2008 Wall of Fame!

On behalf of the Blue Damsel staff, Happy Holidays! We hope all of you are finding ways to pass the time during these slow fishing months. If you need some help, we recommend tying flies, cleaning lines, or watching fishing videos on Youtube (search "Blue Damsel Lodge!"). If you are already doing all this and still can't shake the itch to wet a line, maybe some good ol' fish pics are what you need. So here it is: the 2008 Blue Damsel Wall of Fame. 

Thank you all for another incredible season. You make us thankful to be in this business, and we look forward to making more memories with all of you.

Click on this link to view: www.bluedamselwalloffame.shutterfly.com

 

Is it winter?

Things are winding down at the Blue Damsel. There is an inch of snow on the ground, and it's still falling. Night time temperatures are in the mid-twenties and even in the sun, the wind keeps our days in the mid-forties. We are within four days of closing time, and with the wintry weather, it is probably a good thing. Fishing is tough, the fish have slowed down to their winter slumber, and fishermen have been opting for shorter days of angling and longer evenings around the fire with a glass of scotch and some of Josh's famous appetizers. And you could do worse--the lodge is a cozy place in weather like that, and we are happy to share it with the few remaining guests this season.

The End Approaches

The leaves are changing and every hard, cool breeze sends a whirlwind of them from their limbs. Mahoganies and BWO's are hatching daily, bull moose and big bucks are moving through the meadows, and Lolo peak has a fresh cap of snow. It is fall in Montana and close to the end of the season--but it's not over yet. With just 2 1/2 weeks left in the season, the Blue Damsel staff is looking forward to a few more weeks of new friends, new fish stories, and, as always, good food. 

Like the late September days, the lodge updates are becoming shorter. Things are cruising to a smooth and happy finish. The fishing is solid, the weather is beautiful, and we are constantly surrounded by friends. It is easier to write about bad news. We don't have any.

Dry Fly Dreams

The last week has been good to Blue Damsel anglers. Yesterday, a raucous group of Texas boys spread out on stretches of the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and Blackfoot. They returned with goofy grins and stories of fish between 16" and 20" (and one 24", although the fish was "dropped" before a picture was taken). 

With hecubas, blue-winged olives, and mahoganies on the water, the fishing scenario has changed from our usual summer pattern. Although prospecting for fish with a hopper-dropper is effective, most folks are finding success by fishing two dries--a big hopper in front of a smaller mayfly or mayfly attractor pattern. Catching a trout is catching a trout; always great. But seeing a big trout-nose break the surface film to seep down a dry fly is what we all dream about. Sweet dreams!

Fall is Here

With shorter days, cooler nights, and the occasional rain, Fall has arrived on Rock Creek. And with it comes dry flies, streamers, and lots of active trout. 

Mahoganies, blue-winged olives, and hecubas are out in big numbers on all our rivers. With mayflies on the water, we see lots of trout noses poking through the surface film, mouths open. The fishing can be technical, but it's some of the most satisfying angling we have all year--when the cast, the drift, and the hook set must be in perfect rhythm to stick that lunker. 

The leaves have just started to blaze yellows and oranges and reds. Nearly every night there is a fire crackling in the fire place, surrounded by happy anglers telling stories of fall fishing in Montana.

Homage to the Chef

There are no guarantees in fishing. Angling is a fickle game. We can always say, "the fishing was good, the catching not so," but sometimes it is difficult to truly feel that way. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, sometimes trout just don't bite. In Montana, perhaps, it happens less than other places, but it still happens every once in a while. 

But for the off day on the river, we have a back-up plan at the Blue Damsel. One thing that can make up for a slow day on the river is a top-notch cocktail and a hot meal. And around the dinner table, we are always on. Unlike anglers, Chef Josh doesn't have off days. Whether he's working on slow smoked rib-eye, roasted corn chowder, pesto orzo, or maybe a fresh huckleberry tart, he seems to always be on his game. So for the day when the fish just won't cooperate or when your hook set is never on time, we say thank you, Chef Josh, for providing the bite everyday. Guaranteed. 

Fall is Coming

With two days of solid rain, most of us feel good about declaring us over the mid-summer heat hump. Sustained high-pressure systems brought lots of sun and high temps over the last week and a half, but it is safe to say the last several days have put the final nail in the coffin of potentially hard trout fishing conditions. 

As I write this blog, rain is clanking off the tin roof of the lodge and our rain barrels are slowly filling up. The meadow is looking greener than it has in months and the low-pressure has gotten trout looking up for dry flies. Yesterday, guests fished the Clark Fork just above Alberton Gorge, west of Missoula. They brought about 20 trout to the net with lots of fish in the 15-18" class, and reported lots of silver heads gobbling hoppers and may fly attractors. We are still a far way from fall, but today it sure doesn't feel that way.

As the staff gears up for the Blue Damsel's busiest September ever, the prospect for trout fishing could not be better. Dates in the first half of October are still available, and we are eager to fill those slots. We have not had the opportunity to share fishing conditions like this in years. We think every angler should have the chance to experience Montana trout fishing during a cool, wet fall. So if you have some time in October, give us a call.

As always, tight lines!

Milltown Dam Update

On March 28th of this year, the Milltown Dam was breached, allowing the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers to flow freely for the first time in over a hundred years. Though a definite plus for the long-term health of the drainage, the removal of the dam brought immediate concerns for Missoula anglers: toxins in the dam tailings, heavy sediment, and a surge of stagnated water might have a dire effect on trout and insect life for several years. Many fishermen felt the lower Clark Fork would not be much of an angling option for at least the 2008 season. I was one of them.

I was wrong.

No river in the area has been fishing as consistently and as well as the Clark Fork. Blue Damsel guests have been returning from the river with sore arms and smiles plastered on their faces. It seems our huge run-off this year washed dam tailings past our trout before much harm could be done. The run-off that had us pulling our hair out the last week of June is making us giddy with bent rods and 18 inchers now. 

Here is some evidence:

Greetings from Rock Creek! The fishing, eating, and relaxing continue to be stellar up at the Blue Damsel. The Blackfoot and Clark Fork have been treating anglers to great hopper and golden stone fishing, while Josh has been cooking up some memorable meals in the kitchen. Not much else to report (sometimes it's a good thing). 

And check out this ragtag bunch! The staff at the Blue Damsel showing off their collection of mustaches.

More Pics!

George and Fritz, a father-son fishing duo from Maine, sent us these great shots from their fishing trip earlier this summer. Lookin' good, fellas!

Feelin' Good!

Today it: overcast, drizzling, and 67 degrees. Sounds like dry fly weather! The fishing has been nothing short of great the past week. Hopper-dropper rigs have been the ticket with fish willingly chewing on both ends of the set-up. It is hard to predict where the guides will want to fish the next day as all of our rivers look great. 

And the fishing forecast is not the only thing looking great. Tonight, there will be a tasting from one of Missoula's local breweries, and the Texas contingent of our staff --Keith and Sam--are BBQing brisket and ribs on Thursday. All this, coupled with the return of our resident bull Moose, Marty, have got us feeling pretty good! 

 

Life is good up at mile marker 10 on Rock Creek Road. A week of days in the mid-80's and nighttime temperatures in the mid-40's has made for some spectacular dry fly action and a cool and pleasant cocktail hour each night on the porch. We are pleased to report all of the area rivers are cleared, leveled and prime for fishing. We cannot remember the last time the late July forecast for trout fishing looked so good. 

Just yesterday, our buddy, Al (a current Blue Damsel guest) was fishing the upper Bitterroot. He is new to the sport and had never cast a fly rod in Montana. His first fish, caught within sight of the boat ramp, was a 19-inch wild and native cutthroat trout. And did I mention it was his birthday?! Happy Birthday, Al--way to go!

In other news, there has been some solid eating going on up at the lodge. Last night, chef Josh cooked up a roasted corn chowder starter followed by a oak-smoked rib-eye with mashed yams and sauteed cauliflower. We aren't gettin' any skinnier up here!

PS : Check out this picture of our friend, Brad, and guide, Pete, with a beautiful Montana Brown!

Check out this video our pal, Bill, made during his stay at the lodge. Thanks for the cinematic love, Bill!

Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Aprz0BEI5j8

A year ago to the day, the trout fishing in western Montana went up in flames. Literally. By the second of July, we had already had two days over 100 degrees and lightning storms and high winds were starting and spreading wild fires in all directions. The Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Rock Creek were exceeding 73 degrees on a daily basis, and Fish Wildlife and Parks closed the waterways to angling after 2:00 pm. It was hot. It was smoky. And it was far from over. 

Today, in 2008, the hottest day in the 10-day forecast is 88 degrees. The Bitterroot Mountains still have snow and the lower Clark Fork is just starting to look like a river we might fish this season. There is no telling what will happen over the course of the next month. It might be 100 for a week at the end of July and then this wonderful, cool, wet early summer was all for nothing. Fires are bound to start. It will warm up. But as of right now, the fishing situation for late July and August could not look any better. Literally. 

Around here, the dinner table is where we get our fishing reports. Guests usually get off the river around 6, and by 7:15 they are cleaned up and ready for grub. The conversation inevitably turns to the trout that were, and in some cases were not, caught that day. 

Last night, over hungarian mushroom soup and grilled pork tenderloin, the fishing reports came in. Five guided boats fished various stretches of the Blackfoot with similar results. "Maybe 10 minutes," one guest said, "longest time between hook-ups all day." Although mostly on deep, double nymph rigs, the fishing the length of the Blackfoot has been superb. Lots of fish are looking for big stonefly nymphs and bright red San Juan worms. And with more and more fish looking at the top end of a hopper-dropper, we expect the dry fly fishing is about to hit the fan.

Today, there are several boats on the Bitterroot. Tonight, it's cornish game hen for dinner. I'm forecasting another good report.

Will and guide Greg with a honker Blackfoot Brown. Way to go, Will!

The Root

The East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River come together 90 miles south of Missoula. From there, the main stem flows north through fertile, green pastures and stands of huge, mythic cottonwoods. To the west, the snowcapped granite peaks follow the stream's progress to its juncture with the Clark Fork near Missoula. It is a classic freestone trout stream with wild trout dining on prolific summertime hatches of golden stones, PMD's, hoppers, and caddis. A good day on the lower Bitterroot with fat browns sipping #14 dries will make anyone believe that this truly is the last best place.

Yesterday, three Blue Damsel guests fished the upper Root, and we were relieved to hear them report that the Bitterroot is finally shaping up. They reported zealous cutthroats attacking big golden stone patterns all day, and a few larger fish taking pheasant tails and prince nymphs. With the upper stream running clear, it is only a matter of days before the whole river is back to its normal early-July self. 

The water flow graphs have finally made a move for the bottom of the page. All the streams in the area are dropping and clearing, and with loads of big stoneflies, drakes, and PMD's flying around, the fish and the fishing are looking up. 

Yesterday, four guides took eight Blue Damsel guests to fish the upper stretches of the Blackfoot. Three days ago, those same stretches yielded a total of 5 trout in roughly twenty-eight fishing hours. Yesterday, however, marked the beginning of the end of our muddy water season. All guides and guests (so you know it's true!), reported good numbers of eats and some big fish brought to the net. Cutthroats and a few nice rainbow were craving the San Juan worm, and everyone enjoyed a day of bent rods and willing trout.

In other lodge news, yesterday marked the opening day of The Links at Bat-Elk Canyon, the first ever frisbee-golf course at the Blue Damsel Lodge. It is a 9-hole gem, designed with the graceful starkness of St. Andrews and Prestwick. The first ever Guest-Staff match is scheduled for Sunday. Stay tuned for results.  

Run Off Again

It seems we have finally settled into the Montana summer weather pattern on Rock Creek. Lots of sunshine and afternoon temps in the 80's are melting the last of the high elevation snow and causing the rivers to flow high and fast. The Creek is running clear, but at 2,920 cfs, it is still tough to wade and best fished from a boat. The warm weather has, however, gotten a lot of bugs flying around in the afternoons. Salmon flies, green drakes, and even some golden stones are on the move the length of the Creek.

Fishing the big rivers has been tough. The Blackfoot is pushing at 5,570 cfs and is looking pretty turbid. Folks have been floating the lower section of the river, and although slow, have reported some big fish landed on nymph rigs.

The Clark Fork and the Bitterroot are both high and looking a little like Nesquik. It seems most of our guides have been leaning towards fishing the Foot or making the drive up to the Missouri where the nymph and streamer fishing has been superb.

Although the rivers are big, guests are still catching trout and we know it will only get better. As the last of the snow melts, and the flows begin to fall, we expect one of the better summers of trout catching we have had in our 6 years. Tight lines! 

Chocolate covered salmon flies are delicious and nutritious!

Joseph was craving some Rock Creek protein.

Another June on Rock Creek

Sam pointed towards the top of the tallest ponderosa in the meadow below the lodge. "Is that a...?" Everyone got up from the porch table and stood at the rail, eyes on the pine canopy. The sun was quickly sinking below the west ridge, but in the failing light, the last remaining rays caught the beating wings of a giant bug. It was headed in the same direction as the hundreds of other over-sized insects we would later see that night: upstream. 

The salmon flies have descended on the lodge once again. A few days later than usual, but there numbers around the lodge at mile marker 11 are a positive sign, and we have high hopes for the coming days. Today the Creek is flowing at 2,970 cfs and while wading is difficult, we have been catching fish on top in slow, soft water. Hopefully, we will soon start to see water levels drop slightly and give better opportunities for waders and boaters alike. 

In other lodge news, we have been out morel picking twice. We are finding good numbers of mushrooms within a few miles of the lodge, and we predict it will only get better. Fresh picked morels, coupled with Josh's prowess in the kitchen, makes for a satisfying end to a long day of throwing huge dry flies. Life is good. 

 

Is It Summer Yet?

After a week of sopping snow and sunless days, we were relieved to wake up to blue skies and warming temperatures this morning. The spring has been the wettest and coldest in years, and although it bodes well for fishing in July and August, we are ready for summer. And this morning, it seems it is finally here.

Today the Creek is pushing water at 2,760 cubic feet per second. This is high for the third week of June, but the water is clear and there are reports of solid trout catching the length of the Creek. There have been good signs of Salmon Fly activity--dried exoskeletons line banks in stretches of the lower river--but we are still waiting for that sunny, June afternoon when the huge, orange bellied aliens hang from every branch and flutter high over the river like stoned humming birds. Today just might be that day.

As of last night, the Blue Damsel is back in business for the summer season. And with the prospect of wild cutthroats eating #4 dry flies, we could not be more excited.