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3. A Late May Trip to West Yellowstone, MT

See... http://flypatternsfortrout.com/2012/05/28/late-may-at-campfire-lodge-west-yellowstone-mt/

Some great photos there John, what was the best memory of the trip?

I just love the Wall of Hackle!!! Not to mention the Bargain Bin of Whiting Hackle...Did you feel like a kid in a candy store or what?!?! WOW!!

Jonathon

So do you recommend the lodge or not? I couldn't tell ha.

It was very difficult not to buy a bunch of capes. Luckily I already own a bunch, but I did grab a few. :)

The snow actually was sort of a blessing because it slowed the runoff and cleared up the water some. Plus, BWOs started to hatch while the snow was falling and they couldn't move or fly. All in all a fun time. Every fish I caught was at least 15" or longer, which really surprised me.

John,

Did you know that Jim S out there is a buddy of our own Mark Libertone and Mark helped him out with setting up his web page?

I kind of stopped visiting the site due to the hackle. My wife has put a moratorium on any more until I've put a more serious dent in the supply I now have. This came about due to a slip up on my part...During a over-the-top tying session I had left the hope-chest where I store it open and my wife came down to the basement...She told me how beautiful one was and then she saw the price...It was a top-of-the-line Hebert that Rusty Gates had sat aside for me years ago...Then she spotted the rest in the box...I could see her doing the math in her head as I rushed to button everything up...Too late, Buck-O!!!

If you can keep it to yourselves...Mark Softhackle Libertone sent me there last year for some quality hen sets for softhackles...It's not rooster and technically not covered under the "Rooster" ban...Right? :)

Nice photos...I need to get back out there!

Spence

PS I've been invited with a small group of guys in to a warehouse of a fly shop that's gone under...We are the first in...The last time I got a deal like this (1990's sometime) I walked away with a 3wt and a float tube...You are sworn to secrecy!

Spence, I do all the website development for Jim, both http://www.JimsFlyCo.com and http://www.CampfireLodgeWestYellowstone.com/. Mark did the logo for JimsFlyCo and I think he setup the Flymph Forum. Jim also sells Mark's paintings at Campfire Lodge Resort. By the way, Jim's wall of Whiting hackle is amazing! He has about every color of Whiting hackle in stock right now. A lot of Whiting colors I have never seen in hand before.

There is some sort of wingless wet gathering in early June in the Catskills and Jim and I think Mark will both be there. They are both flymph nerds. :)

John,
Great photos and great report. I was not sure Jim was coming to Roscoe, and up to this point, He had not told me he was. Perhaps he plans on surprising me. If he does come, I'll still be overwhelmed and surprised. I can not tell you how much Jim has helped ME over the years. He's a good person. So is my friend, Spence.

Spence-you need to get out and see Jim. He'll take care of you, for sure. Now that you are a man leisure, you can go. ME--after this trip to Roscoe, I'm stuck here for a while taking medicine.

Anyone here, if you are so inclined and able, come join us next weekend in Roscoe. I have heard from John Shaner, friend and rep from Hardy & Greys. He fished the Beaverkill and said the fishing has been excellent. Yesterday he took 6 fish from 15-18 inches. Bugs all over of various kinds.

Hope to meet some of you, soon.

Again, John, great report.

Mark

Mark, I hope you are feeling better. It would be great to get you out West to see Jim and Campfire Lodge and all the great rivers.

Sorry, I probably mis-heard what Jim was saying too me. Tt was really hectic out there that week since that was the week before they opened for the season and he had a million things to do. He even got me to help hang blinds in the cafe and help setup all the new stuff in the fly shop.

I know he is super busy right now at Campfire Lodge.

John

John...:) You'll do anything for hackle, eh!? Even hang curtains.:) It must of been difficult to be around his supply. It is incredible! I used to hide in the hackle corner at Gates' Lodge, especially in the morning when the coffee klatch was in there and the BS was getting deep...

One day soon maybe we all can hang out there together...

Spence

Spence, no I was hanging blinds cuz it was friggin snowing heavy, cold and the river was discolored. The snow flakes were the size of silver dollars and you couldn't see hundred yards. Otherwise, I would have been fishin! :-)

Here in Michigan we always joke that if you don't like the weather just hang around for ten more minutes...It's always changing...But, I think that Montana really takes the cake in this regard...

I'm glad you made yourself useful...;)

Spence