Well ladies and gentlemen it would appear that the day we are all waiting for is upon us and closing fast ............ Christmas !!!!  The craziness in town is at full tilt and this wave is getting ready to break. So for this week, guys and gals. lets take a Christmas break and focus on the people we love and a time of the year that only comes around once a year. Thursday Night Fly Tying will resume on January 2nd in a brand spanking new year.  That's all there is folks . I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a very happy new year ! we will see you all in 2020. 

Well, Last Thursday we got it done. Super fun times tying up some really cool techy dry flies with great folks. Someone even got to tie they're first fly !  So Since we tied some for the surface game I figured this week we should get something going on the subsurface side of things. And so what might you ask is on the docket for this Thursday .......... SOFT HACKLES !  Everyone loves soft hackles and I mean everyone, and if you don't we will make a believer out of you ! Soft hackles are tremendous players on our rivers and can be an absolute dead ringer when things get a little........off. These flies are straight to the point and fun to tie. I think our flagship for this evening is going to be the soft hackle pheasant tail. The pheasant tail nymph needs no intro and in soft hackle form it is deadly. Now the pheasant tail soft hackle is whats on the table for the evening  but if they'res a nasty little variant you'd like to spin up bring it on ! For the pheasant tail soft hackle you will need...

1. You're favorite standard nymph hook  
2. Uni Thread in 6/0 or Veevus 10/0-8/0
3. Small or BR copper wire 
​4.  pheasant tail ( go figure )
5. peacock herl
6. gold or brass bead ( this is optional )

So there it is guys and gals. Soft hackle pheasant tails for this Thursday Doors are ajar @ 6:00 and we will tie until they're done !

Thursday night is just around the corner. We had a lot of fun at our first session and now its time to kick things into gear ! I always think its kind of fun .... and a little heartbreaking to start the early sessions of our Thursday tying flies we probably wont see for another couple months. So in keeping with tradition we've got the Blue Winged Olive on the table for our first featured bug. In particular The Davie Mcphail Sparse CDC Dun. This a sexy little pattern of which I've had some luck with. Very straightforward and easy to fill the fly box. You will need:

1. UNI thread 8/0 in olive or Veevus D25 in 10/0
2. Your favorite Standard/Standard dryfly hook in size 14 to 22
3. CDL, (in grey) or grizzly saddle hacke 
4. Goose biot in olive or light olive 
5. CDC in olive, light olive or grey 
6. Olive micro fine dry fly dubbing 
​

This is a killer pattern to have in your arsenal especially for picky eaters ! Come on down and lets get some tied up. doors open at 6 and we will tie until they're done. Oh yea,   and here is the vid on this sweet fly if you feel like making a couple runs at it. 
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QROe7cmQurY

Its Christmas time and your first photo is the reel case ?????? If you tell me that as soon as you hear the word "Christmas" you don't see a gorgeous machined aluminum masterpiece......... you are lying...... plain and simple. Or maybe your the "sexy new rod" type. Bonefish and Tarpon have been burning a hole in your mind and Christmas is the perfect excuse to pull the trigger on that new 8 or 10 wt.  Either way this is a truly awesome time of the year, and Christmas stroll adds to that awesomeness.

I have to be honest. I look forward to it every year. Great food, Great friends and Great beverages all around. And of course great deals !  20 % off store wide! This year I am proud to announce we've got some tasty treats from Ed McGrew's BBQ as well. And if Thats not enough to get the gears turning, With a purchase of a new Fly Rod You'll also be treated to a free rack of Ribs courtesy of The BBQ master himself. 
  This is an awesome time to come in and find the perfect gift for your favorite "fisher" person. We are stacked high on brand new Cold weather apparel from Simms, Some sweet new vises form Griffin, Regal and Renzetti And killer new rods from Scott, Winston, and Orvis. So please stop on by tomorrow, grab some food, a beverage of your choice and lets kick off the Christmas season right ! Doors open at 6 !

Many, Many people have been asking me about the return of our beloved Thursday night fly tying. And I am proud to announce that it is that time of year ! Thursday Night Fly tying will kick off this Thursday Dec 5  at our normal meet time of 6 PM. All are welcome at our little shindig. First time fly tyers and those who've been doing it forever. Come on down. There will be great company great laughs and many new great ideas floating around for future bugs. On this first session I want to keep things open to the tyer. Come in and tie your favorite pattern for the 2019 season (seeing as how we will be parting ways in the very near future). This first Thursday , anything goes ! Dries, nymphs, streamers bring it on. I've got a few I'd love to share. So night number one is up to you for what you tie. but our future sessions are going to be much more specific with a featured pattern, material recipes etc. Take this one to brain storm with your most productive bugs and if this is your first time at the bench, please ask as many questions as you want. Our regulars are outstanding tyers and great teachers ! So there it is guys and gals. Thursday night, doors open at 6 and we will tie until they're done !

Happy Thanksgiving to all of Lakestreams fishy friends out there.
Way cold and windy here. We are all looking forward to hunkering down with family and friends for the BIG TURKEY DAY.
Come see us at the shop after the festivities on Friday and Saturday.
15% OFF STORe WIDE . FRIDAY AND SAT ONLY !!!!
We have what the anglers on your list yearn for this Holiday season.

See ya this weekend
Cheers
​Big Country

It seems every year I express my odd but nonetheless true love of the cold and the quiet on our beloved rivers. The gentle falling of an afternoon snow, the silent content of being on a stretch of water that has all but been abandoned by those seeking the warmth and sun elsewhere and the patient sometimes nerve wracking  belief of.....fish on the feed while they make their inevitable journey back to deeper waters. Many of you no doubt are thinking about the mountain, Powder and great sessions with great friends. I cannot and will not argue ! But this time of year things....slow down.... for me.

They slow down in thread wraps on spey flies, They slow in the anchor of a cast to a deep pool and the realization of my own solitude on a river that for half the year is all sounds and sunshine........ and is now......quiet. But quiet might not be correct. There is the sound of our river. There is the sound of waders wrapped in the cold glacial blanket of water rushing past. There is the sound of a flock of mergansers hauling ass away from their potential fate. And there is the sound of a 420 grain Skagit head tearing away from the water. And yes there is the sound of....me....and lost fish and ones landed ! 

The title of this post is not an attempt to lull you into some sort of winter slumber... no no. Or to showcase some new flies. But hopefully to inspire all of you to go out and find your own.......cold weather quiet. The summer is gone. But do not despair, it will return ! And for those willing to embrace the chill, this season is just beginning ! Fish are moving ...and eating. You just have to get out there and find them. Many of our cutthroat are beginning to head back to the warmer depths of Flathead Lake. And some are hanging out. But they all must eat. Our weather change and change in water temperature has no doubt got the gears turning in the brains of our fishy friends. And now is a great time to capitalize on this. Nymphing is king when the weather and water gets cold. No matter how you feel about it, drag free drifts into slow deep pools are the ticket. There are opportunities for dry fly eats yes and I commend those that get them ! But for all you lovers of the swing this is my favorite time to get it done. Do not let the Minutia and intricacies of the two handed world deter you from getting in on this if its your first go around. No two-hander NO PROBLEM. A good 6 wt rod with a sink tip and your in business .  I usually run a 3 ft section of 0X -2X flurocarbon leader to my fly.....Done. And flies ? Probably my favorite pattern in the colder months is our beloved polar chenille leech. Easy to tie and super effective. Olive, Brown, Light olive, try a few. 
And most of all ....... slow down. Fish every drift with patience and confidence knowing that when the tug does come ( In my Texas accent that comes out all too often) "It aint gonna be small." 

If you should ever need further assistance in any matters of the "swing" please don't hesitate to stop in and have a cup of coffee with us and chat. We would love to answer any questions and help however we can. And if that new switch or spey set up has been burning a hole in your mind, we can definitely help there as well ! So in closing on this cold night I hope that all of you are reading this someplace warm, With people that you love and your favorite beverage at your side. I hope that your thoughts as you drift off to sleep linger on a tight line swing that erupt in the exaltation of a solid hook set. And I hope that you wake up the next day and make those thoughts come to life !

So whats your first thought when you see a post about about fishing and............... Theres a picture of a fly ......... "This dude ain't caught no fish !" well you are absolutely correct, fine, fine, fine ....No Have not yet sealed the deal but I cant attest to a 10 pound northern swimming around the depths with a very sore mouth that might rethink her choice of forage the next time she's out! Ahhh fishing, and this time of year has to be right up there when my gears start turning. I have told many people that this fall is going to have to be my pike redemption after a pretty tough spring. And as much as the catching hasn't been red hot just yet ....... theres something pretty amazing about seeing some of the largest pike you've seen all year congregated in the same place. Theres the undeniable adrenaline of a follow from one of these beasts and the heartbreaking feeling of line going slack when you do stick one... But  being out there, putting in your time and doing it with great friends on a beautiful fall day.............. Come on. So if you have the toothy addiction... get after it ! There are great fish to be had, But you have to put your time in. These are all post spawn fish and have been for a while. So with love making off the table I supremely believe that water temperature and location is key. One of the best pieces of literature I read on late season pike stressed the importance of LIVING weed beds in the fall, that means green weeds. Pike will congregate around  live patches even if they're small. I have seen this with my own eyes and have caught fish all the same. Pike are also one of the most temperature sensitive fish on the spectrum. This proves true in spring for the spawn and into fall when the feed bag is slowly getting fastened. They know the inevitable freeze is coming just like many species, and that feeding instinct is dictated heavily by water temp. So all this my be old news to you hardened pike guys and gals but for all you out there who have no yet had the pleasure, its a great way to stick a big one the board for 2019. The weather can be absolutely gorgeous some days and perfect for an outing. But if its not......stop on in to the shop ! we have some great cold weather gear to keep you toasty and dry. Stay safe out there !

Lakestream Guides have been having some excellent Fall fishing in the Flathead River System .
​When the SUN is out our WILD NATIVE CUT THROAT TROUT are hammering big attractor dry flies. Best bugs for me on the dry fly side of things has been size 8 black foam, and October Caddis Patterns. 
​When the Mahogany, and small Beatis  May Flies show up fish your favorite parachute patterns. The size 14 Copper Haze has been good.

When the clouds and funky weather are around the dropper pheasant tail, and October caddis pupae , as well as the PINK worm have been day savers.
Some BIG migratory fish in the lower river right now.

Fly shop open daily for all of your Fall angling needs.
We have some great sales on waders, boots ,and a few sale Winston Rods left on the rack. 

Late Fall hours are Monday through Sat 10 to 5.
Happy Late Fall, and good luck to all you rifle hunters. Big game rifle season opens in a week.
TIGHT LINES
Big Country

We survived our September Cold blast.
The media hype was ....well in our area all hype. Our friends east of the Continental Divide got crushed. Up to 4 FT in certain areas. 
The sun is out, and cool clear Fall mornings await you on the Flathead River System.
The Flathead loves the SUN this time of year.
​If you go....dont go early. If you do go early do some nymphing . PINK WORM, AND A SIZE 14 PHEASANT TAIL NYMPH WILL PRODUCE !!!!
When the sun gets high in the Fall sky BIG DRIES will bring some big fish to the surface. I like BLACK this time of year. Dont forget about the October caddis  as well. Saw some size 14 Mahogany Duns out on Friday as well.
Its a great time of year to be on the water. Beautiful Fall colors. Wildlife abounds in the river bottom this time of year. Eagles, Ducks ,Geese , Elk, Deer, and the occasional Black bear have been seen as of late.
Come see us a Lakestream Fly Shop on your way to the River. We can help you find Fall fishing success. We got the BUGS, and gear you need for Fall fishing all over the State.

Some GREAT FALL DEALS in the shop.
Great time of year to wheel and deal with me on the gear you need .  Selct waders and boots up to 30% OFF. Some steals on the Winston B3X as well. Get in here before the goods get picked through.