[Old Man]

I haven't done one of these in a long time. But no time is the right time. Had to get away from all the females of the house. SO I jumped into my truck and headed for a convenience store for some munchies. Small bags of Potato chips have gone up 20 cents. Bummer as there isn't anymore in the bag.

I headed out to the Beaverhead at Pipe Organ access. The parking lot is almost snow free. A few spots here and there. But there is ice on the edges that goes out about 10' or so. Well I reached in the back of my pick-me-up and got out my 9' Sage DS2 6wt. Found my reel that I got from Allen Fly Fishing. A 5/7 reel. It is loaded with a floating 6wt line. I proceeded to put it all together and rig up two flies. My top fly was a SJW, red in color and a red Copper John as the bottom fly. Of course it took a while to do the two fly thing. My shakes almost got to me but I beat them.

I then walked down to the edge of the ice and tried my first cast in 5 months. Well the ice kept grabbing my leader, had a hell of a time with the first casts. I finally got some line out. Had a few bumps, but not to sure if they were fish or the bottom. I gave up as the ice shelf I was standing on was doing a little cracking. I'll go back there in a few days and maybe most of the ice will be gone.

I took a few pictures of the ice.

 

[tackleman]

Damn nice day to be by the water!!!

 

[Buzzy]

Jim - a completely useful report and much appreciated! When we put in there this past May the Beaverhead was muddy and rising (irrigation demand?). Nice to see clear water!

 

[Lue Taylor]

I haven't done one of these in a long time. But no time is the right time. Had to get away from all the females of the house. SO I jumped into my truck and headed for a convenience store for some munchies. Small bags of Potato chips have gone up 20 cents. Bummer as there isn't anymore in the bag.

I headed out to the Beaverhead at Pipe Organ access. The parking lot is almost snow free. A few spots here and there. But there is ice on the edges that goes out about 10' or so. Well I reached in the back of my pick-me-up and got out my 9' Sage DS2 6wt. Found my reel that I got from Allen Fly Fishing. A 5/7 reel. It is loaded with a floating 6wt line. I proceeded to put it all together and rig up two flies. My top fly was a SJW, red in color and a red Copper John as the bottom fly. Of course it took a while to do the two fly thing. My shakes almost got to me but I beat them.

I then walked down to the edge of the ice and tried my first cast in 5 months. Well the ice kept grabbing my leader, had a hell of a time with the first casts. I finally got some line out. Had a few bumps, but not to sure if they were fish or the bottom. I gave up as the ice shelf I was standing on was doing a little cracking. I'll go back there in a few days and maybe most of the ice will be gone.

I took a few pictures of the ice.

Remember OMJ every time you fish you feel younger you think about the days that casting across ice was just another day of fishing

 

[Gard Nale]

Way to go OMJ!

 

[VanAllen]

Thanks for the photos! Can't wait to get back there to that corner of the world. Spring is just around the corner. Keep it up OMJ!

 

[karnage]

Hella funny......go for big bag of chips better value

 

[Jim Wallace]

Jim, your report is the most worthwhile and inspirational piece of writing that I've read all day. Thanks!

 

[IveofIone]

Sorry about the chips Jim. Remember when Baby Ruth candy bars were a nickel and they were BIG?

 

[Jojo]

A beautiful day from your photos !

 

[jersey]

So great you tied a double rig OMJ!

Great report and thanks for the giddy-up an go attitude

 

[Old Man]

Thanks for the photos! Can't wait to get back there to that corner of the world. Spring is just around the corner. Keep it up OMJ!

The next time your in my neck of the woods, give me a holler. I'm always good for about an hour of fishing.

 

[Cold]

What kind of chips?

 

[FAQ!]

Good stuff. Let's see another report soon.

 

[Jeremy Floyd]

That's a hell of a lot better than anything I got to do that day..

 

[creekx]

Thanks for the photos and a reminder that this winter will end, the days will get longer, and those brownies will come out to play again...

 

[Gary Thompson]

Sweet report, great pics

 

[Old Man]

It's 48 so far today. If it hits 50 out come the shorts. I'm tired of long pants.. My ice driveway is almost all mud now. But it's still winter time here in Montana. It could snow at any time.

 

[Jeremy Floyd]

Got up to 61f here today. I washed the boat, and spray waxed it afterwards.

 

[Old Man]

Well it hit 50 yesterday and today it's 48 so far. But 50 isn't warm enough for shorts. Maybe 60 will have to do.

I went out this morning and put the charger on my ATV. It's been sitting all winter long under the snow. Of course I had it covered. I fired it up and took a shot jaunt around town. When I got home I checked to see if my ears were still attached. I liked to have them fall off it was so cold.