Jacks Grampa

I sure like biot bodies. Easy to do buggy looking.

They'll go higher if PETA ever finds out what we do.

I enjoy tying as a hobby so saving money is not a consideration for me. We recently moved from Texas to Montana and my bench was packed away for a while during peak season here in Bozeman. That forced me to buy some commercially tied flies and they were terrible. A 12" cut straightened a size 14 nymph hook in still water, they often started coming apart on the second or third fish and I had to sharpen them before I used them. Give me my Mustads and Tiemco any day.

36 minutes ago, SalarMan said:

And I suspect not in the best of condition - HA HA HA HA

You suspect gooder than heck.

Anyone found in the shop at night will be found there in the morning.

Renzetti Master is the vise. Serial #2 of 250. No idea what brand the catch bag is.

Thank you Bozeman Fly Supply. "Feed your vise". Go Bobcats.

9 minutes ago, mikechell said:

Yeah, that's a bit too rich for my blood ... or budget.  I'll have to see if I can make something similar using less expensive materials.

I've seen them used on Craigslist. They break down into 5' sections so shipping won't be too bad.

1 hour ago, Kinni said:

Looks like the same one I have. It's called a River Quiver and it's made by Riversmith. It was a bit over $400 for a 2-rod version and yes, it does lock. I've only used mine a couple times, but I've been happy with it. It's great if you hop around from place to place, but I've appreciated it even more to have everything all loaded up for an early morning outing and not needing to rig up when all I really want to do is get on the river to take advantage of the limited amount of time I have available to fish. www.riversmith.com

Same rig. River Quiver. Right at $400.00 here in Bozeman. Leaving a rigged Hopper Dropper saves time setting up and I can have a different rig on the second rod. Works well for me.

Rig and un-rig times just got shorter.

Mine is a Sage 390 RPL that I got from Jim Adams at the Austin Angler in the fall of 1991. I go for weeks fishing my 5 weight and truly enjoy getting back to the old RPL.

Hyalite Reservoir just south of Bozeman Mt.

We're not in Texas anymore.

On 5/16/2021 at 8:15 AM, mikemac1 said:

SW Montana is the land of big rivers (floating) and lots of decent reservoirs.  There are three great reservoirs just north of Bozeman on the Missouri—Canyon Ferry, Holter and Hauser.  All have great fishing. Southwest of Bozeman is Clark Canyon on the Beaverhead and Ruby Reservoir on the Ruby.  Northeast of Bozeman is Martindale.  Lots of smaller ponds around as well, especially the ponds at Three Forks.   A favorite reservoir of mine is Georgetown Lake during runoff just west of Anaconda.  A great rainbow fishery in June. Big Sky Fishing  is a good source of info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Mike. The ponds in Three Forks are perfect for my little boat. Blue Sky Boat Works 360 is great on waters like that. A friend here caught a 7 1/2 pound bass there but wasn't impressed since he's from Texas where  ten pounders  not uncommon.

Not big but healthy. Small head and large body is a well fed fish in clean water. Caught a dozen or more but this was the prettiest. Size 16 bead head prince under a size 14 foam hopper. Half and half hopper to dropper.

Some beautiful fish in that pond. Spring fed and pretty constant temp. Healthy population of caddis, mayfly, ants and hoppers.

52 minutes ago, Capt Bob LeMay said:

Sightfishing... in fresh or salt waters - just nothing like it.  Whether on foot or in a skiff, spotting, then stalking your target, figuring out exactly where to toss your fly (or lure) then executing the cast without spooking the fish..... Pretty much as good as it gets in my world.  That's true for small fish, all the way up to fish so big that at first you can't believe it's actually a fish... .  Like I said just nothing like it.  And yes, there are days when the fish win and you go home talking to yourself vowing to do better the next time out.

I couldn't agree more.

There've  been millions of flies tied on Thompson A vises over the decades. If you tie small stuff they have midge jaws for them.

Good healthy fish from a well managed spring fed pond.

It's a good day when you wish these would get out of the way so you can cast to the big ones. That's an 18" net.

It's a good day when you wish these would get out of the way so you can cast to the big ones. That's an 18" net.

Bead head San Juan worm under a foam hopper is my favorite combo. 

Hi Mike. What's your favorite fly shop in the area? Thanks, James