She’s Cold & Bitter, Always Changing-Why Do I Love Her?

Posted on December 2, 2011 by JB

There’s lots of reasons I sure love the Yellowstone River.  Maybe the biggest one is because even though she’s ever changing, she’s still always there.  It’s the endless mysteries she continues to present that bekon me to feel her rush by.  To see into her soul where her heart is, in the form of Cut Throat Trout…and a whole boat load of Whitefish.

I just ordered a smoker from Cabela’s, found one pear of old waders and an equally old pair of wading shoes with knotted laces.  Hunting season is over, and what a great one it was, but now it’s time to head back to the waters.  The next few days are going to be sunny and mild, perfect conditions for those no see-ums to be peppered on glassy surfaces ideally presented to sipping trout.  Wish me luck.

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Fall Fly Fishing on the Yellowstone River

Posted on November 5, 2011 by JB

Cutting my teeth back east I’d listen intently to the legendary tales of the west. Yarns of 10 pound Browns caught on streamers the size of the fish I used to take home for dinner in Pennsylvania!  Like many, I assumed that the fall in Montana was more like winter, I was wrong. 

I spent 5 summers in Yellowstone and southwest Montana before I ever saw the other seasons. Upon graduating from college, I drove west after Christmas in my pap’s front wheel drive car and was safely having a beer in the old basement of the Two Bit Saloon in Gardiner, Mt. on New Year’s Eve!  Since that time I’ve spent quite a few years here through all the seasons and I can confirm that September through October is a great time to be here. The fishing, the colors, and the solitude are all ideal.

Though it can snow anytime from mid-August through June, Paradise Valley, Montana is considered a Banana belt by Montana standards most anytime of the year.  Accommodating weather far outweighs a reason to stay inside, or worse yet, go back to work. The lack of humidity contributes to the “feels like” weatherman forecast adding several degrees.  On a sunny, calm day you’ll still need sunscreen and on days like this the water can boil as sipping Trout feed on tiny midges.

Once the kiddies head back to school in the late summer, the millions of tourists who come to visit Yellowstone follow back to other less fun places. Of course, this accounts for about 80% of those who fish our great river and visit the area.  Even though the Yellowstone is never considered a crowded river, it’s during the later season when a fisher really does feel alone and can see past the tourist crowd to the true wide open spaces.  Wildlife seems to return again as well.  Even though there’s always abundant critters along this great river, once the noise of summer is gone there is much more to see and enjoy.

By September the Yellowstone has dropped in flow from the June run-off where it may have been gushing and rolling car sized boulders at nearly 30,000 cubic feet per second, down to a crystal clear calm flow of around 1,000.  For both the floating and wading fly fisher this offers abundant opportunity.  In contract to the summer months of nonchalantly tossing flies to the bank, the fall is the time of big fish and exposed lairs.  As big predatory Browns begin their spawn, fat Rainbows will also move in to take advantage of their eggs. 

When the Yellowstone reaches this low point the angler can both see and get close to the treasures normally hidden by bigger, off-colored water. Because the Yellowstone is so big, most wade anglers are overwhelmed by its size, and often humbled by its strength.  Wading comes easier now, and often a fisher need not even get wet waders. Matter of fact, at this time of the year, the upper stretches of the Yellowstone offers plenty of places to safely wade to the other bank. We’ve all been in that situation where we see rising Trout just out of our reach; this isn’t the case in the fall.

We spend most of our time floating the river because it still seems to offer the most fun.  It’s also the time of the year when we pull out big, articulated streamers like our patented “Yankee Jim’s Revenge” and the “Momofo”.  The actions of these two flies when stripped hard and quick from the bank trips a trigger-like reflex in big trout that can snap heavy tipped like a cobweb and wreck well-engineered gear.   When Trout hit these streamers, they hit them with a vicious passion that can leave a person stunned as fly line is ripped from the reel. If you wonder why there is backing on a 5 weight fly rod, hang on and your question will be answered!

Tight Lines & Smiles! 
JB Klyap, Outfitter & Hydrotherapist

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Fickle-Fickle Yellowstone!

Posted on September 17, 2011 by JB

If you fish this river long enough, you’ll be tested.   There will be days when it doesn’t seem to matter what fly you fish, they’ll eat it.  Be it generic hoppers, dollar buggers, bead heads, chubby chernobyls or your own secret pattern, then there are other days.  Other days that you consider rolling over a log and picking a few crawlers just to catch a fish.  That’s the Yellowstone.  That’s why we love it. 

It’s snowing in the high country tonight, and we happen to live in the high country, far from the lights and glitz of self-proclaimed fly fishing “towns”.  We’re on the river, not at the local bar or shop.  We see what’s happening and what’s not happening. 

Water temperatures have dropped dramatically.  While there’s still some hoppers around, there’s not many.  Fish really didn’t eat them much this summer anyway.  As for mayfly hatches, I’d have to agree with some of my experienced guide pals (experienced means more than “a season”.) that due to the extreme high water, many bugs simply got washed away.  I’d have to agree.  While there’ve been some sporatic PMD’s, BWO’s, there has been too much action.  That is, unless you look close and visit this river when the fish are really feeding.

If you like the tiny, no see-um stuff, now is your time.  Plenty of midges made it through the high water and there’ve been some evening floats that have held us up past dark.  It’s a good thing we know where those craggly boulders are!  Swinging a wet fly can be a lot of fun and is a good “go to” if you’ve already been through the box a couple of times.

Later in the evenings big cuts have moved to the banks to suck down some Moths.  Most of these are white to gray and are easily duplicated with some split indicator yarn. A foam body with some hackle helps, but for the most part, cuts are dumb fish, they’ll eat it if you put it where they can get it…and LEAVE IT THERE.  Don’t cast too much.  Remember, Cutthroat Trout are notorious for slow, methodical rises that seem to take forever.  If you’re getting fish to come to the fly but missing them, slow down.

If you’ve been holding out for big fish, it’s on.  Once the sun gets behind the Gallatins try throwing your favorite streamer, strip it hard and quick back to the boat and be ready for some reel-screaming fun.  About every big fish in the river is chasing big stuff since there’s been so little to eat.  Enjoy!

“Tight Lines & Smiles”

Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843

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Best Fishing on the Yellowstone

Posted on September 8, 2011 by JB

The best fishing on the Yellowstone River is from anywhere in Yellowstone Park to Point of Rocks.  Most of the water downstream below these areas is starting to get chuck full of Algae as a result of all the over-fertilized trophy homes on the upper Yellowst0ne.  If you’re looking for consistent top-water action, book a float with someone from Paradise Valley, someone who lives on the river.  They’ll know what’s really going on.

Now that the holiday weekend has passed it shouldn’t be hard to find open water in the park.  Lamar Valley might have a few wolf watchers crowding the pull offs, but for the most part, they rarely see anything important.  Trick is to figure out which way the Bison are feeding and plan your attack of the Lamar from there.  You could hike up to the second or third meadow of Slough, or be lazy and wait by the pull off for the PMD’s to come back.  Either way, you’ll be into some serious fish.  Rainbows have been caught way upstream, so don’t be surprised if every cast doesn’t warrant a big cut.  Then again, it’s not a bad thing.

Hoppers are still around and fish will still eat them, but it’s old news.  You can trade a 20 fish day for a 40 fish day by fishing smart.  Don’t be too proud to pull a big streamer from the banks, chances are you’ll hook up!  Make sure you’re out early or plan to stay late, mid-day fishing is going to suck for awhile.  Try to hit the river early or at last call.  You’ll certainly catch fish from 9-5, but you’ll cast more without thinking.

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Whitefish-Give Me Some Lovin!

Posted on September 2, 2011 by JB

God Bless the Whitefish!

Not too long ago many fly fishers didn’t have much respect for the Rocky Mountain Whitefish…even though every person I’ve seen hook one expresses the very same entertainment-factor reaction.  It just plain feels good to hook anything on a 5 wt. rod floating down a western river.   Folks are finally realizing the value of “Senor’ Blanco” thanks to some forward thinking guides and fly fishers.  Hopefully, more will follow.

Believe it or not, the Whitefish is closely related to Trout in the Salmanoid family. Though fun to catch, willing to take even the worst drift, and great to eat, they’re the least popular.  Sometimes it’s fun to root for an underdog.  Though considered bottom feeders, they’re more than willing to take a fly from the surface and even smack a stripped streamer, often hitting it face first, then coming back in again for the final kill.   Winter fly fishing for these silver bullets can make the long days spectacular.  Often Whitefish will stack up in the foam and only accept a carefully swung #22 Griffiths.  If the Whiteys are there, don’t be surprised to find some feisty Trout as well.

The Whitefish is a fish of mountain streams and lakes, favoring clear cold water and large deep pools of at least a meter depth, in other words, they can only survive in pure, pretty places, the same kind of places we seek for solitute and rejunization.  Places we have yet to taint.  Personally, I’m glad they’re here and hope we all can work together to keep them here.

I’ve personally witnessed even the snootiest of fly fishers smile when they hook up and very, very few who could tell the difference in the fight.  Perhaps there’s subtle differences in thier actions, yet why is it then that after catching three in a row a trout will often suddenly appear on the line.  Maybe Whitefish are a bit more aggressive feeders?  Would that then mean that Trout might be lazier?

“The Rocky Mountain Bonefish”…we could give it an “upper class name”, kind of like we did for Carp not too long ago.   Since then, you’d be surprised how many folks have felt 22 pounds of golden thunder with a face only a fly fisher could love!

They’re a tasty fish, but only few keep them and most prefer Trout, maybe because we just “think” Trout taste better.  If you’ve never had home-smoked whitefish around a wood stove in the dead of a hard Montana winter, you haven’t lived.  It’s best chased with some Buffalo Trace on ice.

As the summer wanes into Fall, do yourself a favor and give the next Whitefish you catch a kiss from all of us fish lovers.  Release them gently and if you get a toad, take some photos, note the brilliant combination of silvers, pinks, red and subtle blues of this fish’s character.  Pass it on if you can.  If you’re looking for great table fare, keep a few this coming winter when the water cools and cleans up from all the yard fertizing upstream.  Smoke a half-donzen and you may never eat Trout again.

We’ll be offering some fall specials.  This is certainly going to be the one.  With great water levels and diminishing fishers a float on the Yellowstone or a few days exploring the streams of Lamar Valley inside Yellowstone National Park can offer the most ideal hydrotherapy on the market!

Tight Lines & Smiles!

Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843

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Grey Owl to Mallard’s Rest-Yellowstone Fishing Report, August 24th, 2011

Posted on August 29, 2011 by JB

Grey Owl to Mallards-Yellowstone River Fishing Report

It’s not unusual during this time of the year for a pounding thunderstorm to wash mud from old burns, avalanches and otherwise, areas upriver which have yet to green up.  This causes what most refer to as a “mud plug”.  This onslaught of clay-like mud turn the otherwise crystal clear Yellowstone into something you might find in a well-loaded diaper, making fishing tough. 

If one is able to get in front of the mud, which often has a clearly-defined line, the fishing can be outstanding.  On this day we raced downriver and chose the bird run. 

Grey Owl to Mallards is a very nice stretch of water and much slower than the upper stretches.  There’s no shortage of good fish on this stretch and rarely is this stretch crowded.  I had the pleasure of fishing with two brothers.  That’s some good fun.  Right from the take-out John B. missed a nice fish with a hopper.  After that, things got interesting.  We changed flies a lot, tried nymphing, then got bored and eventually returned to our original plan-entice big fish to come up and eat a hopper.  Of course, all worked out just fine. 

When our eyes weren’t on the water, they were in the sky behind us.  We watched the skies darken with heavy clouds, saw a bit of lightening, but all agreed that there’d be worse ways to go, so we kept on fishing.  We got a little rain, but not enough to dampen any spirits.  In the end, we had another extraordinary Montana adventure. 

Mcconnell to Joe Brown-by far my second favorite stretch on the Yellowstone, second only to the home-stretch through the ranch.  We had a great day with nearly ideal conditions.  Early morning was calm and cloudy until lunch, then we baked a bit, and I suspect a few folks got a little sun burnt.

While fish are still looking up and more than willing to take a hopper, size, color and presentation are all playing a role now.  In addition, the slow, methodical take of the Cut Throat will get the best of most of us.  Because the water is so clear it’s easy to see these fish rising to the fly.  Even easier to pull it right from their hungry mouths.  Anyone who’s fished for Cuts can relate.  It takes all of us a bit to wind down. 

I still felt like the water was moving pretty fast, so it continues to be tough to get a good drift.  This forces the guide to be on the oars constantly and the caster to mend, mend, mend.  When all these things come together a fish usually comes to the fly. We had some good luck with smaller flies after Corwin Bridge.  Here, the water slows a bit more which allowed us to see #14 Royal Trude’s.  These seemed to get the most attention.

Very little traffic, lots of smiling faces and another perfect day on the Yellowstone River!  Thanks for reading and I’d love to take you fishing!

“Tight Lines & Smiles”

JB Klyap, Outfitter #7843

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Love the Whitefish! Yellowstone River Fishing Report, August 25th, 2011.

Posted on August 25, 2011 by JB

Days have been nearly perfect, occassional cloud cover, a little rainshower now and then and great top-water dry fly fishing on

"Senor Blanco"-always getting the love!

 the Yellowstone River.  Cool nights and hot days have only added to the good times.  Early morning still has fish looking up from the Caddis feast of the night before.   Hoppers are still on the menu, but they also can’t resist a small mayfly tied off the shank. Multiple sizes of hoppers are key, though fish will still whack the big ones, smaller sizes are gaining attention as well.  In short, it’s pretty hard to beat the fishing on the Yellowstone right now.  I’ve even seen some “Bozeangeles” guides willing to drive over an hour for some good fishing.  However, most of the valley guides figured out the catching part.  That’s the benefit of actually living on the river.

Everyday is getting a little different.  80 fish days aren’t out of the question, but don’t be surprised if it takes changing a few flies from the day before.  I’ve tied a lot of hopeful bugs only to put them back in my box and go to the old standards.  When the catching gets slow on top, there’s always a lot going on underneath.  Bouncing a conehead bugger with small droppers under a bobber is nearly a guarantee.  While you might hook a few Whitefish, don’t be surprised when a 2 foot Brown snaps off the 4x.  We’re still keeping tippets pretty heavy as there’s been no need for dainty stuff.

Yellowstone Park waters have been in great shape.  With most of the tourist crowd gone the toughest part is navigating around the huge Bison herds now in Lamar Valley.  Normally this is pretty easy, but now that the bulls are in rut, it’s a good idea to look ahead and make sure you don’t step on one.  They’re not in a good mood.  Who knows, it could have something to do with their thoughts of the coming winter, since Montana still hasn’t realized that Bison are just as important as slow elk.  We’ll keep working on that one. 

An evening float on the famed "ranch stretch" of the Yellowstone river-one of the last remaining stretches of river without trophy homes.

Soda Butte, Lamar and Slough Creek are all fishing well.  PMD’s, Caddis, some Hoppers and other terrestials are working well.  A few moths are still around and the fish see to like them just as much as the Grizzlies.  Both have been getting pretty fat.  Trudes are a great searching pattern, but also look enough like the moths to fool the fish.  On that note, don’t forget the bearspray.  It’s also pretty easy to spot a few wolves mingling amongst the Bison.  Mice and other small critters are starting to head towards water sources and the Wolves have figured that out pretty quickly. 

Fishing in the area will continue to improve.  September is really an ideal time to fish the area which is likely why we’ll start seeing more experienced sticks on the water.  However, it’s also an ideal time for absolute beginners.  With less fishing pressure, more waters will be open and often seem like they’re all your’s and your’s alone.  Don’t miss out.

It’s hard to believe that in less than a week we’ll be saddling up and heading to the hills to chase Wapiti, but you can bet we’ll be back on the water in short order.  Hopefully we’ll see you out there.

“Tight Lines & Smiles”

Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843

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“Not Again.”

Posted on August 18, 2011 by JB

There’s something special about this time of year in Montana.  A transition takes place, things get quieter, but summer still hangs on, or whatever season we call it.  This evening we floated the famed “ranch stretch”, we didn’t have to wait in line long at all and the rafters had already pulled out.  There might just be a season between summer and fall.  Though it has yet to be named, it’s definitely happening now.

The Yellowstone is fishing so good it’s almost silly.  I lost count of how many fish we caught tonight in a few short hours and sure can’t tell you how many came to the fly.  I can tell you that those that made it to the net were not lacking weight.  There were no skinny fish and there was definitely no lack of “tight lines & smiles!”

We fished with everything from hoppers to dollar bin specials, if it was between the dry spots, it got eaten.  I couldn’t help but giggle when I realized that it’s just getting started, it’s going to get better.  This is going to be the season of season’s on the Yellowstone.  If you’ve not fished her yet, you must have your priorties way out of whack!  Maybe we need to offer a special on evening floats…hhhhhmmmmm?  Who needs some hydrotherapy?

“Tight Lines & Smiles!”

Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843

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Even Fast Water Can Slow You Down!

Posted on August 15, 2011 by JB

Water has a way of slowing people down.  Although I was on an official scouting mission to some new water the past few

The Stillwater River-Don't miss this one!

 days, it didn’t take me long to look past my fly box and see what really matters.  The Stillwater River is a special place and when shared with friends and family, it’s even more.  Those who live off the land and love the land already know, and seldom take it for granted.  Each evening we returned to a warm campfire along the banks of one of Montana’s most unheard of rivers. But, in my opinion, the Stillwater is of pure and spectacular grandeur that it should go on any serious fly fishers bucket list.

The Stillwater River begins high in the Beartooth Mountains inside Yellowstone Park, many miles of its crystal clear waters only accessible the hard way, fortunately, the biggest part of this river is available even to the half days adventurist. Like a lot of good places, the name is an oxymoron.  Fact is, there isn’t much “still water” anywhere on this river.  If you plan to fish it, bring a walking stick and a bar of soap, chances are, you’ll get wet.  Round, slippery boulders of all sizes are available for your stumbling pleasure.  I actually saw my Dad  moon walk, intentional or not, it was quite a site.

Don't forget your bug spray! Big bugs mean big fish!

Due to record snow pack, like most Montana Rivers, the Still water was running higher than normal and colder, which put hatches back a few weeks. The good news is, if you’re one of those folks who know about fall fishing in Montana, this is going to be your year.  Night time temperatures forced us to crank up the heater in the camper; then again, maybe it was because my Dad hasn’t figured out how to take advantage of the heat two 100 pound labs can put off when properly positioned under the covers!

We caught lots of fish, spent many an evening of laughter and storytelling around the fire with some great friends.  Of course, I’m excited to get the wheels that have been turning in my head on the dirt and see what happens.

Watching the water has it's benny's!

  It’s going to be great having over 3 plus miles of private access to a Montana Trout stream that has won my heart!

Though this river is floatable, I saw enough rafts going by at high speed to know that it was made for the pocket fisher. If you like casting long loops over crystal clear mountain streams then you’ll want to keep an eye on this one.  I can also tell you that this river may hold the toughest fish in Montana.  After breaking off enough 4x to run my spool dry I can’t wait to hit it again!

There’s lots of hoppers in the air now, Caddis are around but don’t seem to be getting on the water until later.  Unlike the Yellowstone, the Stillwater will force you to crank it down a few notches and dig into your box of small flies, #14 and up.  I had a hard time accepting that these fish could get so fat on tiny bugs, but tie on a #16 wet fly of the proper bug match and swing it through a riffle. 

We did well with standard hopper-dropper Fat Boys, Glommers, Stimis and Trudes from dawn to dusk. As the river continues to drop the sweet spots will continue to be exposed.  Any fish that we saw working was prime for the taking.  It was just a matter of navigating into position to make the right cast.  We also did well nymphing small Hare’s ears and PT’s.  Fact is, it’s just nice to be out there!

We’ve really added a lot to our itinerary this summer.  With new use in Yellowstone National Park where we’ll get to share the most Trout water anywhere on the planet to a few secret streams like the Stillwater and Boulder.  We’re going to make sure we milk every last cast out of this summer.  Please join us!

Hopefully we’ll see you on the water.

Thanks for reading!

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Never Quit Trying…Right up to the Last Cast.

Posted on August 8, 2011 by JB

It’s easy to write a blog about how “GOOD” the fishing is, but seldom do I ever write about how “TOUGH” the fishing can be.  I enjoyed an incredible day of  fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park, it will probably go down as one of my most memorable days ever, yet I don’t have stories of big fish to tell.  I just have stories.

The day started with clear skies, just like the weatherman said.  Temperatures were approaching the mid 70’s before we left the ranch.  By the time we made it through the gate it felt like the perfect Montana summer day.  Fly rods were strapped to the hood, there were no crowds, no bear jams and the Gardiner River looked great.  I quickly realized that the rush was over.  I did my best to divert the chatter amongst my group to the question of, “when do most kids go back to school across the country?”.  Since my Dad was a school teacher for 40 years and I one for a few, combined with knowledgeable clients with kids in school, we narrowed the day down to today.  The sheer lack of people in the park and total lack of fly fishers on the water told us that summer in Yellowstone has come to an end, now it’s our time.  It’s time to fish.  Today was day 1.

We chose our hands down favorite stretch of water in all of Yellowstone Park to wet our lines in first.  We often park across the road at another trail head to hopefully create the distraction that we’re hiking up to some lake that rarely fishes well, yet continues to beckon the adventurous fly fisher.  After fishing nearly every summer day for 5 years in a row, I knew better. It was better fishing and only a 5 minute walk off trail down the main road, then when no one is watching, duck off into the Sage.  We pulled this routine off perfectly.  Matter of fact, we even publically shared a fictional story of a Grizzly Bear attack, just loud enough for the rig that pulled in beside us from one of those states we don’t like.  It happens.

This is where the hard part comes in.  One can only watch their favorite fly drifting perfectly over a piece of their favorite water-untouched by a fish, for so many casts.  This is a moment when the guide has two choices.  While we cannot change the fisherman, we can change the fly.  Of course, that is what we do, perhaps 100 times or more, and we love it.  Sometimes I call this “Ninja Fishing”.  There’s more to catching a fish than just keeping your casts between the dry spots.  In my opinion, those who love to fish, revel in days like this.  If it weren’t for days like this, none of us would ever get any better. If it weren’t for days like this no one could tell the difference between good guides and everyone else.

Making the decision to leave my favorite spot was easy, since I knew my favorite river had more favorite spots, that’s why it’s my favorite everything.  So, upstream we went.  On the first cast we’d hooked a perfect Cutthroat.  In the air were unique Stoneflies of olive and a deep blue.  We had the right flies.  Fish continued to rise to our fly but the dark skies warned us that we’d best get close to cover and eat some lunch.  Which we timed perfectly.  Everything was going good right up to the point when I made the decision to leave a stream we were catching fish in to seek other waters.  Today, I learned this is guiding sin, and I do not suggest it to anyone.  If you are catching fish-stay.  It’s simple.  However, I make things complicated sometimes.  In addition, while eating lunch I actually found a “lucky penny”.  This is more than just relying on the heads up indicator, this penny actually had the words written on it.  Come to think of it, my client took it, so I don’t know what that means.  Problem is, I think the luck was meant for us to stay and use it, not leave and abuse it.

Our next stop was a world famous stream not far away.  Amazingly enough, there was only one other vehicle in the parking lot.  As we watched the skies clear and the lightening fade, my best pal noticed a Stonefly landing on his shirt and gave me that grin. We collectively decided the game was on.  Once on the water we started seeing fish feeding in a foam back eddie just a few feet from us.  We quickly changed flies and made some casts.  Then we quickly changed flies and made some more casts.  We repeated this until finally we started putting on the same two flies we started with.  This still wasn’t the answer, it just meant that we hadn’t yet found the answer.  This hurt worse as we continued to watch the frenzy in the foam. Eventually, we found some luck with a #20 or small BWO that I could barely force 5x tipped through the eye. 

In the end we did catch a few fish, had a lot of laughs, saw Pronghorn, Bison, a wolf, a Red Fox with a mouthful of Whistle Pig (he ran right by the truck!) and what we think could have been a Wildabeast, but the jury is still out.  All returned safely back to Paradise Valley where the thermometer in the rearview read 80 degrees rather than 58.  Bow and Bud, thanks for a great day.  You Alabama boys are alright!

The rivers are fishing well, kidding aside.  Though the Yellowstone continues to be off color, you will catch fish.  Many of the park streams are still flowing heavy and cold, but they’re ready to test you and you will catch fish.  If you’ve been waiting for an excuse. Here it is.

BE SURE TO STAY TUNED FOR “Brotherly Love”…we just spent 4 days prior with the Burkhart family…I’m still working on editing the video and collecting guide stories. 

“Tight Lines & Smiles”

Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843

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