The Salmonfly hatch is probably the west's best known hatch and brings people from all over the world to fish Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington State. The adults can be up to three inches long and their clumsy nature makes them easy meals for trout who will gorge themselves on both the nymphs and adults. Like all stoneflies, they have incomplete metamorphism. Meaning that they spend most of their lives (up to three years) as nymphs, crawl to the banks when the water temperature and conditions are right, split their nymphal husks and emerge as adults. They then will live for a few days to about a week where they find a mate and the females will deposit their eggs back into the river, and then die.

The Collon Cura Lodge is a great property that is owned by Ted Turner. The property was very nice and had a small house where the guests stayed. And then at the main lodge they had a very nice sitting room, a small bar and a dinner area that could seat about 12 people. Our rooms were very nice and comfortable, and every amenity was welcome after camping the night before. After cleaning up we all made our way to the main lodge for drinks and appetizers. Soon we were seated around the dinning table as our gourmet meals were placed in front of us. We all made short work of a great meal and found our way back to our pillows. The great thing about this property is that they own at least 30 miles of the river so we would have it all to ourselves for the next two days of fantastic fly fishing.

This February I found myself packing in a haste to load my bags with clothes, fly fishing equipment and camera gear for a three week trip to Patagonia. This would be my second trip in the past two years to this region, but I still felt unprepared. Work and other commitments, such as coaching the high school wrestling team, had made my days and nights filled. I made a serious commitment to bring all my camera gear and take as many pictures as possible. I stayed up late one night and did as many Americans do: placed a sizable order from Amazon Prime. I ordered everything I thought I might possibly need, learning from my past trip to Argentina. Too much really, I now realize as I write this, but I wanted to be prepared and had little experience for the region at this time frame.

In the winter we spend less time outside on the water and more time at the vise re-filling the boxes or researching on the internet. I have compiled a list of websites where I get information from, keep up with the industry news and learn new and innovative patterns to tie and try.

Managing your line is one of the most important things you can do to land more trophy trout. Read on for more information.

Some years when we have low water and unseasonable hot weather the state will put into effect the most common restriction called a “Hoot Owl” restriction. It allows the rivers to be closed to fishing from 2pm-midnight.