The Calves are dropping
- This topic has 8 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated Mar 11, 2010 at 4:25 pm by
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After too many months of no fishing and too many hours in airplane seats, I got out for the first trip of the season. In the Paradise Valley, the calves are dropping, the snow has left the valley, the shelf ice is just about gone and the river is coming alive. Spring may not be next week, but Winter is losing its grip.
Got in about 5 hours of decent fishing on the upper Yellowstone near Yankee Jim Canyon. It was a beautiful day, 50F, and a bit of wind. (Montana normal). The kayak and I didn’t have to cover much water to connect with enough fish to allow me to remember how its done.
My biggest problem was remembering all the required elements for an IA post. I think I got them all.
Boat shot – if using a boat
Fish shots – if indeed fish are caught
Probably my best ever Whitefish on a 4wgt-20″Some scenics
The obligatory food shot – I guess snacks count if that’s all you got
Hopefully I captured all the required elements and didn’t forget anything on the river. Another season begins.
Do you row through the rough sections of yankee jim in your canoe? it’s pretty nasty from what i remember.
that is an impressive whitefish (if there is a such thing)
Mike, what about the snow pack. Can we expect a low water year out there? Thanks, Greg Ellis
Greg,
Richard Parks at Parks Fly Shop in Gardiner is one of the most reliable forecaster out here and this is what he’s saying now: http://parksflyshop.com/news.htm
Additionally, here’s the link to the snow melt forecasts: ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/data/snow/update/west.txt As you can see, there’s lots %s below 80% in the Montana drainages. As Richard says, it won’t be as bad as 2007 but will probably a little short of water in Aug.
Do you row through the rough sections of yankee jim in your canoe? it’s pretty nasty from what i remember.
That is an impressive whitefish (if there is a such thing)Adam
I don’t float Yankee Jim Canyon for two reasons. Its pretty hairy in spots and the fishing isn’t that good. Especially this time of year, because it literally gets no sun for most the day and the fish move up or down river into the more exposed pools and flats where the water is warmer.
The first pic of the kayak is about 1/4 mile above the mouth of the canyon where the Joe Brown access is located. I put in there and paddle/fish upsteam away from certain death not toward it.
Whitefish are at their peak in late Fall, Winter and early Spring. They fight much harder that the equivlent size trout. Trust me, a 20″ whitefish on a 7′-6″ 4wgt with 4X tippet is a tussel in flowing water.
Mike I love the fact you posted a picture of the misunderstood whitie! It always cracks me up to see someone be so excited to hook up, enjoy a good fight, and then be disappointed because their catch was a whitefish. It is all about the hook up to me!
Nice post!
Joel
Mike I love the fact you posted a picture of the misunderstood whitie! It always cracks me up to see someone be so excited to hook up, enjoy a good fight, and then be disappointed because their catch was a whitefish. It is all about the hook up to me!
Nice post!
Joel
If Whitefish could just JUMP – Oh Boy!
The cheekers were stacked up like pigs going to the slaughter Sunday. Banged a ton of them………even got my two nicest trout of the year. I think that winter has loosened its kung-fu grip and things are starting to turn around. Soon, the annual pilgrimage to Rocker, MT will happen, thus stating that Summer has officially begun.
You better be ready, Ron!
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