Fly Fishing: Fly Friday...

Pat's Stone, or as we know it in this neck of woods, Pat's Rubberlegs, or just plain Rubberlegs, or perhaps more to the point, the "turd" in the ever popular and productive rig, "the turd and the worm" is indeed one of those "simple ties for simple folks." Best thing is the damn thing catches trout almost anytime, almost anywhere.

So far as I know the "turd" is the handiwork of one Pat Bennett, a guide of some notoriety who works out of Hyde in Idaho, primarily on the Henry's and South Fork of the Snake...At least that's what I hear...

Anyway, as flies go the "turd" is a really simple concoction...lead wire base, chenille body and of course the rubber tails, antennae and legs but...DO NOT SUB rubber for the real deal Flexi Floss or you will I promise be sorry...Yes, the Flexi really does make a difference...Who knows, ask the trout...In other words another of those imponderables just is...

I fish 'em in sizes 4-10 with size 8 probably the most effective day in day out in tandem usually with a San Juan Worm but sometimes some other nymph beneath a bobber. On freestone rivers such as the Big Hole it is a rare day I don't give the "turd and worm" at least a chance to strut its stuff...I can't tell you how many days the pair has saved my butt...And from what I hear most other local guides would second that idea in a heartbeat.

On another track there has been yet another grizz/hunter run-in this one on the Rocky Mountain Front...
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20111111/NEWS01/111110327 

Bears, Bears and....

...more bears! Black bears, grizzly bears, bears in the news almost every day...Run-ins with hunter, run-ins with poachers, run-ins with idiots, run-ins in town, run-ins in wilderness, run-ins everywhere...Pray tell just what the hell is goin' on....To get an idea check out the links below   (click photos to enlarge)

Two Cited for Bloody Bear Bowhunt in a Montana Town....    http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/crime/article_2e1da2e4-09a0-11e1-9b52-001cc4c002e0.html

 Black Bear on Campus Prompts Lockdown....   http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-11-02/features/os-bear-scare-high-school-20111031_1_lockdown-ocala-national-forest-tree

 Montana: Nine Grizzlies Trapped and Transferred in Two Weeks                      http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_7d070610-01db-11e1-9e25-001cc4c002e0.html

Grand Teton Elk Hunter Injured By Bear
http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/bear-injures-hunter-in-grand-teton-park/article_e31495e6-03c8-11e1-bd9b-001cc4c03286.html

Grizzly Activity Closes Another Montana Trail
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_24fb464b-7afc-5e52-8e7d-b3d388b394ef.html

 Bear Attack Leaves Hunter with 40 Stitches
http://www.twincities.com/ci_19211117?source=most_viewed

Montana Elk Hunter Injured in Grizzly Attack
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_4c9067d8-fdc6-11e0-86e3-001cc4c03286.html

Grizzly Takes a Swipe at a Wyoming Hunter
http://www.powelltribune.com/news/item/8883-hunter-attacked-by-grizzly

 And believe it or not those are just headlines dating back to October 18!....Do you suppose the bears got together over summer and decided something like "OK sharpen your claws tis high time we get even"...over and out...

Snow Goose and Tundra Swan Migration...

...is apparently in full swing judging how just about every puddle we passed yesterday was brimming with both species; and it seemed all afternoon you could hear their cries as flock after flock passed high overhead. Swans setting down on local lakes and ponds this time of year is an annual event. But most years, for whatever reasons, snow geese pass us by; rarely do we see many on the water. No doubt the visit will be short one so...                           (as always click photos to enlarge)

Note the two swans in the right hand corner wondering it appears like c'mon you  guys what's all the fuss is about?

Tundra swans: pens, cobs, cygnets...

...OK quiz time. Pen is the ???? Cob the ???? And cygnet ???? Hint: there are two cygnets in the above photo...Answer: the off color pair at the front of the group. You know that right, just like you know Pens are females and Cobs are males...Those of you who aced this short quiz take a bow...Those who failed, well what can I say...