Good Morning Folks,

39 degrees right now and the low gray clouds are clinging to the surrounding mountains so characteristically of Autumn. Is summer over? Say it isn’t so, but the signs are everywhere that Fall has rolled into the Yellowstone region. Fresh snow on the Sphinx last week. A little bit of color beginning to light upon the leaves of the aspens. The bugle of a bull elk. Buttery yellow bellies on big, slightly kyped, and overly aggresive brown trout. Are you kidding me! Anyone staying with us now, better have a layer or two of fleece in the morning. The good news is, we have the most glorious Indian Summers around. 70 degree days, blue bird skies, light winds, fall color, and hungry trout.

So what to expect the final 3 weeks. Continued good terrestrial fishing just about everywhere. It has been a solid hopper season, and this action typically goes into the beginning of October. Look for flying ants to increase in importance too, especially on the Madison, Henry’s Fork, and Lamar rivers. The return of Baetis. This small olive colored mayfly has already started to show up in fishable numbers on the Madison and Gallatin. Look for the best activity on the gray and gloomy days, but don’t neglect the importance of nymphs in any weather condition. Green Drakes. Yes I said Green Drakes. Sister species to the more famous Green Drake of summer, this large Mayfly emerges on the rivers of the NE corner of Yellowstone, reminding the natvies that winter is long and you better fatten up for it. Streamers-Ripping the Junk Baybee! Exciting and aggresive action can be the anglers reward for sore casting arms and long days.

I am calling it-it has turned to our fall season and this is my favorite time of the year. There may not be a more special time of the year to be casting a line on our area’s rivers. So hopefully you have booked your fall trip to Yellowstone at the Firehole Ranch.

Let’s go fishing.

Rowan

It is the middle of August and the “dog days of summer” have set in. If by the dog days you mean that fishing is still going strong and the fish are eating to everyone’s pleasure. From the Madison to the Park and back again to the henry’s Fork, fishing remains strong across the board. The rain and snow of spring have kept the area’s rivers in great shape, running cold, clear and full. We have been hitting the Yellowstone around Gardiner for fantastic dry fly fishing. The name of the game here is Chilly Dawg, Baby! You could even throw double Chilly Dawg if you were feeling particularly greedy. But as the 80′s suggest, greed is good, and when the fish are biting, one must do what one must. The Henry’s Fork continues to produce all day happiness. Rubberlegs, Shop Vacs, and FB Princes are the key here. If you see the thingamabobber  jiggle, set! The Madison is starting to experience a serious hopper bite, Morris hoppers, baby huey’s, and para hoppers are lighting them up. I can’t take it anymore, it is time to hit the rivers.

Rowan

Hello Everyone,

August seems to be flying by as fast as the rest of the summer has so far. Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm right now, so a little duck and run has been the order of the day on our area’s rivers. In spite of Mother Nature’s best efforts to keep us from her fish, we have found good fishing from the Yellowstone, to the Madison, to the Henry’s Fork. What has been a very pleasant surprise for us this summer has been the very good and consistent fishing in the H-Fork from Warm River to Ashton. This highly overlooked stretch has been producing good fishing for 10-15″ rainbows all summer, and now we are knee deep into hopper season, look for the dry fly fishing to pick-up along side the already good nymph fishing. Speaking of hoppers, the Yellowstone is the King of Hopper Time in this area. Grab a handfull of Chilly Dawgs, Baby Huey’s and Parachute’s and have at it. The Madison is also a strong contender in the hopper department, especially in the float water. Now is the time. Be on the lookout for the honey colored flying ants. These juicy morsels can show up anywhere at anytime and the fish loooooovvvvveeeee them, ice cream for trout! If flying ant are ice cream, then spruce moths have got to be the brownies. Sprucies are showing up in good numbers anywhere there is spruce, fir, or pine trees. These clumsy fliers dive bomb the area’s water and drive the fish into feeding frenzies. Keep your fingers crossed that this action remains good throughout the month. All in all, it is a great time to be fishing in Yellowstone country. We are looking forward to fishing with you.

Tight Lines and Jumping Fish

Rowan

Good Morning Folks,

I cannot believe how fast this summer is moving along, July is almost over and the and it feels like it just begun. I swear yesterday we were chasing Salmonflies on the Madison and talking Green Drakes on the Henry’s Fork. A great month of fishing is wrapping up, but by all accounts I expect another great month is ahead of us.

So what can we look forward to in August fishing wise. Well, first and forenmost, are the bugs and the rise of the terrestrial. Hoppers, ant, and beetles become strong competitors for  the trout’s attention. As the heat of August burns the grasses to a beautiful golden yellow, the terrestrial begin to migrate towards greener pastures along the area’s riparian zones. Afternoon winds blown these land born insects into the watery confines of the rivers and lakes of Yellowstone. Wise anglers take advantage of this situation, and you can bet we will be looking for this action here at the Firehole. The recent Spruce Moth revolution takes hold in August as well, so look for this action to heat up soon. On top of the terrestrials, many stream born insects are still available to trout. Look for increased Callibaetis action of the area’s lakes and slower moving rivers such as the Ranch section of the Fork. Morning egg laying flights of caddis will still be present on the Madison, and lesser known Mayflies such as Epeorus and Heptagenia can pop in a variety of river systems. As the month wanes look for Baetis to appear on both the Gallatin and Madison River.

August is a great month for the angler who likes to wade fish. Warm, sunny days are a perfect recipe for wet wading the smaller, cold water streams of Yellowstone. For example, the Lamar, Slough, and Soda Butte are excellent fisheries in August and are personal favorites. Grab a beetle and a Flip Em’ Floppy and have it. Cover water and wait for those Cutties to consume the fly. The Gallatin is a fun river in August as well, it’s cold waters playing suit to the heat of August. Float fisherman are in luck to, as the Yellowstone is in prime shape this month and can be a ton of fun. If good numbers of flying ant, spruce moths, and hoppers are present, the Madison will continue to shine brightly. Nymphomaniacs will love the Box, especially towards the end of the month.

Only a few days left on July, so we better get done with the typing and start with the casting.

Fish On everyone.

Rowan

An interview with Ron & Carol

I recently sat down with Ron and Carol Kurtz and a cocktail before dinner to ask them a few questions about their 25-year history as guests of the Firehole Ranch.  Ron laughed aloud when asked about his most memorable fishing story, which was only a few years into the couple’s 25-year legacy.  Ron had been using a poorly-secured Coca-Cola crate as a seat in the guide’s boat that day.  On one particularly choppy bend in the river, the seat broke free from its screws and Ron collided with the side of the boat.  He didn’t think much of it; in those days fishing was perhaps more of a “contact sport” and he took it in stride.  After he righted himself (and presumably gave his guide a few choice words for upsetting his cast), Ron landed the biggest fish he has ever caught.  A magnificent 23” brown trout was his prize fish that day, and he returned to the Ranch a happy man.  Later that night, after the euphoria had worn off a bit, he realized he’d broken a few ribs in the boat resulting from the toppling Coca-Cola crate.  According to Ron, the broken bones were well worth that beautiful brown.  (To be clear, Coca-Cola brand seating is no longer used in any of our guides’ crafts.)

Carol started the first years of her Firehole experience not fishing, but reading.  She came to the Ranch for the peace and quiet that allowed her to enjoy innumerable books while her husband fished.  In 1996, she attended the Orvis Fly Fishing School, and from then on she’s been out on the river with her husband, feeding a comparable addiction to the sport.  Her most memorable time at the Ranch was in 1991, when the entire Kurtz family came, including their one year-old granddaughter.  She describes the Firehole Ranch as “adult summer camp”, citing all the wonderful people they’ve met over the years and the friendships that grow through reuniting with the other guests at the end of the day in the Firehole dining room.

Ah, the dining room.  When asked about their favorite meals, there was no hesitation from Ron.  His all-time favorite is Roasted Long Island Duck, with fresh cherry and thyme Madeira.  Bruno served the meal only a few days before, and as a server in the dining room, I can attest to Ron’s preference.  Not a speck of duck was left on his plate.  Carol’s favorite meal was slightly more difficult to pinpoint.  “All of them!” she said at first.  After a little thinking, she listed her current favorites.  Baked Fresh Atlantic Monkfish was among them, as was Bruno’s cedar plank salmon, which he serves weekly at the Ranch BBQ.  In the end, she added the Roasted New Zealand Rack of Lamb with Flageolet Beans and Roasted Garlic Jus.

So, what keeps them coming back?  For them, it’s the sum of many wonderful parts.  Ron affectionately quoted Montana’s nickname as he said, “The Firehole Ranch is the last best place in The Last Best Place.”  They cited their primary reason for coming back each year is the fishing.  Ron & Carol have always been pleased that the Firehole can cater to more than just “entry-level fishermen”, and the two continue to find new & challenging waters in the area, as well as return to their time-tested favorites.  Carol was quick to add that the friendliness and integration between guests creates a unique sense of warmth that is the heart and soul of the Ranch.

I would like to thank Ron and Carol for sharing with me some of their favorite memories from their many years as Firehole guests.  It is truly a pleasure to see their faces each year and try to make their current vacation the best one yet.