Ashton

I've been coming here more this year. March, mid-May, and now kicking off early June.  It's less than 6 hours from home, just far enough to be a "trip," but not quite the long haul to Montana. Plenty of fish.  But, I can't say it's been stellar. I scratch out some fish most days, but it's one thing or another dashing my hopes to repeat some of the great days I had exactly a year ago.  Yeah, yeah, that's why they call it fishing, and all those other malarkey cliches.

Lots and lots of wind in the current continental pattern we're having this spring and early summer.  The strong pressure gradient persists.  I move to the Missouri after four days for some guaranteed fun and to get my game on for the ranch opener next week.  I get called home for an emergency before I ever get waders on. 

So I see the salmon flies, but not much for fish on them over Memorial Day.  This trip starts with some evening caddis fishing, but the days are pretty weak for bugs, and no sign of any drakes.  One day is fishable, the next is blowing 30 to 40.  I fight through for the morning or evening windows, but the struggle is real.  

My favorite place to sit and wait.

Not a bad backdrop.