Articles

7 terrestrial tips

How to take advantage of terrestrial season, both above and below the surface

by George Daniel - Tuesday, Jul 13th, 2021

Guide Andreas Manstein pores over his terrestrial selection on Rio Blanco, just upstream of the River of Dreams basecamp (photo: Magic Waters Lodge).

Once the heat of summer arrives and mayfly hatches wind down, some anglers believe dry fly fishing opportunities largely disappear. While heavy hatches and water boiling with rising trout may indeed be a memory until next spring, opportunities to find fish feeding near the surface still abound. As temperatures rise, terrestrial activity increases, and it is well known that terrestrials—ants, beetles, crickets, inchworms, and more—offer excellent dry fly opportunities. But taking proper advantage of terrestrial season means covering all your bases, both above and below the water.

The fight for Montana's water

Can Montana water law survive the state's changing climate and rapidly growing population?

by Laura Lundquist - Wednesday, Jul 7th, 2021

The Yellowstone River flows at full bank, downstream of Livingston, Montana (photo: Pat Clayton / Fish Eye Guy Photography).

Earlier this spring, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (FWP) warned of a historic decline in brown trout populations in southern Montana. In some streams, brown trout populations have dropped to the lowest levels recorded in 50 years. As a result, FWP asked the public for input on proposed fishing restrictions designed to protect brown trout in some of Montana’s most heralded trout water, including the Big Hole, Ruby, Boulder, Beaverhead, Yellowstone, Madison, Shields, and Stillwater rivers. Citing scientific studies conducted both by FWP and the U.S.

How to fly fish tight, low, skinny water

Tips for fishing in some of the most challenging conditions of the year

by Spencer Durrant - Monday, Jul 5th, 2021

Photo: M. Stoeger

Fishing tight, low, skinny water can be simultaneously frustrating and rewarding. And fishing these tiny creeks—most of which are so small anglers step over them without a second thought—often feels like more work than it’s worth. Whether because of fighting brush and losing flies, or dealing with impossibly spooky fish, it’s perhaps unsurprising that many anglers skip over this kind of water.

This is happening

Do-it-yourself bonefishing on Long Island in the Bahamas

by Chris Hunt - Friday, Jul 2nd, 2021

Photo: Chad Shmukler

No, you can’t actually see the tide drain the blonde sand flat southeast of Clarence Town harbor, but it happens fast. And it happens in toto. As in, when the tide goes out, it goes all the way out, leaving behind something akin to a Walmart parking lot after a thunderstorm.

Seemingly, one minute the warm Caribbean water is there. The next, it’s gone.

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