and the Brown Drake (Ephemera simulans). These are the big boys size 12-10. They have stout bodies and long tails, although the Brown Drake is more slender. These hatches may overlap. Don't look for a large hatch. In fact, you may only see a couple of these bugs on the water, which means that you need to put one of these patterns on right away!

7. Ephrmerella inermis and infrequens, one of the most prolific mayfly hatches for this time period, is a small, yellowish to light olive dun commonly referred to by using three letters. What is this bug and, what is its distinguishing features?

8. The Big Hole River is famous for this hatch, as is the Madison River, but many visiting anglers do not realize that Pteronarcys californica also hatches in June on the Bitterroot River, Rock Creek and the Blackfoot River and the Yellowstone, just to name a few. The hatch can move up the river three miles a day. It is preceded by great nymphing opportunities, and even when the hatch wanes, trout are on the look out for these huge morsels of food. Following on the footsteps of this hatch, and sometimes overlapping, is a similar stonefly. What are the names of these two stoneflies and what are their distinguishing features?

9. After the big drakes hatches and the famous stonefly hatches have receded from the trout's memory, many smaller hatches come on the scene, such as Slate Wing Olives, small Blue Wing Olives and PMD's that have hues that begin to look olive in color, so it is important to have many baetis patterns in your fly box in different sizes and colors to match what you find on a particular day; however, early summer brings another stonefly that emerges from fast riffles. The female returns to these riffles and lays her eggs. What is the name of this stonefly, and what is its size and color?

10. A host of patterns imitate the Little Yellow Stonefly, but if you walk into any Montana fly shop, you can start by asking for a _______________ pattern.

11. Name a Little Yellow Stonefly nymph pattern, along with an emerger pattern. There is no right answer. In the answer section I have selected a pattern that should be easy to find in a fly shop.

Answers to the early summer and mid-summer; questions 7-11

7. One of the most prevalent hatches for the post run-off and into summer is the PMD or Pale Morning Dun (not to be confused with a Pale Evening Dun, which is similar in color and shape but is a different genus, Heptagenia. The Pale Evening Dun emerges during mid-summer.) PMD's are typically size 16. Their body is a dull yellow with some green hues. They have unmarked wings and three tails. Inhabiting moderately fast riffles, they emerge during the morning, but on cloudy days the hatch can progress into the afternoon. The spinner fall usually occurs in the morning when the sun clears the mountains and touches the water.

8. The Salmon Fly and the Golden Stone are important hatches. Measuring one to one and a half inches, the Salmon Fly begins its migration across the bottom of riffles when the water temperature climbs to near 50 degrees. Grayish brown on the topside, the underbelly of the Salmon Fly is orange. The Giant Golden Stonefly is in fact a mottled brown and yellow giving it a golden cast. Slightly smaller, the Golden starts hatching a few weeks later, but it is not uncommon to have them over-lap when the Salmon Fly hatch is on the wane. (Trout Stream Insects by Dick Pobst)

9. This mid-summer stonefly is the diminutive Little Yellow Stonefly of the Isoperia genus, and it is size ranges from 16-10. The "Isoperla and Peltoperla species are small, at 3/8 to 5/8 inch." (Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams by Hefle)

10. The Little Yellow Stonefly imitation is most commonly referred to as a Yellow Sally.

11. In addition to a Yellow Sally an excellent dun imitation is a yellow Elk Hair Caddis. A good emerger would be a Yellow Soft Hackle. And there are a host of nymph imitations. Hefle recommends a Smurf Stone and Mercer's Gold Dust in sizes 16-10.

Season: The Dog Days of Summer

12. What is the common name for the tiny mayfly with the white wing and black body, and what size imitation should you use in late July and August?

13. This is the season to bring out the Hopper patterns, but what other terrestrials should you have in your fly box?

14. Remember how important the baetis group or Blue Wing Olives are to the Montana angler? Well, in addition to the small trico hatch, the Tiny Blue-Wing Olives begin to emerge at the end of summer. On what type of water will you most likely find these insects?

Answers to mid-summer and late summer; questions 12-14

12. This miniscule mayfly, Tricorythodes minutus, is most commonly referred to as the Trico hatch. The duns hatch in the early morning hours, which can extend into late morning on cloudy days. The spinner fall is within an hour or two. Because the hatch is so prolific, trout gorge themselves on these mayflies by just leisurely sipping them. Pattern size ranges from 20-16. Here is a tip for those anglers who find it difficult to pick out their pattern when it is surrounded by hundreds of live insects. Tie a smaller trico pattern off a small Parachute Adams.

13. Ants and beetle patterns

14. The Tiny-Blue Wing Olives typically inhabit slower currents and spring creeks, such as the Clark Fork. Another mayfly, more often associated with stillwater fishing, is the Speckled Mayfly or Callibaetis. It too inhabits slow water and spring creeks.

Photograph Property of River Bum

Season: Late Summer and Fall

15. In addition to the BWO's, a large mayfly begins to emerge from late summer into October. With a gray and brown mottled body, this mayfly has unmarked wings. The spinner fall is both in the morning and evening (Pobst). This Siphlonurus occidentalis is commonly referred to as the _______________________.

16. Two more important mayfly hatches occur in the fall. One is brown and the other is more reddish brown (Heptagenia). What are the common names of these two mayflies?

17. This large caddis also does not come off profusely, but when you seem them on the water, get ready to change patterns. It is large with a reddish orange body and mottled wings. Many books refer to this caddis as the ___________.

Answers for Late Summer and Fall

15. Western Gray Drake
16. Mahogany Dun and Western Red Quill
17. This large caddis is often called the Giant Orange Sedge, Orange Caddis and the October Caddis.

So, now it is time to organize your fly box and stock up on missing patterns. You may want to take a small felt pen and label the names in your fly boxes. Hefle in his book, Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams, suggests 12 nymph patterns. I agreed with most of his choices, although a few were unfamiliar to me. Some of them are old standbys and found in most Montana fly shops. The most commonly used nymph patterns are the Prince Nymph, Beadhead Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Zug Bug, Beadhead Red Squirrel, Beadhead Krystal Flash Caddis, Copper John and various stonefly patterns.

To help newcomers to this sport, I have included a list of photographs of the more popular patterns. I have listed them in the same order as the questions posed above. I remember how embarrassed I was at a take-out when an outfitter, who I had worked for, asked me if I had seen any flavilinea. Had he asked me if I had seen any small Slate-Wing Olives I may have been able to hide my embarrassment. See if you can identify the following patterns. The next section will cover information on tips and techniques for fishing from the top to the bottom. The collective information was garnered from published authors who are considered experts in the field, but first identify the following patterns.

18. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of Cabellas -- BWO Dun

Genus or Specie Name: Baetis
Approximate season: Throughout the season
Water habitat: Varied but tend to prefer shallow riffles and runs
Identifiable traits: Slate, gray wings with olive body (light to dark)
Hook size: 14-24; most common is #16, 18
Distinguishing features for the dun: Olive or olive-brown with gray wings
Distinguishing features for the nymph: slender and tapered; three tails
Popular patterns: Blue-Wing Olive dun; Pheasant Tail Nymph; Baetis Soft Hackle
Additional Information: The baetis group are fast swimmers and subject to behavioral drift. (Hefle). Swisher and Richards in their book, Selective Trout, recommend using the smaller size when an overlap of insects are on the water.

Photo Property of Central Flies -- Blue Wing Olive

Photo Property of Round Rocks -- Serendipity Olive BH

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19. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of Central Flies -- March Brown

Genus or Specie Name: Mayfly, Rhithrogena morrisoni and Rhitorogena hageni

Approximate season: Early season, late winter

Water habitat: Fast water; they migrate to slower water

Identifiable traits: Large and brown, they are the first big mayflies of the season

Hook size: #14-16

Distinguishing features for the dun: Mottled wings, brown body, two tails

Distinguishing features for the nymph: Flat heads, squat bodies (clingers) 3 tails

Popular patterns: March Brown; A.P. Olive; Mercer's Poxy Back; Hefle's March Brown Flymph; March Brown Comra-Dun

Additional Information: Subject to drift and dislocation. Emergence takes place in the afternoon.

Photo property of Central Flies -- March Brown Nymph

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20. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Add photograph

Genus or Specie Name: Skwala

Approximate season: Early season; late winter

Water habitat: Moderate to fast water with good levels of oxygen
Identifiable traits: Olive to olive-brown with dark markings; ¾-inch in length

Hook size: #8-10

Distinguishing features for the dun: Overall appearance is very dark with lighter under-belly.

Popular patterns: Parachute Adams; Olive-Black Stimulator; Olive-foam Skwala

Additional Information: Look for temperatures in the mid 40's. Although this is a very popular hatch to fish on the Bitterroot River and Clark's Fork, keep in mind that it is a crap shoot regarding the weather!

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21. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of Madison River Fishing Company -- Elk Hair Caddis

Family Name: Brachycentridae -- Grannon stonefly (Black Caddis; Mother's Day Caddis -- B. occidentalist)

Approximate season: Early season

Water habitat: Riffles and runs

Identifiable traits: 3/8 to ½ inch; olive to olive-brown

Hook size: #18-14

Distinguishing features for the dun: Green body and tan wings

Distinguishing features for the nymph: Dark green body

Popular patterns: American Grannom (Schwiebert); Cased Caddis Larva; Beadhead Caddis Larva; Morrish's HW Caddis Pupa; LaFontaine Olive Diving Caddis (Hefle)

Additional Information: As case builders, the larvae are subject to drift. They pupate in moderately fast water. The pupae exit their cases and swim to the surface mostly during the evening. When they reach the surface, they split the pupal skin and escape into the air.

Photo Property Madison River Fly Company -- Goddard Caddis
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22. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo Property of Round Rocks -- Midge

Photo Property of Round Rocks -- Griffith Midge

Family Name: Chironomidae

Approximate season: Throughout the season, but early season midges wake up the trout.
Water habitat: Slower water
Identifiable traits: They are tiny and look a little like mosquitos. They come in multiple sizes and colors, and I must confess that they are too much of a challenge for me.
Hook size: 22-16
Distinguishing features for the adult: Long slender bodies with long legs
Distinguishing features of the pupae: Long slender bodies that hang vertically below the surface film.
Popular patterns: Griffith's Gnat; Midge; Brassie Nymph; Beadhead Midge Pupa
Additional Information: Similar to caddis, midges live as larva on the bottom of slow water streams and spring creeks. They emerge as pupae and hang under the surface film for long distances prior to emergence. They are tiny and often cluster close together, which some patterns imitate. They must be tied small and slender.

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23. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of Central Flies -- PMD

Genus Name: Ephemerella inermis, infrequens (PMD's; Hendricksons, Sulfers)
Approximate season: Some pre-season but mostly post-run-off or early summer
Water habitat: Wide variety of water conditions, but they seek out water with high levels of oxygen so look for them hatching in slow-moving riffles.
Identifiable traits: Typically small; dull yellow to light yellow-olive
Hook size: #16-18
Distinguishing features for the dun: Light to dark gray wings, yellow-olive body
Distinguishing features for the nymph: Olive-brown body, three tails
Popular patterns: Light Cahill; PMD Emerger; PMD Cripple; Beadhead PMD; Flashback Hare's Ear.
Additional Information: In his book, Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams, Hefle suggests using a "pattern that matches the natural that is dominant in the stream on the day you are fishing." This requires spending a little time with a net. Most of the experts frown on using stomach pumps, as it can be potentially lethal to a fish. BWO's and PMD's are MUST HAVE patterns for any Montana river or stream. The PMD's are subject to drift, and interestingly they return to the bottom more than once during emergence. Not all of the PMD's emerge in the surface film. Some emerge in the water column, which is the reason that a PMD soft-hackle wet fly works so well. (Hefle) The PMD hatch is fun because you may use a dun, an emerger or even a nymph right through the hatch.

Note: The Pale Evening Dun, E. invarie, comes off a little later in the summer during early evening, and it is strikingly similar to a PMD.

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24. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of River Bum

Genus or Specie Name: Ephemerella grandis, doddsi
Approximate season: Early season - run-off and post run-off
Water habitat: Both spring creeks and faster water on rivers noted for clean, cool water
Identifiable traits: This fly is a fat, juicy, large fly not seen in large numbers
Hook size: Size #10 2XL (Dick Pobst)
Distinguishing features for the dun: Lead-gray wings, green body with yellow hues
Distinguishing features for the nymph: More dark in color from olive brown to a reddish brown, the nymphs are crawlers and as such are more portly, size #8-10
Popular patterns: Green Drake Wulff; Green Drake Compara-Dun; Western Green Paradrake. Some searcher nymphs work quite well such as the Zug Bug; Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear or a bulked up Pheasant Tail Nymph.
Additional Information: The hatches are typically thin so if you see a couple of these bugs on the water, start off with a dun pattern right away.

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25. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo Property of Madison River Fishing Company -- Salmonfy

Genus or Specie Name: Stonefly, Pteronarcys californica
Approximate season: Pre-run-off - runoff - post-run-off, mid June to early July
Water habitat: Clear, cool, highly oxygenated freestone rivers and streams
Identifiable traits: Stretching from one to one and a half inches in length, wait until one of these giant, orange colored monsters crawls down your neck!
Hook size: #10-6 XL
Distinguishing features for the dun: Long, folding lead gray wings with large antennae. The head displays a little orange, but fat underbelly is a pale orange.
Distinguishing features for the nymph: The nymph has a dark, segmented body with a dark brown wing-case and a short tail.
Popular patterns: Just ask for a Salmonfly in any shop and they will show you their favorites. Nymphs: Montana Stone; Bitch Creek; Kaufmann Stone; Smurf Stone etc.
Additional Information: Montana is reknown for its Salmonfly hatches on the Big Hole, Madison, Blackfoot and Rock Creek to name just a few. It is the egg-laying females that trout hungrily await. The sun is usually warming up the morning dew when the females fly off the shrubs and trees and head for the water. Remember, Golden Stoneflies often overlap with the Salmonfly hatch. If you are getting rejections with the large stonefly, switch to a smaller stimulator, especially one that has both orange and gold in the pattern.

Photo Property of Madison River Fishing Company -- Bitch Creek Nymph

Photo Property of Round Rocks -- Stimulator (Salmonflies or Golden Stones)
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26. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo Property of Madison River Fishing Company -- Golden Stonefly

Genus or Specie Name: Stonefly, Calineuria californica
Approximate season: Run-off and post-run-off, June to mid-July
Hook size: #6-10 3X long
Distinguishing features for the adult: A bit smaller than the salmonfly, the golden stonefly is typically one inch long in the body. The wings are light brown and the body is light brown and yellow.
Distinguishing features for the nymph: The abdomen is light to dark with noticeable light banding.
Popular patterns: Golden Stonefly Nymph; Beadhead Golden Stone; Brook's Stone; Mercer's Brown Stone.
Additional Information: The color of both the adult and nymph can vary greatly in the yellow tones, yellow-brown and even light brown with yellow markings. They prefer fast water. They are the predators of the aquatic insect world and actively crawl around, but they do not drift much. They are vulnerable to trout during their migration to the shore. Weighted patterns with additional split-shot is recommended.

Photo Property of Madison River Fishing Company -- Stimulator

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27. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of River Bum

Genus or Specie Name: Isoperla
Approximate season: Pre-run-off; post-run-off; early summer
Water habitat: Clean, cool fast water
Identifiable traits: Generally around ½ inch in length, light tan to a bright yellow body with light brown wings with two tails.
Hook size: #10-12 3x long
Distinguishing features for the adult: Two flat, brown wings on top of light or yellow abdomen.
Distinguishing features for the nymph: Slender, tapered bodies
Popular patterns: Little Yellow Sally; Blond Mormon Girl; Little Yellow Stone
Additional Information: Trout key on these abundant stoneflies during migration from the riffles to slower water, where they crawl up into the vegetation in the afternoon. Females typically deposit their eggs in the evening. However, during the day many of these little stoneflies get blown into the water so if they are swarming around, give one a try.
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28. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Photo property of River Bum

Genus or Specie Name: Mayfly. Tricorythodes minutes
Approximate season: Late summer, August through September
Water habitat: Slower currents and spring creeks with silty bottoms (Clark Fork River)
Identifiable traits: Tiny white wing with dark body; spinner wings fold out flat
Hook size: 22-24. Again, I would suggest using a very small parachute Adams with a trailing Trico pattern tied off the shank of the Adam's hook with a 6x or 7x tippet.

Photo property of River Bum

Popular patterns: Trico; Trico spinner
Additional Information: The hatch usually begins early in the morning with a spinnerfall a few hours later. They often blanket the river. Because of their short lives, over-lapping generations continue throughout the late summer and into the fall.
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29. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern

Property of Fly Fishing Outfitters -- Mahogany Dun

Genus: Mayfly, Paraleptophlebia
Approximate season: Late summer to fall
Water habitat: Gentle riffles, slower water and spring creeks
Identifiable traits: Clear wings, mahogany or brown body,
Hook size: #18-14
Distinguishing features for the dun: They are slender.
Popular nymph patterns: Copper John, CDC Pheasant Tail Beadhead Emerger and Lawson's Floating Nymph
Additional Information: The Mahogany Duns emerge in the morning and hatch in the evening. Hefle points out that the Mahogany Dun is also called the Blue Quill and the Slate-winged Mahogany Dun

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30. Name this Insect or Fly Pattern (Aquatic Crustaceans)

Photo Property of Round Rocks -- Scud

Approximate season: Fresh water crustaceans spend their entire lives in the water.
Water habitat: Slow, clean, well-oxygenated streams (spring creeks) and lakes
Identifiable traits: Looking like shrimp or pill bugs, scuds come in a wide range of colors from ¼ to ½ inch. Color is often determined by the surrounding vegetation.
Hook size: 16-10
Additional Information: Scuds come out from hiding and feed in low light. Use a dead-drift or VERY slow retrieves. According to Phillip Rowley in his book, Fly Patterns for Stillwaters, a "golden olive or dirty yellow-colored scud pattern is a good choice during the fall months....Some scuds have a distinct orange spot. This is the brood pouch or marsupium of the pregnant females so keep that in mind at the tying bench and on the water."
Patterns: Sparkle Shrimp; Glass Bead Scud, Pearl Shrimp, Dubbed Scud

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Tips for Hiring a Fishing Guide

Tips for Hiring a Fishing Guide (Fishing Tips 101) Fishing Tips 101 Fishing Tips 101 is a freshwater fishing resource for beginning and intermediate bass and trout anglers. Companion web sites include Guide to Highway 395, Bass and Trout Fishing Digest and Glacier to Yellowstone, a Montana fly fishing guide. Copyright 2007 David Archer « Fly Rods, Plastic Creatures and Bass | Main | Montana Hatches - Fishing from the Top to the Bottom »

Tips for Hiring a Fishing Guide

Let me begin by saying that after 15 years of being a fly-fishing guide in western Montana, I offended a party of fly fishermen on my first spring outing of the season. They had come to fish the Blackfoot River, a little early, I might add. After three days with this very large party, their complaint against me was awkwardly relayed to me by the guide in charge. I was shocked. I must be honest in telling you I was hurt and angry, but then I had to realistically appraise my guiding skills and etiquette.

Had I become complacent and sloppy through the years? After much reflection, I had to shoulder most of the blame. We were fishing in coffee-colored water. Our Woolly Buggers, shackled and weighted down with lead, resembled some primordial serpent. The runoff was late and especially heavy. As a schoolteacher, I was unaccustomed to fishing in the manner that all of us were forced to fish; generally the runoff is usually over by the time school is out. Although my clients caught about the same numbers of fish as the clients in the other boats, I failed to be assertive and take charge, according to one of the clients.

On one of the days, I was encouraged into a friendly conversation on incompetent teachers and tenure laws. I threw caution to the wind and laid the blame on the shoulders of lazy administrators who fail to follow due-process procedures and document. This conversation followed a request by the client to exchange political views with a Democrat. The man had promised his wife he would yearly hold at least one civil conversation with a Democrat, and I was his man.

I thought to myself, don't get pulled into a political debate. In spite of the slow fishing, everyone seemed in jovial spirits, so I threw caution to the wind, again! I had broken another rule: Don't discuss your personal life, your politics or your religion. Apparently my behavior and views were brought up at the round table that night. On the third day I broke from the pack (nine guides) and headed for the upper Clark Fork. That was the day the fishing improved dramatically on the Blackfoot, and you can guess the rest of the story.
My worst offense, however, was reserved for the last day when I gave casting advice to an elderly gentlemen who had been fly fishing for 40 years and loved to either encroach on his partner's water or cast out in the middle of the river. I had become critical. I heard it in my voice. I drove home from the Blackfoot that fourth morning reflecting on the qualities that I admired in the top guides whom I worked with through the years, and I took stock of myself as a guide.

The following year, at age 52, I retired myself as a guide, knowing that I could no longer keep up with the younger, more passionate guides. Let me share with you the responsibilities of both the guide and the client. Hopefully, this will help you communicate with your outfitter in selecting a guide who is best suited for you.

Guide Responsibilities
1.Be an accomplished fly fisher, a cautious rower and an enthusiastic teacher.
2.Hold a state guide license and be trained in first aid and CPR.
3.Work hard to help your client catch fish. Never give up or become discouraged.
4.Be friendly and honest. Never inflate the fishing prospects, and allow a client to cancel a trip due to inclement weather or poor fishing conditions.
5.Be punctual. Be organized, and carry extra equipment and supplies.
6.Provide a classy lunch!
7.If you are with a large group and you are having good luck on a particular pattern, share with your fellow guides.
8.Know when to join in conversations and when to withdraw and allow privacy or just quiet time.
9.Ask the clients how much instruction they want. Gauge their response. Many clients find themselves invited on trips, and yet they are really not interested in learning a new skill, not to mention feeling the pressure from a guide. Many of these clients are content to enjoy the float trip in the company of their friends.
10.Never take for granted the natural beauty that surrounds us. Share in the wonders of nature and the catching and releasing of wild Montana trout.

Responsibilities of the Client

Be realistic in your expectations and as well as your fishing skills. As a guide of many years, I would just cringe when I had a client who booked a trip in the heat of August, had little or no rudimentary casting skills and fully expected to catch a trophy trout that day. A few years back I heard a guide good-naturally say to a client who was denigrating the river, "Well, the fish are here all right, but like a lot of folks, they're not hungry all the time. That's why they call it fishing, not catching."

If a guide tells you he wants you to cast no more than six inches from the shore, he's serious! If you didn't have the skills to do so he wouldn't ask you. A client who spends a fortune to come to fish in Montana and then winces when he looses a few bucks' worth of flies always puzzles me. If you're not losing flies, you're not fishing hard.
Also, dress appropriately. If you do not have waders, wear an old pair of pants and a pair of tennis shoes. At least once a year I would have a client who would show up in dress pants and Gucci loafers. Realistically, this limits the guide's opportunities to stop the boat and let clients wade fish favorite hot spots.

Speaking of flies... Please ask the guide ahead of time if you are expected to pay for the flies. Some shop guides merely add the flies onto your total bill and deduct any flies you didn't use that day. Some outfitters and guides make it a policy to provide the flies free in the hopes that the tip they receive will compensate their loss of flies for the day. Other outfitters and guides bill the client for each fly and leader used. I have worked under both systems. I will tell you honestly that many times I will have given up $20 worth of flies and leaders. As an independent guide, I paid retail prices for flies and leaders most of the time.

Regarding tips (no objectivity here!). Did you enjoy your day? Did the guide work hard at getting you over fish? Did you have a gourmet or lavish lunch? Was the trip well organized? I won't share trade secrets about how much the outfitter pays the guides, but I will tell you that the guide is responsible for all of his equipment and insurance. With few exceptions, the lunches are made by the guide or paid for by the guide. Shuttling the guide's rig usually costs $25 a trip. Boats and rafts are usually replaced within six or seven years at around $4,000. Trailers are forever breaking down. The season is very short. Up-front yearly start-up costs translate to three guide trips before the guide makes a profit. OK - guides do have a great job, but tips are greatly appreciated.

What type of guide do you want? Most people rarely make requests of the outfitter in selecting a guide. Are you new to the sport? Do you really want a day's worth of concentrated instruction? Some guides do poorly with beginners; others never know when to let up. Good communication between the guide and client easily resolves this dilemma. I generally push and demand a great deal up until lunch. After lunch I let my beginners just have fun. When they need instruction, I wait for them to ask for it. Ask your outfitter for the best instructor for a beginner, and if you are an accomplished angler, ask for the best guide.

Do you want a young guide who bursts with enthusiasm, rows the boat with a fierce macho pride, and jumps up and down like a cheerleader? Your outfitter has them. (God, I am getting old.) Be open with the outfitter regarding what you want in a guide. And finally, I would like to close with some advice to novices. Take a class before you book a trip. Check out a fly casting VCR tape. I recommend Doug Swisher's instructional tape on casting, as well as his book. But if you want to learn on your vacation, ask for a walk-in trip instead of a float trip. Trust me, you will learn more in one day of instruction on a creek catching dozens of seven-inch trout than you would spending a couple of days casting from a boat with no previous experience.

Posted by David Archer on April 8, 2010 12:49 PM | Permalink

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Lower Sacramento River

Redding, California - Oct. 25, 2007
The Sacramento River from Redding to Red Bluff

So where does a former Montana fly fishing guide residing in Chiloquin, Oregon get his float fishing river fix. Perhaps the nearby Williamson River, maybe the Rogue or the Klamath or even the Trinity, but my choice will probably be the broad, big muscled lower Sacramento River. Flowing from the Keswick dam at the outlet of Lake Shasta, the lower Sacramento River flows through the town of Redding on its way to the San Francisco Bay. Miles of prime trout habitat line both sides of the river all the way down to Red Bluff. Offering four separate salmon runs, along with steelhead, the trout are healthy and fat. According to Michael Caranci, director of outfitters for The Fly Shop in Redding, California, when the dam operators were required to control flows and water temperatures to protect salmon runs and salmon fry, the trout benefited, and the fishing gets better year after year. I met with Michael at The Fly Shop, which may be seen from I-5 just north of the Churn Creek Exit. With October being their busiest month, Michael estimated they would finish the month with close to 400 trips. In spite of the hectic flow of anglers asking to book if there were any cancellations and the phone ringing constantly, Michael took the time to describe and promote the lower Sacramento River. I was impressed, but then maybe that is the reason The Fly Shop was voted the "Top Shop" by the fly fishing industry in 2003.

Two of the most productive months of the year are April and October. March and April basically kick off the season with prolific hydropsyche caddis hatches. The "Mother's Day Caddis Hatch" bursts on the scene blanketing the air with millions of bugs on warm, sunny days. Michael said, "The trout gorge themselves and eat, eat, eat, but the problem sometime becomes too many of the real thing surrounding an imitation." The caddis continue to hatch throughout the season and into the summer during the last hour of the day, which provides some good dry fly fishing. Many guides, in spite of the hatches, continue to fish under the surface with sparkle pupas, peeking caddis, Bird's Nest or bead-head nymphs in size 12 to 14, along with smaller emerger patterns. In May sporadic "hatches" of salmonflies appear through out the system but not on a predictable basis. Each year the salmonflies presence in the river grows.

With rising temperatures of summer often exceeding 100 in July and August, the pressure of anglers on the river wanes, but the fish continue feeding in water temperatures from 55 to 60 degrees. I met a preacher working on his sermon on his tailgate at the Bonnyview Bridge near the water's edge. He said he liked fishing from his kick boat during the summer. With his legs submerged in cold water and his torso absorbing the hot rays of summer, he said he experiences heaven and hell in the same moment. He told me to emphasize to readers that sitting this close to the water was actually about ten degrees cooler. He said he keeps himself hydrated with lots of water and very busy with good fishing. Typically, however, the first and last hours are the most productive fishing of the day. By late August the nights are cooling and day time temperatures began dropping to the nineties.

By September the first salmon runs appear. By October the salmon are busy building reds and kicking up debris and dislodging nymphs. The trout move in behind the spawning beds and feast on nymphs and the loose eggs that get washed downstream. Michael described it as "salmon omelets." Michael advised me to be especially vigilant when wading so as to not disturb or destroy the beds, which are easily identified by the light-colored depressions in the gravel. One successful technique to employ during October is a strike indicator, lead split-shot, a single egg pattern and one or two nymphs.

In spite of the increased pressure during October and November, guides spread themselves out over seventy miles. Michel stated thattypically by Thanksgiving or earlier the rains sweep up the valley and blow the river out below Cow and Cottonwood Creek, but it is rare that the upper stretch will be gone for more than a day or two at a time. That is actually one of the big assets of the Lower Sac, that it remains a viable fishery almost all winter long.". Most anglers wait for spring, but Michael pointed out that late winter on the lower Sacramento River offers good fishing between storm fronts. The latter part of the winter does not have the impact on water flows that November and December experience. Although air temperatures hold in the 50's and 60's and the fish slow in their feeding activity, more larger fish in the 18-inch range are caught during this time period with an added bonus of late winter baetis hatches. By early spring trout are gorging themselves on alevin, salmon fry, and gaining up to one pound a month from these tiny fish with the egg sacks still attached. If there is a dry fly period, it is in March and April when the caddis return and a new season is heralded.

To contact Michael and book a trip with The Fly Shop, you may reach him by phone at 1-800-669-3474 or at Michael@theflyshop.com or www.theflyshop.com

Launch Ramps and Access Points: Keep in mind that the time of year and the water levels flowing out of the dam determine whether wading is a viable option. Because the current is so strong, I recommend inflatable suspenders and a wading staff. For a detailed guide to the river, I recommend that you purchase the map, Sacramento River Fishing Access & Accommodations. The map may be purchased at The Fly Shop in Redding or by visiting their web site at www.streamtime.com. I welcome all scrutiny, corrections and advice, as this article will be a work in progress over the next year. Contact David Archer at dave@glaciertoyellowstone.com

2007 Shuttle Fees from The Fly Shop:
Posse Grounds as far as Sacramento RV Park...$25
Posse Grounds to Anderson...$30
As high as Bonnyview to Balls Ferry...$35
As high as SAC RV to the Barge Hole (Balls Ferry road near old mouth of Battle Creek)
...$40
As high as Balls Ferry to Jelly's...$45
As high as Balls Ferry to Bend Bridge...$50
Add map 1

1. Posse Park Boat Launch + Wading: From I-5 take Highway 299 West and make a right onto Auditorium Drive (convention center). You may also reach the Posse Grounds from Cypress Street by turning north on Park Marina Drive, which ends at the convention center. This is the first launch past the A.C.I.D. Irrigation Dam a couple of miles below Lake Shasta's Keswick Dam. The launch site is behind the rodeo grounds near the convention center and provides good parking for all sized rigs and excellent access to Posse Riffle, as well as the numerous riffles and runs down to Redding's famous Sundial Bridge. During low water periods in the fall, wading anglers have numerous hot spots they may reach in a half mile stretch below the launch. During the summer months the numerous shaded, picnic spots provide welcome relief when temperatures climb to three digits. Turtle Bay Trail, across from the convention center and downstream from the launch, also provides access.

Two of Redding's bridges are under construction for the next couple of years. The river has restricted passages in two places.

2. Cypress Street Bridge Area: Exiting from I-5 onto Cypress Street in downtown Redding, move to the left lane and turn left on Hartnell at the light just short of crossing the bridge. This is a business section. Make the first right turn onto Henderson. Look for the sign "Road Ends 400 feet ahead." Turn right here and drive behind the businesses and park. Take the dirt path towards the Cypress Street bridge or turn downstream fifty yards and fish the riffle and pool by the old bridge abutment. This is a popular spot for the float fishing guides before they cross over and fish the western bank of the river. Crossing the bridge, anglers will find some water above and below the bridge.

3. South Bonnyview Road (Bridge) Launch: This is an excellent boat launch and parking area, although it doesn't provide good water for fly fishing in the near vicinity. From Posse launch to South Bonnyview is a half day float.

4. Cascade Park: Exit I-5 west on South Bonnyview Road. Turn left on Market Street or Highway 273 and then left again on Girvan and proceed a short distance to Cascade Park. I did not get far without waders. The park is adjacent to islands, although the channel was very shallow. South of the park is Niles Riffle, but I never made it - another time.

5. Anderson River Park (launch): This is another spot that I missed. The Fly Shop provides maps to local wading spots, and this is one of them. South of Redding on I-5, take the Deschutes Road Exit (Factory Outlet Stores). Go west and turn left (north) on Balls Ferry Road and then right on Dodson Lane to Anderson River Park. Follow the trail down river for good riffles. An improved boat launch is located on Rupert Road, which may be accessed from a loop off Dodson Lane.

6. Deschutes Road Bridge: From I-5 take the Deschutes Road Exit a couple of miles east to the Deschutes Road Bridge.

7. Balls Ferry Bridge (Bridge) Launch: From I-5 take the Gas Point Road Exit and follow Balls Ferry Road until it intersects with Ash Creek (sharp corner). Follow Ash Creek about a mile to the boat launch. (The bar here serves a good burger.) It is five miles to Cottonwood, a quaint little town close to I-5.

8. Reading Island: From I-5 take the Gas Point Road Exit and follow Balls Ferry Road until it intersects with Adobe Road. Turn right and proceed to the parking area less than two miles. Maps are not always accurate; the public campground has been closed by the county, and the launch is only good during high flows onto a side channel, and even then for smaller boats. Now, I did talk to a lady who lived close by and was walking her dog. She said she often sees fly fishermen casting on the main stem a short distance from the parking lot.

9. Old Mouth Battle Creek (Launch and primitive camping): The primitive camping is just that - primitive and rocky! Look for a drop off onto a dirt road. There are a couple of water holes to cross, but they are solid underneath. Nonetheless, after a rain this could be a potential mess without four wheel drive. The beach is hard packed cobblestone, and during October it is a popular spot for local salmon anglers (especially during the weekend). It is also a launch for boaters heading up to the Barge Hole just upstream. This section offers a beautiful riffle that left me frustrated and perplexed. I chalked it up to a full moon - not my skills! I talked to two neighborhood river watchers who said that during the caddis hatches the riffle comes alive with trout just at dark. From I-5 take the Jellys Ferry Road, cross the bridge and continue until you crest a plateau and see the river stretching out below you. From the crest, some anglers hike down to the river and fish Lawrence Riffle. As you drop off the crest down the slope, you will see on your left a long beach with a primitive boat launching spot. Just ahead on the left in the trees is the turn-off to this primitive site.

10. Jellys Ferry Bridge (Launch): From I-5 take the Jellys Ferry Road to the bridge and parking area and boat launch. (No camping.) This is a rough boat ramp; during low water periods you will be launching in wet sand and mud. I would recommend 4x4 vehicles after a rain. The site is run by the Department of Interior, but it does not allow camping.

11. Bend Bridge (Launch): From I-5 take the Jellys Ferry Road Exit. Turn right on Bend Ferry Road by the Bend RV Park (916-527-6289) and store and cross the bridge to a county launch site. Fish the Lower Bend Riffle or take the trail on the north side of the parking lot to riffle water upstream.

RV Camping Parks

JGW RV Park: The JGW RV Park is located on Riverland Drive on the west side of Interstate-5, south of the Knighton Road exit. Exit 673 is approximately five miles south of Redding. (530) 365-7965. Reservations: 1 800-469-5910. www.jgwrvpark.com. Email: jgwrvpark@charter.net. (In the north corner of the park is a 5-strand, barb-wire fence. Go around it at the river's edge and walk upstream 100 yards to a great riffle, where I met a couple of fat rainbows. The resort provides a rough boat launch.

Sacramento River RV Resort: The Sacramento River RV Resort is located on Riverland Drive on the west side of Interstate-5, south of the Knighton Road exit next to JGW RV. Exit 673 is approximately five miles south of Redding. (530) 365-6402. www.sacramentoriverrvresort.com. Email info@sacramentoriverrvresort.com. Beautifully shaded, the resort offers a concrete boat launch for high water conditions and a dirt launch for low water conditions. Launch fees for non-guests is a bargain $3.

Marina RV Park: The Marina RV Park is located at 2615 Park Marina Drive. Although it is not a park like setting with lots of shade, it is within walking distance to restaurants and movie theaters. The launch fee for non-guests is $22.

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