Journal
Explore The Journal
After years of journaling my days fly fishing the Greater Yellowstone region, I realized the value this information could bring other anglers. In the journal, I tell the story of my fishing trips and go into detail on what techniques worked for me. I detail the weather, water types, flies, and other important information that led to my success or failure. I go over what I learned from the trip and pose questions about what I left the water curious about.
A Walk With A Fly Rod
I did not make a cast today. It’s not that I didn’t go fishing. I spent three hours walking the shoreline of Hebgen Lake looking for rising fish. It’s just that I didn’t see any, so no reason to cast. It was just a morning walk with a fly rod and my dog. I tell myself that the storm last night put the bugs down. That the lake levels were too low. Maybe the fish had seen
Summer In The Yellowstone Region (Photo Essay)
Summer fishing in the Yellowstone Region is what we all dream about. The big sky looms over blooming wildflowers, rutting bison, hoppers bouncing, gulpers gulping, and humming trout towns. The Summer season is short in the Yellowstone Region, with July and August the only two months when we can rely on warm temperatures and consistent weather. We enjoy each day knowing the days are growing shorter, and fall is looming. This summer has been hot and smoky,
Thoughts On Current Fishing Conditions
It is the middle of summer after what was a historically cool and dry winter. The inevitable is here, and we face warm temperatures and hoot owl restrictions across the Yellowstone Region fisheries. We were incredibly lucky to have a wet June and epic fishing for most of spring and early summer. Now that things have changed, I share my thoughts on water temperatures and offer a positive outlook on current fishing conditions. I hope
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
There is one fish that stands above all else in the Greater Yellowstone Region. Yes, brown trout grow big and eat streamers, and rainbow trout jump and fight like none other. But the Yellowstone Cutthroat is one of the defining species of the Yellowstone Region. It is the only place in the world where anglers can catch native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout, and anglers travel from all over to lay eyes on this special strain of
Addicted To Gulpers
Among us anglers, there is a sound we look forward to all year long. It’s a sound of summer fly fishing, heard on calm lakes throughout the Yellowstone Region. The sound brings excitement, challenge, frustration, and potentially reward. The sound is the renowned “gulp” that a big stillwater trout makes when it breaks the surface of a lake to eat an insect. This audible gulp sound is known by many anglers who chase rising trout
Grateful For The Fisherman’s Lifestyle
I’ve been on the road a lot this month for work and to see family. Specifically going to Las Vegas and Seattle, big cities with lots of people. These cities can be rather overwhelming for me and not my favorite, but traveling and seeing new things give me a wider perspective on the world. I appreciate travel for that, no matter where I go. A realization that occurred to me while on the road is how
More Than Miles: A Fisherman’s Vehicle
There’s a certain kind of bond that’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t fish. It’s not about the rod, the fly, the river, or the fish. It’s the connection between an angler and his vehicle. A fisherman’s vehicle is so much more than a way to get to or from work. It’s a second home, a gear closet, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a fly-tying desk. We drive thousands of miles a year in these
Heading To New Zealand
There is nothing better than the anticipation of an upcoming fishing trip. Filling fly boxes with more than enough flies for a few days of fishing. Spooling reels with fresh lines. Building leaders and checking every knot. Mapping rivers and fishing access sites. Watching every YouTube video and reading every article you can find on the destination. It extends the life and builds excitement for an upcoming fishing trip. New Zealand is world-renowned for
Winter On The Tailwaters
A winter day on a tailwater is special. Gone are the crowds of the summer season. The many tourists are replaced by a few local anglers. The river is low, revealing many of its secret pockets, worth bookmarking for the warmer months. While the fishing is often slower in the winter, you know the potential from seeing the fishery in its prime time. There is no fighting over the best holes, and no need to
How A Mild Winter Is Shaping The Fishing Season
The oddly warm and dry winter persists here in the Greater Yellowstone Region. It was pushing 55 degrees here in Bozeman last weekend, and the 10-day forecast shows more warm temperatures. The lack of winter so far is a hot topic, leaving everyone wondering what the next few months will bring. I thought I’d share my thoughts on what this means for the fishing in the Yellowstone Region and my perspective on what this fishing season
Lessons Learned in 2025
There is so much to learn in the pursuit of fly fishing. From little tips and tricks to solving complex problems on the river, there are always ways to grow as an angler. Reflecting on my fishing experiences over the past year, I learned a lot as I fished new techniques, explored different fisheries, and changed my perspective on the sport. Here are a few of the lessons I learned in 2025 as an angler.
End Of Year Blog Review (2025)
Another year of fishing in the Yellowstone Region is behind us. It’s funny how time seems to go by so fast, and our perception of time changes as we get older. To think it has been eight years since I moved to Montana is unbelievable, and that it has been almost three years since I started running this blog is just as crazy. As we end the year, I am so grateful for all of you