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Monday, June 30, 2014

E-Z Antron damselfly nymph

This fly was shown to me by an old fly tier I met this year.  He swears by it and says it out-fishes everything else at Georgetown.  It is ugly, easy, and apparently effective.  I'll report back after a field test coming soon.
E-Z Antron damselfly nymph
























Hook: Size 14-10 (12 for G-town) nymph
Thread: 6/0 black or green
Ribbing: Small diameter copper or gold
Eyes:  Bead chain, burned mono, or the plastic ones
Body: Antron yarn tied in in clumps folded over and wrapped with the wire, one at a time

I was told to fish this on a sinking line with a slow strip retrieve, swimming the fly just off the bottom.  If you have never fished Georgetown Lake, Montana, you should.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Sharptail Media's "Damsels in Distress"

Damsel season is upon us.  The east shore and no-motor bays of Georgetown Lake will finally open to fishing this week.  You can see what these guys went all the way to Australia for, right here in good old Montana.  This video never gets old!

Friday, June 27, 2014

In the name of science

It has been raining for days in western Montana.  It whooped my ass in the field and it's putting the breaks on the receding rivers.

Graph of  Discharge, cubic feet per second

The graph of the Clark Fork below Missoula is a good place to look for the general trend because all of the  westside rivers drain into it.

The Blackfoot tributaries are a pretty cool wade fishing option this time of year.  They are clear and manageable.  There's still a lot of water in all of our streams so be careful.

And now, science!

University of Montana greenhouse
























Corn growing in soil samples taken from Mt. Sentinel (big M) and Mt. Jumbo (big L) and MPG Ranch.  This study is comparing soil biodiversity and chemistry between the soil in grasslands dominated by native plants and those heavily invaded by leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula).

And on a larger scale, I've also been involved in a very large project assisting the United States Forest Service.

Reading cover and plant species richness in the Helena National Forest
























The US Forest Service sprays herbicides aerially from aircraft on a large scale.  They are mandated to control invasive species and this is the cheapest and most effective way to cover a lot of ground with chemicals.  But does it even work to control the invasive plant invasions?  Is it harming the native plant communities?  Is it an unnecessary waste of money that is doing more harm than good?  These are the questions our research is trying to answer.  As you can imagine, this heavy management of plant communities by use of chemicals in headwater drainages has indirect effects on fish and invertebrate communities.

A day at the office, guest photographer: T. Willis

















Castilleja miniata - greater red Indian paintbrush, guest photographer: T. Willis  































Weekend full of fishing ahead.  More trout - less plants next post!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Summer field season

RBM is going to have some fresh pictures to share of some out-of-the-way fishing locations around western Montana as well as updates on the local streams over the next few weeks.  In the meantime, you may have to deal with a re-run or two to allow me to get out there deep.  Until then...

Sunset at Rainy Lake
























...just go fishing.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Clark Fork fishing report and the Dude Rig

The fishing is completely back on in western Montana!!  The streams are still pretty big so your going to need a boat or know where the fish are safely accessible.  Here's some things I saw yesterday fishing right near Missoula:
  • 2 adult salmonflies ovipositing (in town!!)
  • Caddis all over the place
  • Trout rising to dry flies
  • 4' or so of visibility
  • A cloud of PMD spinners
  • Golden stones
  • Lots of big healthy trout as well as some little guys
The Dude Rig for streamers


For the past couple of weeks, one of the most productive setups in western Montana has been the double streamer Dude Rig.  This is a rig that guides use for clients because in the hands of a beginner, it is dummy proof.  Dead drifting streamers is super effective on the down side of runoff and this rig makes it so anyone can nail em.  Got a friend new to fishing, who can't mend or maintain a good drift?  The dude rig is perfect!  Bad mends just jig the fly.  Dragging it also can trigger a strike.  Similarly, in the hands of an effective fisherperson, the dude rig should be illegal! 

The Dude Rig:
Your going to need the 1" Thingamabobber to float your 2 weighted streamers.  You'll be fishing this rig right up against the banks so your flies should not be too deep.  More than 4' to the first fly is usually too much.  You can use whatever two streamers you want but the JJ Special/ Big Hole Crawler has been the bee's knees for the past couple of weeks, on every stream I've fished.  You can also trade out the bottom fly for any nymph, say the worm.   

Wood's rose - Rosa woodsii

























The wild roses have bloomed and the snow is off Snowbowl.  Get off your ass and go fishing!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Madman Across the Water - The Rusty Spinner edition

The Rusty Spinner
























Hook: 18-14 to match your local PMD size
Thread:  8/0 rust
Tail: Microfibetts (3)
Body:  Rust colored Antron dub.  Hand blend something into it always but maintain the overall rust color you see on the natural spinner.  You can tie these entirely in white for greater visibility at dusk.
Ribbing:  6/0 rust or brown colored thread.
Wing:  White or clear Poly yarn

Those big, PMD spinner sipping rainbows on the lower Clark Fork giving you a hard time even though your Rusty Spinner usually whacks em? Take your nippers and cut a good amount of material from the Poly wings so that the fly loses the ability to float well.  Soak the fly purposely.  Grease your leader up to about 6-4" (15-10 cm).  Keep a tight as line as possible while maintaining the fly in a dead drift.  Watch the tip of the fly line and or look for the boil at the right time and place.  Super fun and effective!!

 

Friday, June 20, 2014

Wire body soft hackle

Wire body soft hackle
























Hook:  Any size nymph hook
Thread:  Brown 6/0
Body:  2 different color medium sized wire
Thorax:  Pear ice dubbing
Wing:  Partridge soft hackle

These flies are freaking awesome and fun to tie and fish.  Floatfisher has been posting wire body flies all winter and spring and I caught the bug, no pun intended.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Westslope Trout Unlimited spreads the love of fly fishing at the Cabela's grand opening.

Two bits of good news about the new Cabela's in Missoula.

  • The fly fishing section sucks big-time.  I really thought they'd have had one of those little fake fly shops in there or something.  So, it is still just as easy to support your local fly shop!
  • The grand opening event brought a lot of outdoors people to one place which was great for spreading the love of fly fishing, fly tying, and stream conservation. 
Montana Trout Unlimited's Kids Camp at Georgetown lake is July 13-17!  Click here to find out more.


http://www.westslopetu.org/
fly tying with families and kids

















Elmer P. - TU volunteer and fly tyer extraordinaire


















Elmer P. teaching casting to the next generation.




Sunday, June 15, 2014

Elk Hair Caddis

A previously munched Al Troth's Elk Hair Caddis
























I don't think I'll be happy until I have an entire boat box filled with Elk Hair Caddis in every size and color combination.  I'm getting there, slowly.  One of my favorite sizes and color combinations is the cream hackle/ light hair in a size 16-14.  It covers 3 bases and is durable - it's why it's a classic.

First, it obviously works for the small light colored natural caddis.  Second, it's super visible and works for any colored caddis on those 11pm sunset, caddis insanities we're about to experience.  Third, it is the perfect pattern for the spruce moths which come along later in the summer.


  

Friday, June 13, 2014

Flower power - Bitterroot style

There is nothing in the world like early summer in Montana!!  RBM has been up in the hills a bunch lately for work and the early summer wildflowers are as awesome as the early summer fishing right now.  More on the fishing to come...

Lewisia rediviva - bitterroot blossom












Lots of bitterroots












Almost the entire Bitteroot Mountain range in one shot!






Butterfly or moth on a blanket flower - Gaillardia aristata








Thursday, June 12, 2014

"Mine waste repository being built in Blackfoot headwaters"

This Missoulian article explains the movement of mine tailings from the Mike Horse Mine at the headwaters of the Blackfoot River to a repository being built near Lincoln.

I don't think most people know about the Mike Horse Mine, which constantly and eternally pukes acid mine drainage into the headwaters of the beloved Blackfoot River.  There is also a large earthen dam which is made from mine tailings.  Not only is the dam itself undergoing acid rock drainage (ARD), but the dam is susceptible to massive failure.  In the 70's after an intense rainstorm, the tailings dam blew out and a bunch of nasty, metal laden acid water washed downstream causing a MASSIVE fish kill.

By the 90's, when Robert Redford made A River Runs Through It, a movie based on Maclean's novella about a family who grows up fishing the "Big Blackfoot," the quality of the fishery was still recovering and he chose to shoot the entire movie on other streams.  None of the filming took place on the actual Blackfoot!

Anyway, you know I like to show pics of this stuff.  RBM Chronicles is your source for mine waste porn!

One of a series of settling ponds 

Monster earthen dam made out of mine tailings

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Behind the Scenes of America's Largest Superfund Stream Restoration Project

The Milltown floodplain is still CLOSED to the public
























The Milltown Dam removal, toxic sediment remediation,  and subsequent restoration of the Clark Fork's floodplain is part of the largest EPA Superfund complex in the country.

The floodplain has been closed for years while the heavy construction work was done.  Last year, the river channel opened but the floodplain remains closed to allow for the vegetation to establish.

I've had the chance to work down in the floodplain over the years and I've seen some really cool stuff that I think the public should see.  I talk about Milltown a lot and here's what I get from people:

"I've gone to the new overlook.  The interpretive signs are great but the floodplain looks like shit."

and:

"I always look down there as I drive by on the interstate.  When are they going to plant some trees?"

I attribute this solely to the fact that the only way to view the massive site, is to view it from off a giant cliff or from the Interstate which is elevated and is closest to the site as it runs past the lower or most western reach.

Here's the deal.  Both of those observation points are not only way up in the air and a million miles away, but that part of the floodplain was the absolute last part of the project to get revegetated.  Here's what I mean:

lowermost reach of the Milltown floodplain
























This picture shows the lower reach of the floodplain.  This is the area which is just below the overlook and what you see when you drive past Bonner.  This area was the last to receive revegetation treatments and has not had the time to undergo much successional growth yet.

upper reaches of the Milltown floodplain
























In contrast, this shot was taken in the upper reaches of the site which are (for the most part) out of view to the public.  These sandbar willows (Salix exigua) are about 12 feet tall and too thick to walk through.  I worked in this section in 2012 and it looked just like the picture of the lower reach.  I could not believe how huge the willows got in such a short time.  Also notice that nice little alder (Alnus incana) in the middle.


Willows with scale
























Another thing people ask about is the grassy slope and the tunnel by the overlook.


Old Milwaukee Road rail tunnel


Once the floodplain is open to the public, the tunnel will stay closed.  Aww!  I was really hoping it would be part of the bike trail.

























The grassy slope you see from the interstate that used to be "Tunnel Lake" is now an on-site, toxic sediment repository.  The worst shit went to Opportunity but some did stay.  There is at least one other of these repositories on site.  The rocks around the edge is drain tile designed to keep the mine waste separated from the water table.  It's the same drain tile system you see all over Butte.

Micro-habitat
























One thing you'll quickly notice once folks can get down there, is that the floodplain is littered with tons and tons of large woody debris called a "wood matrix."  The matrix provides many ecological and hydrological functions but the most interesting to me is the micro habitat conditions it can provide.  Micro habitat like this can produce a higher diversity of plants.  You can see two, very different micro habitats in this picture and two different plant species with totally different habitat requirements growing within inches of each other.

Although they can be hard to spot without a trained eye, there is still a little bit of evidence of the historic metals contamination.

Some blue metals salting
























You don't need a trained eye for these ones!  I debated putting these on here but folks are going to see this shit once the floodplain opens.  They might as well get a heads-up.

Bare slicken surrounded by thick revegetation
























Disclaimer:  RBM does not work for Evirocon, the EPA, the DOJ, or Geum Environmental Consulting and these are my own pictures, opinions, and thoughts.  I had authorization to be down there.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Suprise trip to the Big Hole

The prettiest sun dog I've ever seen
























RBM got a last minute invite to go float the Big Hole with two guides yesterday.  I learned a bunch of new stuff including some new flies and a classic "dude rig" using streamers that I can't wait to use, on some family and friends who need all the help they can get, of course.  I'll post on that soon.

The Big Hole is big and clear (tea colored like always) and fished pretty good.  It took two guides and a trout bum a little while to solve the puzzle on the unfamiliar water, but when we did it was on!

The rivers around Missoula are about to start fishing balls-to-the-wall in the next week or so.  Folks are already on the Blackfoot fishing the colored water and word is that salmonflies on the Creek are days away. I'm going to check out my not so secret high water spot on the lower Clark Fork today.  The Upper Clark Fork looked pretty damn sexy as we drove past it yesterday.  Here we go, summer fishing!

Mostly cloudy on the Big Hole = brown trout


Friday, June 6, 2014

National Trails Day hike down to the Milltown floodplain - Tomorrow!



 































Lots of stuff going on tomorrow.  Get off yer ass and do something.

Big Water 5WT Rod Challenge - Tomorrow!!


Opportunity, Montana: Big Copper, Bad Water, and the Burial of an American Landscape - a review


Brad Tyer's debut book Opportunity, Montana: Big Copper, Bad Water, and the Burial of an American Landscape is a must read for anyone involved in stream restoration and conservation - at any level.

The book does a great job chronicling the rise of the Copper Kings, the history of Milltown, Opportunity, Anaconda, and Butte and the brutal treatment and destruction of the Clark Fork River watershed in the name of progress and profit.  Tyer also archives the lead-up and movement to remove Milltown Dam which held back millions of cubic yards of toxic, metal laden sediments.

Interwoven perfectly into the discoveries Tyer makes regarding the Clark Fork Restoration Project, is a touching story regarding the relationship he has had with his late father.  I am a stream restoration guy who has spent most of my professional career working on some aspect of this project.  More than one person Tyer interviews in the book has been my boss at some time.  I have done it all with the backdrop of a shitty relationship with my father.  It was like Tyer wrote this book for me personally!

The heart of the book revolves around the case of environmental injustice Tyer makes for the town of Opportunity, MT.  This tiny "town" is centered in the middle of a sea of toxic mine waste dumps called "tailings ponds."  Google Earth Opportunity, MT to get an idea of the scale of this mess!  When Milltown Dam was removed, the toxic sediment needed to go somewhere and Tyer highlights the decision making process which led to Opporunity paying the price for Missoula's restored river. 

Brad Tyer's writing carries you swiftly through a lot of history and litigation which is no easy task.  I found that his slight sarcasm, use of some great quotes, and a little bit of snark to be the perfect way to hear some of these stories that I was already pretty familiar with.  This book is a treasure trove of history and research and is a great resource to have on the bookshelf after you've read it.

I did find a couple of irrelevant errors in the text.  The book gets some minor technicalities wrong like the location of the mouth of Blacktail Creek and it also says that brown trout are native to MT, which they're certainly not.  These minor details have no effect on the story but did make me a bit nuts when I came across them.

The Opportunity, Montana blog provides many national reviews and stories from brad from the lead-up to the book release last fall.  Check it out for more info on the project, the town, and a bunch of great pics.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The Tank Man - some things transcend flyfishing

Sometimes you got to put down the fly rod and stand up for peace and democracy - peacefully.  If you thought the late season dry fly fishing on the MO was tough, imagine standing in front of 4 Chinese tanks on this horrific day 25 years ago.

Jeff Widener's infamous photo

























In memory to those that died in Tienanmen Square 25 years ago and everyone else who has had the guts to stick up for their fellow human beings, in all shapes, colors, and forms.  RBM thanks you.

The Rainbow Warrior

The Rainbow Warrior

























Hook:  Size 22-14 (18-16 is my favorite) scud hook
Thread:  Pink 6/0
Tail:  Pheasant tail fibers
Body:  Medium pearl tinsel
Thorax:  Hand blended dubbing - damsel blue,  white/grey antron for glue, pink shrimp scud dubbing
Bead:  Silver

"want you to know, I'm a rainbow too
so to the rescue, here I am"


 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Lightning Bug

Green Lightning Bug


Hook: 22-16 (18 1XL with bead is best) nymph hook
Thread: 8/0 green
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers
Body: Pearl tinsel
Thorax: Peacock or golden brown Ice Dub
Wing case:  Pearl tinsel
Bead: Anything but gold however, gold will work (silver is shown)

This is a great mayfly attractor fly for both tailwaters and freestones.  They are really easy to tie and make great droppers in dry/dropper setups.

On a side note, one thing that I love (and there's not many) about the Northeast and Midwest is the actual lightning bugs which put on mind blowing displays in the meadows and fields on those muggy summer nights. I had never seen a lightning bug in Montana until last summer.  Of all places, it was at Warm Springs downstream of the settling ponds.  At first, I though I was catching a reflection of a shiny fly someone had lost in the willows.  Then more appeared.  By full darkness, they were everywhere.  I still don't know what to think of this event.

Also, until I get in trouble, I'll match a song to the album cover I use for a backdrop.
 

Monday, June 2, 2014

Brown trout, brown cows, blue soil, clear water

Mount Powell and the upper Clark Fork
























The Clark Fork above the Little Blackfoot is running big and clear, and is fishing well.  It looks like it would be a great float and I didn't even see one boat.

I fished  from below the spillway, all the way down to Galen over two days.  The fishing slows down as you go downstream but you won't see another person for miles.  It was too windy to mess with the ponds.

A green Matuka or JJ Special worked great in the mornings and the large browns were pissed and came out of the shadows.  Nymhing worked best in the afternoon.  A firebead Ray Charles with a Little Green Machine or Rainbow Lightning Bug dropper killed it.  There are some huge rainbows which show up on my line up there every so often.  The common belief is that they've flushed over the spillway from the ponds.  I like to think they swam up there from the lower river.

Copper salts percolating out of soil 
























Something important for folks to witness is the toxic, metal laden soils which line the banks and floodplain. The majority of the contamination came in 1908 when a 100 year flood turned the entire Clark Fork Valley into a massive toxic mudslide.  The flood waters flushed decades worth of industrial scale mine waste out of Butte and Anaconda and deposited it over 90 miles of floodplain.  A bunch of the sediment from the flood filled in the brand-spanking-new Milltown Reservoir.  The stumps are dead willows which could not grow in the toxic soil.  We call them "ghost willows."

Copper salts up close






















Overly friendly brown cows