If you’d like a little music to get in the proper frame of mind, press play before looking through the rest of the post.
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April—an interesting month weather-wise. One moment it’s sunny and 60. Green shoots and blades poke out from winter’s detritus. Then, suddenly, it’s struggling to make it into the 30′s and everything is re-sheathed in white. Spring is just a temptress, toying with the hearts of anglers.
A little more than 6″ of snow fell a couple of days ago with more forecasted the next two days. It’s enough to bring on the blues. |
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Blues comes in many varieties. But it’s in water where I find some of my favorite blues. Little grottoes in the early morning gather what little light they can to themselves. |  |
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Rushing, tumbling around rocks the rill races it’s course ever downward. A surreal little landscape of mist and moss. Thoughts of floating a fly through chutes and channels bob and weave their way through the dendrites. |
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 Our patience, flagging in the wind like so many of last year’s forgotten leaves, will carry us: we’ll hang on and wait out the last fits and sputters of winter’s encore. |
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And, just around the corner, our thinking-spring-thoughts will pan out quicker than we realize. The white frame of winter will give way to a permanence of green. As permanent as seasons can possibly be. |  |
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Me got da’ blues as well…size #20,size #18, parachutes, emergers, and duns. When you got dem’ blues you get dem’ cutts.
So let those blues roll, roll gently on the water…with nuttin’ but blue skies and tight lines strumming their beautiful deep music to sooth my empty soul.
TB, Yeah, I know your favorite blues are of the winged olive variety. While I’m singing the blues you’re fishing with them. Thanks for the invite!
hang in there! I keep telling my darlin wife that’s what’s different about the reoccuring snow these days: at least it’s from Spring storms! Those winter storms are behind us~ right? BTW- it’s #1 and #8 for me in this last batch- cool shots!
I’m hangin! I’m hangin! But the wind is blowing like crazy right now and we just picked up a good inch of snow in about 10 minutes. I can’t wait to see what I see in the morning – yuck! At least the stuff usually melts fairly quick, so it’s not too bad. I guess. (That is, if I absolutely have to be positive in some way about this.)
Gee, I almost hate to rub it in, but back here spring has arrived. Flowers blooming, early gardens are being put out-heck I have even mowed my lawn twice! Should be in the high 70′s today.
River is still a little too high for safe wading, but creeks and ponds are clearing up. Smallies are biting and the white bass run should start just about any time.
Hang in there guys-you’ll be out there on the water before you know it.
Go ahead Harry, rub it in–if it was me, I would
Mowed your lawn? Sheesh, we picked up another 4″ of snow last night covering our lawn. Blooming flowers? We still have a couple more weeks before that happens. Temp is at 33 right now. Wind howling from the northeast. Yeah, we’re hanging in there!
It may be warm here, but I’m fishing for bass-you guys will be fishing for trout and I think I like your scenery better too.
With a little (ok, a lot) of luck I may be able to sneak out your way come September. We have never been out that way in the fall and have been talking about making the trip this fall.
If you plan it just right, September can be great for fishing and autumn leaves in the high country. Make sure you keep me posted if your plans take you anywhere near northern Utah (that goes from Yellowstone, to southern Montana and south-central Idaho) and we’ll hook up for a bit of fly flinging.
The guide we have used for years out of Dillon has been trying to get us out there for the fall browns on the Big Hole so that may be in the plan.
We also want to see the Yellowstone area in the fall so a couple days there and of course a stop along the Madison will be required.
And somewhere along the way I would like to make it down to the Grey.
If it happens I will certainly keep you posted. Would love to get together.
hey Scott- been meaning to get this posted for ya. Blues?- you might like a coupla/few of these:
http://www.playlist.com/playlist/17945169163/standalone
…thinking one of #1-#4 might suit a blues fan. Luvin Everlast’s Fulsom Prison and funky How You Like Me Now right now.
Mike,
I liked “How You Like Me Now” best. “Folsom Prison Blues” was good too. Good thing I didn’t listen to “Ali in the Jungle” while my students were in the classroom! As a motorcycle rider myself (rode the bike in to school this morning – 33 degrees F, thank you very much), how could I not like “Beat the Devil’s Tattoo” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club? Thanks for the suggestions!
ya, sorry bout Ali- we have a tamer version on our itunes at home. Got dinged by that myself: you shoulda seen all our eyes big as dinner plates when the boy played my list at the breakfast table last week. Had some ‘splainin to do allright. Note to self: fix the playlist! mike
He-he-he-he!