stlfisher

Just a thought, but it is possible the poster was only trying to prevent a duplicate thread on the same topic so he/she made a post to an older thread. I too find myself cringing at times when I read old post's and thinking..."man did I actually say that." I have decided I am really a much nicer guy in person.

here is a pick of the brown trout. I don't have any pics of the smallies, but they were on the small side of things in the 8-12 inch range, but fun nonetheless.

The solution is easy and could be highly entertaining...just pay someone to stand behind the Camel with a lighter.

I am ready for a break from the heat and cooler weather fishing. The one thing I love about fall is almost all species go on a bit of a feeding binge. Bass fishing is great in October and the first half of November in my area. Trout fishing is pretty much awesome in the cooler months with far less crowds heading into winter. Some of my highlight this year were catching my first smallmouth on a fly rod, my first goggle eye, and a personal best big brown trout on the Current. The diversity of fish to target in the state is quite nice and makes year round fishing quite good. Might actually do some Catfishing this weekend...which I haven't done in years.

Nice fish...looks like a sweet trip!

As long as the fish are released carefully there shouldn't be much of a problem. I supposse if you routinely catch a 50 fish a day every day you might be killing more than you think, but how many honest fisherman can routinely say they catch 50 a day? The vast majority of fisherman just don't catch and release enough fish to make much of dent. The ones that do are probably rare enough they are not hurting the poplulation very much.

There will always be crowds on most weekends during the summer. I wouldn't expect solitude, but I don't think the river will be completely overrun with peope either. There is a fly fishing tournament in the Blue Ribbon Stretch that weekend that may add to the traffic on if you plan to hit the upper stretch. I will be down that weekend myself.

I'd use them...I bet they would still work just fine....just think of it as grizzly crackleback of sorts. Or maybe wind some type of flash in between the hackle wraps? Either way I bet they would work just fine. When I mess up realy bad if the fly is remotely fisable it usually goes into my bluegill fishing box...or if it is downright awful it get's stripped down and becomes a scud or Wolley bugger. I not at all surprised to find I have plenty of those flies.

I use a sling pack as well and I use it for bass flies, trout flies, and bass lures. I much prefer them to vests and I have plenty of room for what I need.

Great pics Mic. Looks like an awesome time!

sounds like a great time in a great area. Hoping to hit that area next summer. Looking forward to the pics!

I like it. Nicely done.

I have just been using an old pair of tennis shoes with socks for wet wading in the summer. The gravel was annoying at first, but I really don't notice it much anymore. Some of those boots/shoes in Smalliebigs link look pretty nice though...might give one of those a shot fro next year. Looked at the Simms flat's sneaker a few times myself, but never pulled the trigger.

That Cuda looks sweet...should be intersting to see the price.

That is pretty cool to catch a largemouth like that in the Kalispell area. Especially one that grows a little over an inch a year.

Looks like a great trip and nice pics. I like the underwater shot.

Looks like a great trip with some great shots!

Sweet pic...looks nice and chilly with the ice up front. Winter fishing rocks.

Those gurglers look pretty simple to tie...I should be able to whip up a few of those.

Sounds like a pretty hectic and scary experience....glad everyone made it out ok.

Wow lot's of good info. Thanks everyone! Looks like i will be doing some reading and tying this weekend. Hoping to get out on Sunday afternoon for a bit...I will be sure to report back.

Looks like another vote for a pete. I do have a few poppers, but have been reluctant to tie one on in the heat. I will have to try it next time. Do any of you ever use a sinking line or a sink tip for smallie fishing in bigger water?

Sweet...looks like you boys had a great time. That water looks awfully nice sitting hear at work. Bet it was nice to be standing in it and catching fish too!

Looks like I will have to pick up some sneaky pete's. I haven't tried any since I haven't seen any surface action. I think I'll have to give it go.

I have been fly fishing for smallmouth a bit this summer with moderate success, but I could be doing much better. I have a few questions for those that chase these guys with a fly rod. I am fishing small water, that is for the most part only wadeable. Stealth has been important and the fish are very spooky. For the most part I have been stripping slumpbusters, buggers, and other various streamers. I have tried a few hopper patterns and caught some giant gogge eye, but no smallies on top yet. The fish really don't want to chase much at all. If you get one fish out of a hole the rest are spooked and game over. The fish I have seen are hugging the bottom. The ones I have caught have been slowly stripping (almost jigging). I have been fishing mostly upstream or up and across for stealth as oppossed to downstream. I am considering drifting big nymph's in size 8 or so under an indicator or buying a sinking tip section and try just dragging flies on the bottom? My set up for now is a 9ft 5wt with a 9ft leader tapered to 3x or 4x. I am considering a 7 weight to throw heavier flies as I move into next year, but with summer vacations coming up I am gonna need to wait a bit Any thoughts on nymphing for smallmouth or other tatics/advice you think might work? First year I have really chased them and I am hooked. I realize spinning or baitcasting gear would be easier and more effective, but I enjoy the challenge and fight they bring on a fly rod.