SoSH Fishing Reports - 2016

[Montana Fan]

Well the groundhog didn't see his shadow and we've sprung forward. I can't be the only one that's taken advantage of the mild end of winter as the new fishing season begins.

Lately I've been fishing the Ruby, Big Hole and Jefferson rivers, all close to home, and have been doing pretty well. Most interesting fish I caught was a 16" brown with an 8" rainbow in his gullet. He still ate my woolly bugger. That's one of the nice things about spring, fish are coming around as the water warms up and are aggressively feeding.

Today it's going to be 47 with a real feel of 54 and I'm heading over to the lower Madison with a couple buddies for some float fishing. This isn't me pictured below but I have the exact same boat and that's what we're going out in today.

I noticed that the rivers in Maine opened 2 weeks early this year due to the mild end of winter. Ice is off the lakes early. I was weaned on flyfishing in Western Maine and keep an eye on the goings on as well as make a trip out there at least every other year.

I have an Idaho Steelhead trip planned in mid-April and a Florida trip, Apalachee Bay, planned for the end of April. Hopefully there will be plenty to report and many pictures to post.

Anyone else been fishing, catching or planning? If so, report it here.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

Went to the Bahamas in February for some bonefishing. I'd gone to South Andros 11 years earlier with a friend and our former HS history teacher. This time Abaco. Unfortunately, the teacher got sick last minute and couldn't make the trip - a great disappointment to us as the main goal of these trips is to get him out to these great places. We take care of arrangements, he fishes.

Fished three days. It's a littl early in season, and winds and weather is more likely to pay havoc with condition. We fished 2 to boat with a guide. First day, saw few fish, got shut out. My friends got one. Second day, saw decent amount of fish, and my technique was bad, horrible really, plus combo of orneriness in the fish. Shutout # 2, my friend got one. At the least the food and lodge were very good. Lol.

Third day, my friends retired co worker who was vacationing in the area joined us. I fished alone. 'Twas a different day. First thing I cast to was a rare ly seen permit. No luck, but cool to have chance. A little later, finally hook into a bone but my reel that had been unused in battle the last two days was discovered to have a drag problem, and the thing took off for Grand Bahama. Guide was initially not happy when he discovered it (we were 40 minutes from lodge to get a backup rig) but I had a backup reel that worked to his liking. We were off.

Finally got one to boat a little later , and I'm fishing for my camera...and he lets it go! I laugh a bit and ask if I can get a photo of the next one, as that was my first one to the boat of my stay. He apologized, but no need to. I was thinking more my buddy would never believe I caught one. Anyway...went on to have one of the best fishing days of my life. 11 hooked, 9 to boat. Not huge ones, 3-5 lb.range, but it's such a thrill to catch one.

I'll upload some photos as soon as I can - haven't done so in awhile, have to re figure it out. Lol.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

I live on a ranch on the Madison River near Three Forks from June-October. Hope the fishing is good.

 

[Montana Fan]

Beerabelli, that's a great ending to what sounds like it was a fun trip. Sorry to hear your fishing buddy couldn't make it. One of the guys I was fishing with yesterday was lauding catching Permit. Hopefully you'll get one next time.

I only got one brownie yesterday and was pleased with that. RR, the lake turned over last week and the river was off color and cold on a sunny day. Not great fishing conditions but was nice to be out and at least I didn't get skunked.