News from Blue Ribbon Flies

April 27th, 2023

Welcome to the Blue Ribbon Flies Newsletter!

Thanks for taking the time to read our weekly newsletter, and as always if you have questions or comments don't hesitate to give us a shout at 406-646-7642! Our current hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday-Friday.

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What's Happening in Yellowstone Country

Great shot of the Northern Lights!

Photo by Patrick Daigle

Intro by Josh Almond

Hey everyone, Josh here. Brandy and I made it back from the Florida Keys just in time to catch some snow to start this week. Thankfully we got a good dose of sunshine and grouper sandwiches last week! Fishing was excellent with good numbers of tarpon around and bonefish as well! The big success of the trip was that neither of us got sunburned after this long Montana winter. I am looking forward to getting back out on the local rivers here as our weekend weather looks great!

From talking with everyone around the shop it sounds like fishing has been good on area rivers. Good reports of fish eating midge dries like #18 Griffiths Gnats and Skittering Zelon Midges. Baetis action has been a little spotty but is continuing to ramp up. #18 Juju Baetis and #16 Montana Bullets are good flies for subsurface work and #18 Baetis Sparkle Duns or #18 Upright Baetis for fish that are looking up. #10 Black Rubberlegs, Eggs, San Juan Worms and #18 Crystal Dips are all great options for attractor work underneath an indicator as well.

The shop is starting to fill in a bit with new products for the summer. Over the next month a bulk of our 2023 inventory will be showing up and we are excited to share some cool new product lines with you all. From wading gear to flies and materials, we'll have a little something new for everyone!

As always give us a call at the shop, swing in or shoot us an email if you have any questions!

Everyone having fun on a Spring Road Trip!

Fly of the Week

Spanish Bullet

This slender little quill jig will get down fast and stay in the strike zone.

Micro Mayfly

Another great pattern from Mike Mercer. Baetis nymphs are an important part of a trout's diet for most of the year here in Yellowstone country, and these little olive Micro Mayflies are the perfect imitation.

Materials of the Week

Speckled Chenille

Speckled Chenille adds a little sparkle to standard variegated chenille. If you'd like to add a little extra something to flies like Rubberlegs or streamers, Speckled Chenille is a great choice.

Razor Foam

Our pro tyers use razor foam when tying BRF’s world famous mayfly, caddis and midge patterns. Very durable, floats like a cork and is easy to use.

Products of the Week

Fly Fishing Maps

Double-sided fishing map of either the Firehole and Madison Rivers or Slough Creek, Lamar River & Soda Butte Creek in Yellowstone Park. Designed and written by our own John Juracek and Tim Anderson, we think these maps will prove more valuable than any other for anglers looking to improve their fishing odds on these two great areas. In addition to the detailed maps, there are also notes about how, where and when to fish each river, hatch charts, and color photographs highlighting representative sections of each stream. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or an experienced hand, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits of the unique perspective and unsurpassed local knowledge passed along in these maps.

Simms BRF Taco Bag

The Taco Bag from Simms is a very simple but very handy piece of gear. It's meant to carry your wet, dirty waders to and from the river to keep from getting your vehicle dirty, and it will hold two adult pairs of waders and boots sopping wet. It also folds open into a large circular changing mat, so you can get into your waders without worrying about stepping on rocks and damaging your wader booties.

Hareline Hook and Bead Pad

Perfect for keeping your tying area neat and tidy, the Hareline Silicone Bead Pad features a textured semi-soft surface that's great for keeping your hooks and beads from rolling or sliding away.

Bonefish release!

Photo by Brandy Almond.

Until Next Week!

The Gang at Blue Ribbon Flies

Blue Ribbon Flies

(406) 646-7642

www.blueribbonflies.com