Everything is packed and finally it is time to go. I now live in Las Vegas, NV and drove up to Salt Lake City to make our way to the Madison River, Quake Lake and Yellowstone National Park. I have spent the last 2 months filling my boxes with flies I know always work in these areas. Dad, Tim and I leave Salt Lake City around 6:00 a.m. on July 16th, 2005. We have a 6 hour drive ahead of us and once we hit Idaho Falls it is an amazing drive to Cameron, MT. First stop Beartooth Flyshop for what's working and get the fishing licenses for the season (a little late in the season if you ask me!!!). We had great help at the store, set up our shuttle, picked a few flies that were recommended and off to set up camp.

Sunday afternoon we dropped in at Lyons Bridge and our pick up point was Palisades. I started with a size 14 X-Wing Caddis and had a 14 Red Lightning Bug as the dropper. Quickly picking up my first fish on RLB, I thought we are in for a great trip. But as usual that was just a lucky catch and the next fish wouldn't come until I switched to a Caddis Pupa that ended up working the best for me (thanks Allie!), which landed this 23" Brown Trout (to the right). I had decided to switch after seeing the amount of Genus Chimarra (photo Below) The Little Black Sedge Caddis. After that the fish started hitting like crazy, for me anyways!!!

I would have to say I did witness the best dive in to the Madison River then I have ever seen on any other river in my entire life. We all encountered the falling in the river this trip, but Dad proved that he would never lose his rod on this river!!! Although he states that it was similar to the Tea Cup ride at an amusement park, I know if we were to do it again he would get his line wet once again. If he decides not too we win either way, those shuttles don't come cheap!!! Most of the fish were taken under the surface by Jaren's PMD Emerger, Caddis Pupa, Lighting Bug, PMD Beadhead or on top with an X-Wing Caddis, Tan Iris Caddis and Jaren's PMD Emerger.