Tags: Flies

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve posted an interview in our People of Fly Fishing series; here’s one we’re very pleased to share.

We chatted with Steve Galletta, one of the principles at Montana Trout Anglers (source of the image to the right) and blogging about the Bighorn here, way back in May during what the start of the flooding runoff this year.

He and his team have been busy as hell working the remainder of the summer season and he’s recently taken a little time out to answer some questions for us about his guide service and the Bighorn.

Steve has a good guide team working with him and he has an interesting perspective on things outdoors given his educational foray into environmental policy in college.

Montana’s runoff this spring and into early summer was mind-boggling. How did it affect things on the Bighorn this year?

It ultimately changed the way we fish the river. The Bighorn is one of the best wade fishing rivers in the world and the high water this year made us spend more time in the boat. It also set our hatches back almost 4 weeks. We had great midge hatches in May which typically are in full swing during early April. Also the PMD’s and Sallies came late as well. The amazing thing about the Bighorn is that the fish are so keyed into the emergences they came to the surface readily for the PMD’s and Sallies in July when the water was at 11,000 cfs. The fish found calm water below what used to be islands and on what used to be grassy banks. It was incredible to see and the fishing was great.

How’d you get started in the business? Would you do it again?

I’ve been fly fishing since the age of nine and I have always spent as much time as I could on the water. It was a natural progression for me to start guiding during my summer breaks in college. After I got my degree I just stayed with it. I would definitely do it again, the nice thing is once you learn how to guide you can almost do it anywhere and it allows you to see some incredible places thru your work. The game has definitely become harder to get into, but still worth doing.

What do you really love about the Bighorn and the area?

The Bighorn offers an angler the widest range of fishing diversity in one location. Nymph, dry fly or streamer fisherman can have an incredible experience on this river.

The thing that I love most about the river is the “match the hatch” dry fly fishing. The numbers of fish eating dry flies at times is mind boggling. The other thing that I enjoy almost just as much as the fishing is the area. When you are on the Bighorn and in Fort Smith your mind is on one thing and that’s fishing. It provides anglers with a true escape from everything.

If you had to pick just one fly for each season on the Bighorn, what would be in your box?

There is so much happening during each season it is hard to give you one; so here’s a few.

In the spring I would carry a Black Zebra Midge, BWO Wonder Nymph and a cdc bwo Sparkle Dun.

In the summer it would be a PMD sparkle dun, Morrish Hopper, Grey Ray and a Silverman’s Para Sally.

During the fall I would carry a Trico Spinner, size 22 Para Adams with a black post, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow and whatever your favorite streamer is.

How about your personal favorite time to fish the Bighorn?

My favorite time to fish the Bighorn is during March and April. The river is almost void of anglers during the week, the midge and baetis fishing can be incredible and it’s nice to be on the water after a long winter.

Montana’s highly revered stream access law survived a serious challenge from some in the Montana legislature this past year. What’s your spin on the stream access issue and do you think it’s all said and done at this point?

Stream access is the most important issue we face, it’s not whether anglers should have felt on their boots or not. The stream access law will continue to be challenged at least every few years in Montana. The water in this state is owned by the people and meant to be shared by the people. Our ability to access our state waters is a true indicator of our democracy in this country. If anglers, non-profits and politicians maintain their alliance to protect our stream access law, we will be fine.

Living amidst some of the most incredible water in the world, where do you head to fish when you’re ‘getting away from work’?

Since I spend most of my time guiding a tailwater river, I spend my time off on freestone rivers such as the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Big Hole Rivers. My time to get away is March, April and October and there is no better time to experience fly fishing in Montana.

What’s an ideal ‘day at the office’ for you?

My ideal day is spent with open minded anglers who are willing to learn and adapt to the fishing conditions we face on the river that day. There are always new techniques to learn and I find that catching fish using a new technique is very rewarding for clients. I see it all the time when we fish streamers. I also love introducing anglers to the lower Bighorn, especially when they have only ever fished the stretch below Afterbay Dam.

If you could inspire fly fishers to do just one thing from a conservation standpoint in 2011, what would it be?

Stream access is by far is the most important issue we face as anglers. Non- resident anglers need to become just as aware of the issue as residents and let their voice be heard.

If you weren’t guiding and outfitting, what line of work would you be in?

My degree is in environmental policy so possibly working for a non-profit protecting the angling opportunities we all enjoy.

Tags: People of Fly Fishing

Every year about this time the Bighorn has a couple weeks of tougher fishing.  The lake is turning over, discoloring the water somewhat but this will subside later this month.  Last week, flows went up to over 3,400 cfs, which as you might imagine had a negative impact on the trout.  But the water has settled back at a more reasonable level and the fishing is picking up.

Pretty much the only dry fly option is Baetis at the moment, and the hatch can be pretty good.  Look for the most intense action on cloudy and rainy days between noon and four or five in the evening.

Streamer fishing has been the way to go lately.  Deep olive and black are the colors of choice.  As with the BWOs, the worst weather days make for the best fishing.  As far as nymphing goes, scuds, pheasant tails, san juan worms and soft hackles have been the best.

Tags: River - Bighorn

As many other rivers in the area, the Bighorn is transitioning from its summer pattern to fall.  The days of hopper fishing are long gone.  If there were any terrestrials left, they won’t last beyond tomorrow night.  The forecast low for Friday night is -4 here in Bozeman.  That’s damn cold.

The cool weather is bringing BWOs out in force on the Bighorn, which is one plus to the temps.  The blue wings are most active on cloudy days.  Some of the worst days for a human are the best days for BWOs.  You know when ice is hanging off your beard and you have to clear your guides every few casts that it will be a good blue wing day.

Psuedo’s are still around in pretty good numbers in the afternoons.  If nothing is happening on top, tie on a double nymph rig with a san juan worm, pheasant tail, scud, prince or other bead head nymph.  Nymphing has been really good lately.  Streamer fishing is also picking up on the cloudy days.

Tags: River - Bighorn

The Bighorn is fishing well.  Flows are just above 3,000 cfs this morning, which is a pretty good level for both floaters and wader fishermen.  Due to the hot weather, there are a lot of weeds in the water this time of year.  Be ready to deal with it.

Hoppers have been pretty hot all year, but they are starting to slow down.  The fish have seen a lot of patterns this year, and are getting smart.  You will still be able to pick up some dumb ones on the standard hopper patterns, but you better have something unique if you are after the bigger fish.  Adding a little movement might elicit a strike.  

Ants are also a pretty good choice.  Often overlooked by anglers in the grips of “hopper fever”, fishing an ant pattern near brushy banks can be very productive.  Be sure to have some in your box.  Same goes for beetles.  Black caddis are the other main dry fly attraction these days.  Coming off mainly in the evenings, this hatch will give you good fishing.  

Nymphing with ray charles, san juans, sowbugs, and the standard tailwater nymphs is an option when nothing is happening up top, but it is hard to fish subsurface this time of year.

Tags: River - Bighorn

The Bighorn seems to be holding pretty steady these days.  Except for flows, which have come up yet again in the past few days.  As of last night, flows were reading at 3,340 cfs up from around 3,000 cfs for most of the week.

Like many other rivers at this point in time, hoppers are the ticket.  Mornings seem to be best for them.  Caddis are coming off in the evenings, with scattered mayflies around as well.  Any of the standard patterns should work well.  Because of the pressure these fish have seen this year, put a premium on presentation.

If you choose to nymph, go deep.  Sow bugs, san juans, caddis and mayfly pupae and emergers, soft hackles and princes are all good choices.  Streamers have been working well on the cloudy days.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Flows bumped back up again on the Bighorn two days ago to over 3,500 cfs.  They had been under 3,200 for several days, which was great for fishing.  The higher flows mean less water is accessible to wade fishermen and the fish are going to be deeper.

Hoppers seem to be the main dry fly over here.  This year, like over on the Madison, is going to be an epic hopper year.  Anything that is big and even remotely looks like a hopper should take fish.  Hang a caddis pupae off the back end for the best results.

Black caddis have been a staple of the trout’s diet as well.  Look for them in the afternoons and evenings.  The PMDs that were so prevalent not that long ago are all but gone.  Nymphing is working well on days when nothing is happening on top.  Sow bugs, ray charles, san juans, caddis and mayfly pupae are all effective if you can get them deep enough.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Flows on the Bighorn are being lowered again, down to 3,500 cfs at some point in the next few days.  This means already good fishing conditions are going to stay that way!

Hoppers are the big news over here, as on most rivers right now.  With the lower flows and warmer temps, the bugs are really starting to move around.  Hopper fishing is only going to get better over the next few weeks.  

Black caddis are also beginning to show up in greater numbers.  All the reports I have heard indicate these caddis are between sizes 14 and 16 and appear mainly in the afternoons and evenings.  Keep an eye out for scattered PMD hatches in the mornings, although they are starting to taper off.

Nymphing, as always continues to be very productive.  Sow bugs, san juan worms, ray charles, caddis pupae, and prince nymphs are the best right now.  Streamers, especially dark colored ones, have been picking up some fish in the transitional light hours.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Flows have come down quite a bit on the Bighorn in the past week: down to just over 4,000 cfs at St. Xavier this morning.  This means that it is now possible (and safe) to wade the river!  It also means dry fly fishing is picking up.

The fish have really been going after hoppers more and more lately.  The bugs are still fairly small, but will be getting bigger and bigger in the next few weeks.  Fish a hopper, beetle or ant near the bank for the best luck.  There have also been some black caddis coming off in the mornings, and more caddis in the afternoons and evenings.  

Nymphing is still going to produce more fish than dries.  Caddis and mayfly patterns are especially deadly right now.  The ever popular (on this river anyway) scuds and sowbugs will bring fish up, provided you fish them deep enough.

The Bighorn is going to have a better summer.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Flows are finally dropping over on the Bighorn.  As of this morning, flows out of the dam are around 7,300 cfs.  About time they were coming down.  There is still a lot of water in the river, but conditions are much better.

The fish remain hungry for nymphs, particularly worms, sow bugs, ray charles, and caddis and mayfly nymphs.  Streamers are also a good bet.  Think big, dark and flashy.  Due to the dropping flows, fish are coming out of their hiding places in the deep, but you still need to get your flies down there.

Dry fly action is really starting to pick up.  There is a variety of choices: caddis, yellow sallies, and PMDs.  The PMDs have been the heaviest.  Hit this hatch in the mornings and early afternoons.  The caddis are out mainly in the later afternoons and evenings.  

Even though flows have come down quite a bit, please take care if you choose to wade the river.  

Tags: River - Bighorn

There is a lot of water in the Bighorn right now.  Over 12,600 cfs as of this writing.  Clarity is good, but don’t plan to fish the river from the shore or wading though.  A boat is pretty much your only option.

Because of the amounts of water flowing, there is not a whole lot of surface activity at this time.  You might see some caddis flying around at some point, but don’t expect fish to be feeding on them. 

Instead, bring your heavy nymphs and split shot.  The best way to fish the river is to get your nymphs down deep.  The fish are holding near the banks, islands, pocket water, and almost any other fishy looking water.  If you are working a good run and not getting anything, then put on more weight.  You’ll get the hang of it.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Flows on the Big Horn have been bumped to over 12,400 cfs as of this morning.  There is a lot of water in the river right now, making wading somewhat dangerous.  Be careful. 

With the massive amounts of water in the river right now, the fish are holding in the pockets, pools and quiet places along banks, rocks and islands.  And they are holding deep.  Be ready to fish heavy nymphs with split shot to really get them down there.  If you can reach the fish, then the fishing hasn’t been too bad.

Stonefly nymphs, scuds, worms, caddis and mayfly nymphs have been working well.  Look for the pockets and get them down deep.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Flows are up over 11,000 cfs as of this morning on the Bighorn.  The fish are still feeding, but it is a nymphing game at this point.

Fish worms, scuds, stonefly nymphs, caddis and mayfly pupae deep in the good looking runs.  You are most likely going to have to bring some split shot to really get the bugs down there.  With flows like they are, not a whole lot is happening up top.

Streamers have been working well.  Red seems to be a good color right now.  Like the nymphs mentioned above, get them down deep!

Tags: River - Bighorn

Not a whole lot has changed on the Bighorn.  The fishing is good, the river is still pretty crowded, and the water remains clear. 

Midges and BWOs are the main course over here, both above and below the surface.  Look for the dries in the afternoons and fish small nymphs until then.  Streamer fishing has been pretty good too, especially on cloudy days.  Dead drift a large black wooly bugger through some of the deeper holes. 

The crowds have dissipated somewhat as other area rivers drop and clear.  The Bighorn is a good option right now.

Tags: River - Bighorn

Two things about the Bighorn seldom change this time of year: the fishing and the crowds.  The river is fishing good right now, and lots of folks know about it.  If you can stand the crowds, then you can do quite well.

There have been lots of Baetis on top still, mainly in the afternoons.  Baetis nymphs are a good choice at any time of day.  So are san juan worms and sow bugs.  Do these flies ever stop working?

Streamer fishing has been picking up.  With the recent bump in flows (up to 4,500 cfs out of the dam) it has gotten better.  The Bighorn is in good shape right now, one of the best in the neighborhood.

Tags: River - Bighorn