High Country Flies

Snake River – 10.16.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:18:24 +0000

Flows:

591 cfs. @ Jackson Dam

1,520 cfs. @ Moose

2,190 cfs. @ confluence w/Flat Creek

2,770 @ Alpine

Flies:

Dries: BWO Parachute (#16-18), Butthead Mahogany Dun (#16), Sparkle Parachute BWO (#16-18), Drake Snake (#14), Mr. Rapidan (#14-16), Yellow Humpy (#16)

Nymphs: Torin’s Tungsten Bead Soft Hackle (#14), Rainbow Warrior (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#14-18)

Streamers: Kyle’s Super Yummy (#6), Wigglin’ Bugger (#4), Hot Ass Sculpin (#6-8), Chartreuse Zonker

Comments:

The Bureau of Rec has completed its drawdown of the flow out of Jackson Dam, and the river is running low and clear, which means lots of wading access and good fishing. Continued mild weather has also helped, and the best fishing on the Snake and area tributaries is typically being found late morning through mid-afternoon.

Fishing on the lakes in Grand Teton National Park is improving again as cooler water temps move fish back up into shallower water. Streamers are the way to go, targeting drop-offs. Get out and enjoy it while it’s still open!

We are offering reduced rates on our 1/2 day and full day guided trips for the rest of the season. Please give us a call to book a fall float on the Snake River – (307) 733 – 7210.

Snake River – 9.24.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 20:01:58 +0000

Flows: 2,810 cfs. below Jackson Dam 4,140 cfs. @ Moose 4,370 cfs. @ confluence with Flat Creek 5,150 cfs. @ Alpine Flies: Dries: Drake Snake (#12-14), Ausable Wulff (#12-14), Royal Coachman Trude (#12-16), Elk Hair Caddis brn/copper (#12), orange Stimulator (#12), Parachute Hare's Ear (#14-16), Mahogany Brooks Sprout (#16), Mahogany GT (#14) Nymphs: Serengold Rootbeer (#12), Red Fox Squirrel (#10-14), Hogan's Chubby Cousin (#12-14) Streamers: Bellyache Minnow (#1/0), Morrish's Sculpin (#4), Mini-Loop Sculpin (#6), CH Burgin Bugger (#4) Comments: I believe in shooting straight when it comes to fishing reports, so trust me that it isn't a stretch to say that the Snake is about as good as it gets right now. Steady flows and crisp nighttime temperatures, coupled with warm afternoons, have really turned the quality of the fishing up a notch. Mahoganies, Fall Drakes and caddis patterns are all finding nice fish, and smaller, general attractors such as those listed above are working well. Cool evenings and mornings mean that the streamer fishing is really turning on as well. We expect that the Bureau of Rec will likely start dropping the flow out of Jackson Dam in early Oct. As soon as we have more concrete information on this, we'll be sure to post it. If the weather holds, dropping flows should only improve the fishing, since flows are actually still a little higher than normal for this time of year. Get out and enjoy some of the finest native trout fishing on the planet!

BWO CDC Split Wing Cripple

Howard Cole — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:30:44 +0000

In this edition of HCF’s Fly Tying Recipes, we offer Howard Cole’s “BWO CDC Split Wing Cripple“. As always, each fly pattern shared in our recipe section was designed by the owners, guides or staff at High Country Flies. Check out this recipe to see a larger photo, get fly tying tips and receive expert advice on how to fish this fly most effectively.

What You’ll Need:
Hook: Tiemco 100, sizes 14-22
Thread: 8/0 Uni-thread, Olive Dun
Tail: Amber Z-lon topped with wood duck breast feather
Abdomen: Olive dubbing
Loop : Olive CDC feather
Thorax: Olive dubbing
Wing: Black Z-lon

Tying Tips

Though not apparent in the photo, the Black Z-lon wing is split and canted forward. We suggest tying wing in first.
CDC loop goes between split wings and is tied off in front of wings
Let some of the CDC feather splay backwards over the back half of the fly to aid floatation
By changing sizes and colors, this style pattern can be used to imitate many different mayflies

Fishing Tips

Doubles as a cripple or an emerger
In larger sizes can be used to imitate flavs (Little Green Drake)

Designed by: Howard Cole

Snake River – 9.13.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:09:21 +0000

Flows: 2,810 cfs. below Jackson Dam 4,430 cfs. @ Moose 4,470 cfs. below confluence with Flat Creek 5,480 cfs. @ Alpine Flies: Dries: Snake Drake (#12-16), Potter's Trude (#12-14), Humpy, red (#10-14), Yeager's 409 (#10), Mahogany Parachute (#16), Butthead Mahogany dun (#16), Rootbeer Float (#12-14) Nymphs: Pheasant Tail (#14-18), Torrin's Soft Hackle (#16), Morrish's Hotwire (#16) Streamers: Hickman's Flesh-Eating sculpin (#4), Galloup's #%$ Dungeon (#4) , J.J. Skunk (#6), Garett's Bellydancer (#6) Comments: We're entering that transitional period between late summer and early fall on the Snake, which means shifting to smaller flies (well, smaller for us anyway...), and bigger fish coming up to eat them. Cooler nights mean that we're starting to see more Mahogany and Hecuba, or "Snake Drake" mayflies on the water. Streamers are working better and better on the Snake as well. The J.J. Special is a local pattern that has been a proven fish finder year in and year out, but don't overlook the black and white variation of the J.J, also known as "The Skunk." The Skunk is a "go-to" on the Snake, particularly on overcast days. We often get the question - "what is the best time of year to fish the Snake?" Our answer is invariably, "September," and this season is proving to be no exception. Give us a call at the shop (307-733-7210) if you'd like to experience the Snake in its prime.

Prince Nymph

HCF — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:30:16 +0000

In this edition of HCF’s Fly Tying Recipes, we offer the ”Prince Nymph“. As always, each fly pattern shared in our recipe section was designed by the owners, guides or staff at High Country Flies. Check out this recipe to see a larger photo, get fly tying tips and recieve expert advice on how to fish this fly most effectively.

What You’ll Need:
Hook: Nymph Hook 5 63 41X or 2X Long #8-#16, Tiemco, Dai-Riki
Thread: 3/0 – 8/0 Black; Size to Match Size of Hook

Lead: Lead Diameter should Match Wire of Hook

Tail: Brown Goose or TurkeyBiots (for photographic purposes done here in white)
Body: Peacock Herl Hackle
Wing: White Goose or Turkey Biots
Beard: Brown

Tying Tips

1• Create thread base. Wrap lead wire. Secure lead with thread.
2• Tie in tails. Brown biots should be installed on each side of hook. Tail length should equal hook gap.
3• Tie in gold wire for rib. Tie in 3 or 4 peacockherl at tail set position.
4• Wrap peacock herl forward and tie off leaving enough room at head for beard and wing. Counter wrap rib forward and tie off.
5• Tie in hackle. Make 3 to 4 wraps and secure with thread. Pull top and side barbules down and tie off to create a beard. Length of hackle fibers should be to hook point.
6• For wing, tie in 2 white biots divided. Length should be equal to body. Whip finish

Yellowstone Park Report – 9.7.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:43:33 +0000

Flows: 453 cfs. - Madison River near West Yellowstone 2,440 cfs. - Yellowstone River at Yellowstone Lake Outlet 256 cfs. - Lamar River near Tower Ranger Station Flies: Krystal Leg Beetle (#16), Quigley's Glitter Ant, cinnamon (#16-18), Power Ant, cinnamon (#12), Donkey Kong Hopper (#10-12) Tilt Wing Mahogany (#16), Rusty Spinner (#14-16), Mahogany Brooks Sprout (#16), Quigley's Film Critic Flav (#14), CDC Flav (#14) Comments: With cooling weather, fishing in Yellowstone National Park is picking up again. Terrestrial patterns continue to produce most reliably right now - hoppers, crickets, beetles and ants (particularly cinnamon-colored flying ants) are all working well. In addition, Flavs, Mahoganies and fall Drakes are starting to be seen. The Gibbbon, Madison, Lamar and Slough Creek in particular are all fishing well. The Lamar and Soda Butte are reportedly seeing good spinner falls in the late evening. Be aware that Slough Creek and the Lamar can blow out quickly if there are storms in the area. We would recommend laying off the Firehole for now until the temperatures cool a little more to give the fish a break. Note - please be bear aware when fishing in or near YNP. This has been a very active bear year, with 2 fatalities due to grizzly encounters in the park so far this year. Make plenty of noise, especially when traveling in areas of limited visibility. Carry bear spray (it really does work) and keep it where you can get to it quickly and easily. Please stop by the shop, or give us a ring, for the most up to date info on fishing in YNP.

Review – Simms Guide Jacket

Bruce Smithhammer — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:00:37 +0000

In a marketing world where the dominant paradigm says that everything needs to be re-invented every season or two, the venerable Simms Guide jacket continues to set the benchmark for “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Built to last, devoid of unnecessary bells and whistles, and extensively tested in just about every corner of the globe where water falls from the sky, the Simms Guide Jacket is truly a piece of essential equipment if you’re a year-round angler.

Particular things we really like:

- This jacket sees a lot of use in the fall, when wet weather arrives. Not coincidentally, we tend to fish a lot of streamers and/or chase steelhead in the fall. The big chest pockets on the Guide Jacket don”t just accommodate fly boxes, they swallow the BIG fly boxes you need at this time of year.

- The Guide Jacket has two hidden coil retractors for attaching nippers, pliers, etc. On most other jackets I’ve seen that have this feature, they tend to be more of an annoyance than useful in my opinion. On the Guide Jacket, the retractors (and a number of other technical features) are so well-hidden, I wouldn’t even know they were there when I don’t need them. In short – you can wear this jacket around town and not feel like a tech-weenie.

- The double cuff system (neoprene inner cuff and elasticized, Gore-Tex Performance Shell outer cuff), works great for keeping water from creeping up your sleeve when you need to get your arms wet while releasing that huge fall brown.

- It’s a little thing, but the fleece-lined handwarmer pockets are worth their weight in gold when it’s November and you can no longer feel your fingers.

The Simms Guide Jacket retails for $299.95. High Country Flies has them in stock, just in time for fall – come on by to try one out today.

Green River – 9.4.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:15:41 +0000

Flows: 336 @ Warren Bridge Flies: Dries: Grand Hopper (#6-10), Morrish's Hopper (#8-10), Power Ant (#10-12), Parachute Hare's Ear (#1016), Parachute PMD (#10-16), Purple Haze (#12-16) Streamers: Galloup's Dungeon, black or brown (#4), Garrett's Bellydancer (#4), McCune's Sculpin (#4-6), Conehead Beldar Bugger (#4-6), J.J. Special (#4-8) Comments: With the flow on the Green down to almost 300 cfs. at Warren Bridge now, it's getting a little tough to float the river without a fair bit of bumping and grinding. That said, plenty of good wade fishing exists, primarily on all the public land upstream of Warren, and on various public access spots downstream. Hoppers are out in good numbers, and general terrestrial/attractor patterns are continuing to work well. PMDs and Yellow Sallies are still being seen. Early and late in the day, streamers are still finding the big ones. If you want to fish the Green without having too contend with a lot of boat traffic, this is a great time to hit the river.

Snake River – 9.2.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:43:43 +0000

Flows: 2,810 cfs. below Jackson Dam 4,480 cfs. @ Moose 4,670 below confluence with Flat Creek 5,710 @ Alpine Flies: Dries: Hippie Stomper (#10), Purple Chubby (#10-12), Golden Frankenhopper (#10), Red Parachute Madame X (#8-10) September Stone (#10), Lime Trude (#10-12), Red or Yellow Humpy (#12-14), Parachute Hare's Ear (#12-14), Purple Haze (#12-14), Red Double Humpy (#8-10) Nymphs: Hogan's Chubby Cousin (#12-14), Light Bright Prince (#12-14), Curtis' High Voltage (#12-14) Streamers: Mine Sweeper (#4), Conehead Zoncora (#4), Probasco's Night Leech (#6), J.J. Special (#4-6), Galloup's Dungeon (#2), McCune's Sculpin (#4-6) Comments: Dropping water levels, crystal clear water and sunny days mean that fishing on the Snake just keeps getting better and better. We've had cooler nights over the last few days, which means it might take a little while for the fish to get moving in the morning. Focus on slower water and smaller hairwing or parachute-type patterns until things start to warm up. One exception to this will be our September Stoneflies, which have started to emerge. This is a fairly large, brown-ish stonefly, that often emerge in the early hours of the morning (though fish will often still rise to them throughout the day). The males are flightless, and can often be seen on, or near, the banks. When on the water they "skittter" across the surface with a fair bit of movement. When imitating this, make sure to move and skate the fly, close to the banks. Colors are already beginning to change down in the canyon, and as hard as it may be to believe, it's beginning to feel like fall is approaching...

Green River – 8.25.2011

Bruce Smithhammer — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:11:13 +0000

Flows: 472 cfs. @ Warren Bridge Flies: Dries: Turck's Power Ant (#10-12), John's Hummer Sally (#14), Hippie Stomper (#12), More or Less Hopper (#12), Curtis' Flying Ant (#14-18), Harrop's Hairwing PMD (#16) Streamers: Conehead Zuddler, white (#4), Silvey's Sculpin Leech, white or olive (#4), McCune's Sculpin, tan (#4), Comments: The Green has been dropping a fair bit, as is normal for this time of year. This, combined with warm temperatures and little precipitation over the last few weeks has meant that the best fishing has often been early and late in the day. PMDs and Sallies are still being seen in decent numbers before the afternoon winds typically pick up. While some hoppers are being heard and seen, they haven't exactly been out in huge numbers to date. Regardless, larger Chernobyl-type attractors are working, and ant patterns, such as those listed above are working quite well. These terrestrial patterns are the most reliable ticket through the warmer afternoons. Streamers are continuing to produce nice fish early and late, but also throughout the day, if fished in deeper pocket water and undercuts. Keep in mind that low flows mean that some areas of the river may be quite low and/or tight for a boat and proceed with caution - low flows can present hazards just as high flows can.

High Country Flies

Snake River – 10.16.2011

Snake River – 9.24.2011

BWO CDC Split Wing Cripple

What You’ll Need: Hook: Tiemco 100, sizes 14-22 Thread: 8/0 Uni-thread, Olive Dun Tail: Amber Z-lon topped with wood duck breast feather Abdomen: Olive dubbing Loop : Olive CDC feather Thorax: Olive dubbing Wing: Black Z-lon

Tying Tips

Fishing Tips

Snake River – 9.13.2011

Prince Nymph

What You’ll Need: Hook: Nymph Hook 5 63 41X or 2X Long #8-#16, Tiemco, Dai-Riki Thread: 3/0 – 8/0 Black; Size to Match Size of Hook

Lead: Lead Diameter should Match Wire of Hook

Tail: Brown Goose or TurkeyBiots (for photographic purposes done here in white) Body: Peacock Herl Hackle Wing: White Goose or Turkey Biots Beard: Brown

Yellowstone Park Report – 9.7.2011

Review – Simms Guide Jacket

Green River – 9.4.2011

Snake River – 9.2.2011

Green River – 8.25.2011

What You’ll Need:
Hook: Tiemco 100, sizes 14-22
Thread: 8/0 Uni-thread, Olive Dun
Tail: Amber Z-lon topped with wood duck breast feather
Abdomen: Olive dubbing
Loop : Olive CDC feather
Thorax: Olive dubbing
Wing: Black Z-lon

What You’ll Need:
Hook: Nymph Hook 5 63 41X or 2X Long #8-#16, Tiemco, Dai-Riki
Thread: 3/0 – 8/0 Black; Size to Match Size of Hook

Tail: Brown Goose or TurkeyBiots (for photographic purposes done here in white)
Body: Peacock Herl Hackle
Wing: White Goose or Turkey Biots
Beard: Brown