West '05 Trip - Day 16

Posted: 2006-04-05
By: Randy Cochran

Errands, errands and more errands, mostly pertaining to finding food, foot creme and Korkers inserts. I FINALLY found the inserts at Bob Jacklin's W. Yellowstone shop. Every other shop was pushing some other something or others, so needless to say I was quite happy when I eventually did happen upon the much needed replacement soles.

Before I forget, I must mention that West Yellowstone, Montana is like Disneyland for the fly fisher. Fly shops almost outnumber full-time residents, it seems. If you're into that sort of thing, take a walk and a couple hours to explore them all. Heck, the other shops and places are pretty cool to check out too, though they don't sell fly gear.

I managed to fit some fishing in amongst the shopping and crap, thankfully.

A nice, big eddy and run right by my chosen camp for the night provided a couple quick fish, one on top (Adams) and one below (BH nymph of indeterminate make/model.) Both came on my friend Matt Jenning's 3wt Diamondglass, a thing of beauty and a joy forever.

After action died down, I used the off time to complete a desperately needed line change on my 5wt. The line - a Mastery GPX - was scarcely a year old, but was already cracked and crumbling in spots, doubtless to my careless manner of maintenance and long hours on the water. In certain lengths of the belly it was all but a remainder of dirtwater-stained core, and nothing more. Makes you feel kinda silly when you see something like that.

Soon after that I was over my self-embarrassment and over to the same run/eddy as before, but all I could manage was a big whitey on an indy rig.

All in all, a slow day of fishing, but productive otherwise and relaxing nonetheless.