Intense Bursts of Uncle Whitie

The Kingfisher Flyshop’s Five-River Fishing Report

By The Kingfisher Fly Shop, 11-21-05

Bitterroot

11/21/2005

REPORTS: Good news. If you've been patiently waiting for the first of the skwalas to begin hatching again on the 'root, we're happy to inform you that for the last week, every day about 2, we've been down at the Palace shooting pool because EVERYBODY knows skwalas won't start for another 3 months at least! Geeze! What'rya NEW!? If you'd rather test your manual dexterity in nearly freezing temperatures rather than indulge your indoor vices, though, you'll be happy to know that the tandem nymph rigs have been working to about a C- degree. Small stuff like red and green copper Bobs and the tried and true worm and egg combo. On the other hand, the heads of shallow riffles have been giving up good numbers of uncle whitie early in the day. It's a great time to be out filling up your smoker!

Blackfoot

11/21/2005

REPORTS: It's that time of year again where you have to have some VERY specific happy runs to do well on this river. The fish are way congregated right now and virtually unwilling to move for your junk. You've got to be able to show it to 'em over and over again right on their nose. Much like the other rivers, there are big groups of spawning whitefish that can provide some entertainment and a full smoker in a hurry once you find the stacked runs. Most of the yearly orca migration from Olympic Penninsula, up the columbia, into the Blackfoot and into the great lakes has been over with now for about a month. Fears of being attacked and killed by these water going rodents should be quelled at this point unlike early fall when the odds of being totally consumed are actually pretty good. If you do go up here, fish midges.


Clark Fork

11/21/2005

REPORTS: Intense bursts of uncle whitie with widely scattered rainbows. All in all, though, you'll be better off on either Rock Creek or the 'root. There's almost zero topwater action to speak of right now and the nymphing has been less than enchanting. On the plus side, it's been so foggy on the river lately, that it's unlikely that anybody around you will see that you're secretly loading your midges with maggots. Uh huh, we know who you are and we saw what you did! Do you have any extras?

Missouri

11/21/2005

REPORTS: Mostly sunny with very little wind. The Mo is in full winter mode right now which means small nymphs right on the bottom. There continues to be the standard late afternoon hour and a half of decent dryfly activity, especially on sunny days, but the best fishing will be subsurface. Standard scud and midge patterns in smaller sizes will get the job done for you under an indicator, but be ready for VERY subtle takes at times.


Rock Creek

11/21/2005

REPORTS: Other than the fact that you're liable to be hit in the head all day by pieces of cold fog, it shouldn't be too bad. The whities, in particular, have been willing to get in line to roll around in a plate of spicy brown mustard and watch you drink beer. That's a good thing. Since we've been up here targeting the whities, it's kind of disheartening when you have to dip your hands in the water to unhook a trout. All depends on the goal at hand I guess! Medium to small sized flashbacks have been working wonders on the whities with a few trout scattered in here and there. The worm has been the best by far for being trout specific. Rock Creek will continue to be good until the road makes access an issue. The Simms hooded sweatshirts in zip and pull over are finally in stock for those of you who've been asking. These are WAY nice!

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