In Search of (Liquid) Water

by Phillip Dobson
(Butte, MT)

Happy winter everyone! This is definitely my favorite time of year despite the fishing difficulties.

I attempted a little fishing the other day before the Solstice. The temperature had come up more than sixty degrees in three days, so I was hopeful when I headed over to the Big Hole.

I can honestly say that I didn't expect THAT much ice. Most of the river was frozen completely across. The areas that weren't solid featured dangerous ice shelves over deep water. I did find an accessible area that I fished for an hour or so. It was beautifully peaceful out on the river. The water was clear and shallow, and I unfortunately didn't see any fish.

Notch Bottom seemed like the most promising access area as it tends to be a little warmer. Drifted snow ended those plans, however. After half an hour of digging the truck out, I called it quits.

Time to play the waiting game until conditions improve. In the meantime, I'm going to play in the mountains.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.