McTucker Ponds Pictures

Here are some pictures from our day fishing at McTucker Ponds:

Thomas and a monster bluegill

Thomas' First Cast

Sara and smallmouth bass

Maren proudly displaying yet another bluegill

Maren and another monster bluegill

McTucker Ponds

On Saturday I took my two children (5 and 2) to McTucker Ponds out by Springfield Idaho. At the first pond I caught a couple of fish - two bluegill - one was a whopping 4" and the other 6" inches. We then switched ponds and my 5 year old daughter was the star of the day. With her barbie fishing pole, a clear bubble, and a bead head prince nymph she started catching fish like crazy. She caught 20+ fish which was fun to see. They were all small bluegill (4-6") but it was a great time. Pretty much every cast she was reeling in another fish.

The hot flies for these "monster" gills were black bead head woolly worms and bead head prince nymphs.

McTucker Ponds is a great place for little children to fish especially if you actually want to catch fish. They may not be huge but it will be fun.

Blackfoot River - August 6, 2009

The fishing was a little slow on the Blackfoot mostly because the wind was ripping and it was difficult to set the hook when the wind was dragging your fly line across the water. We still caught caught a few fish but only netted one 19" cutthroat. I had about 10 18+ inch trout on momentarily but ended up losing most of them. Keeping my fly line with enough tension to set the hook properly was difficult with the wind. Still a great day of fishing!

Blackfoot River - Fox Hills Ranch

Here are two maps for the Fox Hills Ranch, opened for fishing access by Monsanto. For more info visit the Idaho Fish and Game website, Access Yes program at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/accessyes.aspx?id=837

Blackfoot River access - Monsanto Opens Fox Hills Ranch to Public Fishing

I emailed Monsanto regarding the Blackfoot River access at what is called the Fox Hills Ranch. Here is the information that I was provided by Bob Pierce:

Monsanto Opens Fox Hills Ranch to Public Fishing
Once Closed Eight Mile Section of Upper Blackfoot Now Open to Anglers

Soda Springs, ID (August 5, 2009) - The public may now fish over eight
miles of the upper Blackfoot River that has been closed for nearly a
decade. The opening was announced by Monsanto Company in Soda Springs.
The company recently purchased the Fox Hills Ranch, a 2200-acre property
bounding the Blackfoot River both to the north and south as it leaves
the highlands and empties toward the Blackfoot Reservoir.

"Keeping this property from subdivision and high-end real estate
development was our primary reason in purchasing it," noted Dave
Farnsworth, Minerals Lead for Monsanto. "But we're pleased to be able
to increase the public's access for recreational fishing opportunities."
Access to the Blackfoot River through Monsanto's Fox Hills Ranch is
limited to foot traffic and drift boats, but those boating or floating
should be cautious about cross-stream fences.

Farnsworth credited the Idaho Fish and Game Department for a
program that makes this opening possible. "Fish and Game's 'Access
Yes!' program provides a much needed framework for granting the public
access to private property. We are very grateful to them for approving
our application so as to make fishing opportunities available this
season."

Access Yes! is an Idaho Fish and Game program designed to
improve sportsmen's access to private land. Cooperating land owners can
be compensated under the program, although Monsanto has declined to
receive any money. "The fact that Fish and Game will provide oversight
and enforcement of their own rules through this stretch of the river is
payment enough," said Farnsworth.

He concluded, "We merely ask the public to respect the
property so that other anglers can enjoy it as well."


Road directions from Soda Springs:

Travel north out of the City of Soda Springs, Idaho, on US Highway 34
going toward Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for 7.8 miles to the intersection
with the "Blackfoot River Road." Turn right onto the Blackfoot River
Road. The first bridge will cross the Blackfoot River. Continue
traveling 2 miles. The ranch property on the right will be the Fox
Hills Ranch, with the Blackfoot River running through it and clearly
visible from the road.

Thank you to Bob Peirce (bob.peirce@monsanto.com) for this information and to Monsanto to allowing access to this property. Remember to respect the property, don't leave trash, and enjoy the fishing.

Beadhead Hare's Ear

This is the pattern that was killer on the Blackfoot River earlier this year. All the 14"+ fish were taking this fly like crazy. They were hitting the fly at the end of the run when the fly hit the end of the fly line and there was tension on the line - essentially when the fly was floating in the whole for a few seconds. Here's the detailed info:

HOOK: 5262 or 3761, sizes 8-18 (Size 14-16 was tops on the Blackfoot)
THREAD: Brown or black
TAIL: Hares mask guard hairs or fibers clipped from a squirrel or rabbit Zonker Strip
RIB: Gold mylar tinsel or copper wire
ABDOMEN: Blended hares ear; keep it thin
WINGCASE: Turkey tail coated with Flexament
THORAX: Same as abdomen. After tying, pick out a few hairs so they look like legs

Variations:

The Hares Ear can be tied weighted or unweighted. Dark brown is the most productive body color; dark olive and tan can also work well, but be sure to compare the color of wet dubbing to the natural (and wet) insect.

Monsanto Opens Section of Blackfoot River

Here is a little news tidbit for the Blackfoot River:

Monsanto opens Blackfoot River in Idaho to anglers

by The Associated Press

Tuesday July 21, 2009, 7:30 AM

SODA SPRINGS, Idaho -- Eight miles of the upper Blackfoot River will be opened to anglers after nearly a decade.

The Monsanto Co. in Soda Springs recently purchased the Fox Hills Ranch, a 2,200-acre property bounding the river, and announced it would increase public access for fishing. Dave Farnsworth with Monsanto said the company primarily wanted to keep the land from being subdivided. Access will be limited to foot traffic and drift boats.

-- The Associated Press

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/07/monsanto_opens_blackfoot_river.html