Salmonfly

Back on the road again, this time into West Yellowstone, Montana for a hard core search for the Western Salmon Fly and the fat trout that enjoy these tasty morsels. This was the second time we flew into Montana in late June trying to hit the mother of all hatches as well as catch some of the early mayfly and caddis hatches in Yellowstone National Park. The crew at Blue Ribbon Flies are waiting, our bags are packed, so away we go . . .

	Marge and Cam start things out on the Madison River. Too early for Stoneflies, but the little nymphs still work, this little rainbow couldn't pass up the infamous pink worm.
Cindy and Geoff showing off the business end of a Madison River Brown trout. This was Cindy's first trip down the river and it didn't take long for the boys from Blue Ribbon to hook her up.
	Your humble rodmaker trying to keep up with the Ladies. After lunch the trout started looking up, so we finished the day picking off healthy little guys like this all the way down the river (see Adams DOA Cripple in the Trout Food Chapter - use the back button to return here)
Cam gets another hug!

How do you spend your days off ? On Tuesday we gave the Guides a break and spent a little quiet time walking around on the Madison. We hoped to get in some Baetis dry fly fishing, but the little buggers didn't cooperate so we tied on the 3$ Dip (coming soon to Trout Food) and had a great afternoon trying to put these guys into the net. Fat trout, fast water and small landing nets really humbles a guy - right John ? I hope our new friends from Switzerland had as much fun.

	What a great guide - always looking to insert a little blatent commercialism. I'm so proud of him.
This was our second walk in to the Madison river and Al's first trip attached to a fly rod. I think he's figured it out ! What you don't see in this photo is the shiny new Brack Hill Tackle bamboo fly rod that was use to wear down this chunky rainbow moments before he was slid into that fancy Iverson landing net.
	This was Salmon Fly day and the big guys were out for the high protein food fest. This chubby Brown found out the hard way that every once in a while it turned out to be a sneaky concoction of foam and elk hair.
Hard to imagine anything prettier than a Madison River Rainbow trout !
	Final day - final fish. As usual, the wife hooks up with this really nice rainbow and puts on a big show as we float into the take out. She really knows how to hurt a guy.

A parting shot of the whole gruesome crew. Sunburned (windburned) faces, weary shoulders and a touch of indigestion. What better way to end the week. See you all next time !