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Reconsidering over the Holidays

Reconsidering over the Holidays

As the end of the year approaches most of us to tend to reflect on our lives.  At Montana Fly Fishing Guides we often think back on past fishing seasons, memorable fish and the great individuals we’ve met along the way.  In fact, one of our anglers & friends started us thinking about this particular topic – thanks, Barbara.

One thought we always come back to is our conversations with anglers about our choice of the fishing lifestyle.  Many of our anglers comment on how great it would be to spend time on the water every day in Montana searching for that next tight line.  We couldn’t agree more, that’s why we do what we do.  In 2001 & 2002, after the 9/11 attacks, we saw a tremendous shift in anglers who changed their entire lifestyle.  No longer was it about career, work, money or acquisitions with the hope of sneaking in some fishing along the way.  It was about enjoying life and pursuing their passion for fly fishing.  This season wasn’t much different, many people suffered from the recent economic debacle, and we’ve seen a similar shift in our angler’s priorities.  Spending time on the water with family, friends and enjoying life to the fullest has taken hold once again.  If you’ve been contemplating your choice of lifestyle this past year consider the following this holiday season:

Meet Mr. Jack Gartside (link to the Boston Globe).  His passion was fly fishing plain and simple.  He didn’t let a traditional career, money or everyday life get in the way of his enthusiasm.  One of his close angling friends stated: “he’s who we’d all like to be if we all had more guts.”  While we never had the pleasure of meeting Jack personally, he was certainly the epitome of one who pursued his angling passion to the fullest.  Angling Fanatics, Trout Bums, Fly Fishing Geeks – whatever you choose to label such societal contrarians we applaud them for their choice to pursue a lifestyle richer and fuller than most have dared attempt.  While most of us can’t embrace a Trout Bum lifestyle as full as Jack’s we can glean insight from someone who lived an angler’s life to the fullest.

We’ll save you a spot on the water in 2010. Until then all of us at Montana Fly Fishing Guides wish Tight Lines to our angling family and friends this holiday season!

Favorite Montana Hatches

Montana Fly Fishing Tripschoose All Inclusive Inset

So it’s winter and we are busy blogging, tying flies, skiing, and dreaming about the best hatches of next fishing season.  We’ve listed a few of the Montana Fly Fishing Guides staff’s favorites.  Comment on your favorites.

Eric Adams’s 3 Fav’s:
Spring Baetis – Ski in the morning, fish dry flies in the afternoon.  Oh yeah no crowds.
Mother’s Day Caddis – Flat out the largest hatch on the Yellowstone River you will EVER see.
Giant Western Golden Stone – Yeah the one in late summer.  Big fish on dries.

Eric Paramore’s 3 Fav’s:
Mother’s Day Caddis – if you want to know why check out the 2nd pic in this photo gallery.
Hoppers – I spend most of the winter tying the perfect one.
Hecuba – A cool late summer mayfly.

Perry Coleman’s 3 Fav’s:
Pale Morning Duns or PMD’s – I get back from Florida right in time for these guys on the Spring Creeks.
Hopper’s – I know they aren’t a ‘hatch’ but come on!
Tarpon Worm Hatch – Yeah, it’s not in Montana but neither am I, too busy guiding Tarpon in Islamorada

Dennis Alverson’s 3 Fav’s:
Salmon Fly – Big nymphs, I love the Girddle Bug!
Hoppers – Rising trout, love it.
Summer Caddis – On the Boulder River.