http://www.anglersinn.net/

http://www.worldcastanglers.com/

http://www.orvis.com/store/home_page.aspx?bhcp=1

http://www.beaubeasley.com/

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

BEAU BEASLEY HOTOS
from Wyoming into Idaho, the last portion in
Idaho being referred to as the South Fork.
To say that strikes here at this time of the year are fast and subtle
is a great understatement. I fished for nearly four hours before I really
felt like I was finding the strike zone. That’s not to say I didn’t catch
fish, but I know I missed many, many more than I caught. This type
of fishing is certainly a numbers game, and landing 50 trout in a
single day can be done.
The second method is to use streamer patterns cast tight to the
bank. This technique results in much larger fish, but anglers may go
30 minutes without a good strike. This method is exciting, since you
can see the fish charging your fly, but also proves nerve racking since
you don’t know when the strike will come. Often, fish strike right
before the fly reaches the boat. John landed several nice trout in the
16- to 20-inch range, and lost perhaps a dozen others. He caught
so many, in fact, that I considered not inviting him to fish with me
again. As I mentioned before, he’s a “big” boy and my father in law,
so I tend to cut him a little slack.
As the day was nearing a close I began casting a size-4 white zuddler
tight to the bank. After a while I became distracted by the awesome
scenery and was sort of on auto-pilot casting and retrieving my fly, all
the while looking at the buttes and riverside cliffs. All at once my line
stopped and I was slammed back into reality as a massive cutthroat
turned with my white zuddler in his mouth. I took in a huge breath,
as I could tell the fish was easily 24 inches in length. In a split second
he spit out the fly and lazily headed back for the bank, my fly line
slumped in the water for lack of tension.
Despite the loss of this monster trout, the day went on pleasantly
enough, with Jim gently rowing John and me down the river. I learned
a lot on this trip, including that you really have to pay attention to
what you’re doing. You never know when you’ll cross paths with a
massive trout while fishing, or see a buffalo while driving. Did I just
say buffalo? I meant bison, of course.
Planning A Trip
A trip out West is like any other fishing trip and requires good
planning. Keep in mind that although the Snake may be the most
famous river near Jackson, Wyoming, other options are also available.
Anglers can use places like the Anglers Inn (800-867-4667;
www.anglersinn.net) as a base of operations and fish multiple
locations, like Wyoming’s Green, Salt or New Fork Rivers. In Idaho
you can also fish the South Fork of the Snake (where overnight
camping is an option) and fish the Teton River as well. A word to
the wise, however: Do your homework and make sure your guide
is legit. World Cast Anglers is the only Wyoming-based outfitter
legally licensed to guide on the South Fork of the Snake.
For more information on when and where to fish, or to attend
their guide school, contact World Cast Anglers at (800) 654-0676;
Web: www.worldcastanglers.com.
River Information
The uninformed might think that anglers are always fishing the
Snake River with huge terrestrials and other surface patterns. Although
this is certainly what’s made the Snake River famous, it hardly passes
as the only angling option when coming out to Wyoming, or Idaho
for that matter. Other rivers include the Green, Teton, Salt and New
Fork, as well as a half dozen others in Yellowstone National Park. A
great source for information on these waters is the Orvis Company
Store in Jackson Hole (307-733-5407; www.orvis.com).
Beau Beasley (www.beaubeasley.com) is an FFA contributing editor.
His first book, Fly Fishing Virginia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top
Waters, is a must for anglers who fish the Old Dominion.
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