Page 181 - North 40 Outfitters

I'm just about to go to bed and am feeling fired up to fish in the morning. My car is ready to hit the road early, head back to Great Falls, and then trek to Bozeman, where it will remain for the weekend. The wind is howling, like it always does, but I still want to fish. I have not passed up on an opportunity to fish for a long time. Working at 10:30 gives me plenty of time to spend $15 bucks on gas, $5 bucks on a pair of breakfast burrito's at Quigleys while there's still moonlight and a shot at the big one, which will probably just spit the hook. I think she is the reason for me fiending my instant return the river in the first place. Working with Fred, Cornfeed, Shane, and Matt this week has sparked many fishing related conversations ranging from Ling to snot rockets. Lots of customers passing through say fishing has been great for t...

Good morning to all you 'wake up early the day after Christmas and check Missouri River fishing blogs to see what you missed out on yesterday' hardcore anglers. For me, this Christmas was very different than any I had ever had the pleasure of living through thus far. It was the first year I didn't make the long drive or short flight back to the land of cheeses and packaged meats (chalk up another pack attack.) When working the week before and week following Christmas Day, this is where I fortunately had to spend my Christmas. Yes, I missed Mom, Dad, Sisters, Nephews, Aunts,Uncles, Grandma, and the fluff balls, but I didn't miss out on stroking feisty rainbows and browns just south of town. They all say the tug is the drug, and it was on Christmas day. I met with 'Party' Paul Constandine, and long time Mo. River guide, and hell of a good ...

For the average guy there are 2 ways to trick trout with both hands on the rod. One is on the swing, and the other nymphing. There are plenty of opinions out there on using two handed rods to nymph with an indicator, and if it’s not your thing, it’s not your thing. Two Handing in the Winter: Fly Rod Choices I would personally rather swing, but if my buddy is bent consistently for hours, and I’m coming up empty I will admit I like to catch fish, especially when it’s cold (when it’s warm you can say you are "just enjoying the weather," or you are "experimenting" with new fly patterns, in the winter... you start to think you should have just stayed home). However, nymphing for trout with a two-hand rod on the Missouri is extremely effective due to high winds and big water, and if you are a wade fisherman, then the two-hand rod may...

We've had a pretty mild fall so far in Great Falls which has led to more December fishing than usual. Streamers and nymphs have been the methods of mayhem on the Missouri this fall/winter. Today it was 45 degrees at 8am, so we will be on the water. The Good: Here is the alternative to pink or firebead selection (pictured left to right). Soft Hackle Dead Ray: Ray Charles with a turn of soft hackle, and a hint of orange or pink in the body. Agee's Natural Sow: Good standard sow bug pattern with a good Missouri River guide's name on it. Rainbow Warrior: Invented by Lance Egan from Utah, this has become a staple pattern since Hareline's invention of Rainbow Scud Dubbing. Spring Creek Scud: Smaller sized scud pattern, with the right amount of color and more sparse than most commercially tied scuds. Tung Teaser: Zebra Midge with a tail and tho...

It was cold, damp, and wintry in Livingston today. It is deep winter in the Rockies. The river is jammed up with ice, and the only open water that can be found is capped with films of slush ice. I broke out the sticks and ran some drifts in nice and close, started with the indicator after that thinking that I could pursue more fish, trying to keep the spook to a minimum. This produced one flimsy little whitey. Ice closed the gap within my guides every five to seven casts. Combinations of four letter words slipped from my mouth on numerous occasions. I thought about calling it early, but recalled what Jamie at the Yellowstone Angler told me earlier. I started to swing fat headed creatures with heavy tips, only so I could penetrate the slush and mini ice islands. This worked. Polarized was key today. Many fish would follow up the swung out...

Sharptail Media's new teaser on the Missouri River hit the net this week, and has already created some exciting buzz among Missouri lovers.The teaser will be featured on next year's Fly Fishing Film Tour (North 40 will be hosting in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn on March 30th and in Sandpoint, ID at the Panidaon April 20th). Simon Perkins who is behind Sharptail Media and the new ''Sipping Dry" trailer lives in Helena, Montana and is an avid fly fisherman and bird hunter in the area, and has guided birds and fisherman in the region for a number of years. I can't wait to see the movie at F3T this year, as I imagine the trailer represents the final product with dry flies, the Missouri, some of the best local fishermen, skiff boats, and choosy Missouri trout which will make this a great show. Is it almost April? "Sipping Dry" trailer - by...

It’s windy, it’s December, its cold, the fisherman are few, and the fish numerous. Central Montana doesn’t get much better than this, in one guys’ opinion. Fishing the Mo has been ultra-productive as of late.  Do you like to nymph? Than you will like our world class tail water.  Do you like to launch streamers? I do to, and the fish are on them.  In this wind, you will be hard pressed to find much for other fisherman once you get over a quarter mile from any access points. You can post up on froggy water and touch a dozen fish pretty quick. If you want to work on the long cast, pull the anchor and watch the guy on the bow light up the banks, and many times, the middle.  Strip fast, swing long, twitch, it’s up to you, and it’s all working. It’s been exciting fishing a highly visible streamer just to see fish follow it. St...

I have a dilemma every Thanksgiving. The time. Why do people eat at 2 o'clock? What time did the original Thanksgiving take place? I figure I have a day off on a perfectly sweet fall afternoon... in which I am very thankful for, and in which I very much want to go fishing. So I want to be clear, I think it is a good thing to take a day to give thanks for all that we are fortunate enough to have... I just would like to do that on the river. I am very lucky to have the family that I have as they realize I have an obsession, and make annual compromises for Turkey dinnertime. This year I chose noon. I wanted to work with my dog doing some waterfowl hunting in the morning and made plans to make it to the Mo for an afternoon float. I brought Paul Bloch his Thanksgiving dinner to the boat ramp as he had been fishing all morning with pretty succ...

We had an epic trip down to Honduras this past week.10 of us tuffed out lobster tail, Francisco the bar keep, Bonefish, tropical weather, our own private island, fresh Wahoo, and&hellip' sand flies.Yes the sand flies were rough but were a small price to pay for a week in paradise.For me, one day made my trip pretty amazing&hellip' November 5th, 2011 I woke up early to cloudy skies and 2 Bonefish cruising unbothered 10 feet from my cabin door.I shook my girlfriend Christie to start getting ready to go fishing, stepped outside and got my rods ready, walked back in, and shook Christie to start getting ready&hellip' this time with success.About 50 steps from the cabin is the bar/restaurant which sits on stilts over the water.Francisco the bar tender brought the coffee and some peach juice and a Bonefish cruised up next to the doc...

Transitions We just got snow and the forecast is looking cold. The season has changed, and so have our rivers. We are fortunate to have access to a year round fishery on the Missouri. As the smaller freestone rivers lock down with ice and slushy flows, we will continue to have open water and feeding fish all winter long. Fishing weather depends on your constitution. I like calm days with temps near or above freezing. I know some guys will fish in just about any condition. In the cold season, you will need to pick your days, but they can be great days if you take advantage of them. As water levels and temperatures drop, the fish move to the edges of the current, below shelves and drop offs, and into slow runs and deep froggy waters. Fish are no longer spread through the riffles and runs so productive during the summer months. This is not ...

We have had two beautiful days of weather down here in Honduras. Bonefish are tailing all the time but very spooky here and hard to catch. Monte and KK saw and casted at 4 groups of Permit today. I saw 2 Permit in front of our cabin this morning (Permit are here). Dirk Johnsrudd landed his first bonefish today and got it all on film (he knows the strip set...wait for the video). Lou also landed his first few Bonefish today. Paul and Dan caught us lunch this morning and went out with Grahams in the deep sea boat this morning. The caught some Cuda's, Wahoo, and Bonitas. We had some great fresh grilled Wahoo today at lunch. We have been trying to catch one of the big Trigger Fish that are all over the flats and this evening we finally did it. Just past the lodge La Manazana (Steve) landed a big Trigger. Christie, Paul, and Sam all broke off...

Rough weather today made spotting fish really tough. High winds and socked in with clouds today, with patches of rain. However, I did get a few big Bonefish by the lodge this morning. Monte landed a really nice 7lb-ish size Bonefish which was the highlight of the day. KK had 4 Permit behind his fly today and followed him all the way to about 10 feet from him. We saw lots of trigger fish and parrot fish. Shrimp, Lobster, and Grouper tonight for dinner. We are sitting on the deck listening to country music and drinking our favorite flavors... until tomorrow!