A Basic Fly Box

[andrew_bell]

So Guys,
If I am heading from Aussie to fish Montana & Wyoming in mid June to Mid July, what should I include in my basic Flybox ???

[dusty montgomery]

Andrew-
Those two states have many rivers w/ different aquatic and terrestrial options. Do you yet know which rivers you will be fishing? While there are basics that I think would cover most, if not all of those two states’ rivers, the selection could be narrowed down.
Dusty

[Steve Dally]

Tried to do this last night but if I take too long writing a post it loses it

[andrew_bell]

Tried to do this last night but if I take too long writing a post it loses it  :'(

Anyway having been through the same travel from Oz to fish out west past, my advice is pack a simple selection of generics, and buy key hatch specific hot flies when you land in a particular drainage.

You could go nuts trying to tye/buy it all in advance and then end up buying flies anyway. Remember your only hitting a particular water for a day or two.

I’d take basically a box of flies.

Start with the basics

BH PT flashback nymphs 18-14
GB Hares Ears 10-16
If your tying whip up some 16-18-20 unweighted HEs they do well with floatant as a generic emerger.
Tie some heavy stoneflies, brown and black 8-12. Helpful to sink lighter dropper nymphs.
Don’t forget some BH black aussiestyle generic nymphs 12-16. If your tying do a 007 without the red tail (Trust me) ;D
Some brown/red San Juan’s

Have some
Parachute Adams 12-18
Stimulators 8-14 Yellow + Orange
Elk Hair Caddis olive, tan, 12-18
Some hoppers Daves Hopper and bring a few of Muz’s Wee Creek Hoppers, tan and yellow. 8-12

Thanks Steve, I have most of this at hand , which is good news

Ok that’s the basics, get you out of a hole stuff.

Now look through your Aussie NZ favorites. The fish often haven’t seen these and its fun fishing stuff from back home, Cool

[Steve Dally]

The CDC emegers should be good.
I’d probably have 4 flies in an orangey/yellow sulphur 16-18
I’d have a few in olive 14, Flavinea.
And I’d tie some brown 10s or 12s

And I’d tie some on a short hook as a midge emerger in gray 20s

For Gray Reef etc, I’d buy your midge pupa over here. Lots better range, local favorites.

Thanks for the comment too _ I’m full or good ideas
or something else LOL

Cheers

[Steve Dally]

BTW I did really well with the Matchams Emerger tied in a range of colors. See my piece in Flylife, last year?

[andrew_bell]

LOL Thanks Steve .
I do remember the Matchams and the great piece about wee wets too. I will be bringing a box full of them too.

cheers

[dusty montgomery]

Andrew,
Concerning the Bighorn, by far my favorite Western River, I usually only go during March to avoid crowds. So, I rarely, if ever, use dries. It is nasty cold for a Texan, but the fishing is awesome. Most of the time I will be throwing a tandem rig which includes any combination of the following:
Scud (olive, brown, tan)
BH Pheasant Tails
BH Hare’s Ear
San Juan Worms
Various Midges (Disco!)
Streamers (slumpbusters, buggers, etc.)
I am sure there are other equally effective patterns; these have worked wonders for me. I would get a map. Look for a hole called “Meat Hole.” It is between Afterbay and 3-mile.

And most importantly, Andrew, buy your booze/beer in Harding as Ft. Smith and the river are on the Crow Reservation and one cannot get beer there.
Good luck,
Dusty

[andrew_bell]

Thanks Dusty, all good info, I will definately check out the Meat Hole’ …Thanks

[Aaron Otto]

Andrew,

Just got back from the BH and Spring Creeks around Livingston;

http://picasaweb.google.com/FazeeshPimp/Montana08

Ray Charles  http://deserttrout.com/files/73883-64800/Ray_Charles_how_to.pdf
Soft hackle Sow Bug http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/print.cfm?parentID=140

Wonder Nymph  http://www.danica.com/flytier/bsalzburg/wonder_nymph.htm
Harrop’s: Transitional Midge, Adult CDC Midge, CDC Beatis Dun – shot me a PM if u need recipie I have a rough one I can send u for most of Rene’s stuff.
Small P.T.s –
Scuds –
Bunny Beatis – Picture in slide show  above -local guide favorite
Mother’s Day Caddis http://deserttrout.com/files/73883-64800/Mothes_Day_Caddis.pdf

I hope this helps. If you need a hand figuring out the steps or ties for any of them shoot me a note. I’m happy to help you figure it out.

Aaron

[dusty montgomery]

Ray Charles

x2

So effective, even a blind man can catch fish with it.

[andrew_bell]

Hey ,thanks very much Aaron, your great pic gallery has really got me going. 😛

Those recipeis all look good thanks, I gather playing along with ‘Ray Charles’ is a must.
I’ll let you know how I go.

and if you are ever heading to N.Z S.I. just let me know.

[Author]

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