Threadfin

I'm wrapping up a piece about Roosevelt Lake's bass fishery for an upcoming issue of Southwest Fly Fishing. While going through photos to submit, I came upon this personal favorite. The photo captures a passing school of threadfin shad - the primary prey base of the lake's bass - in shallow water. Here's a little excerpt from the article:

Flanked by shadows of ill intent, wave after wave of sinuous, silver ribbons moved through the shallows. It was only a matter of time before the seemingly harmonious scene would erupt in a violent clash involving thousands of threadfin shad attempting to flee the gaping mouths of voracious bass. And then it happened. Perhaps one-hundred feet ahead, out of casting range, the glassy surface of the lake exploded near the shoreline. A few paddle strokes had the canoe positioned within a long double-haul of the melee, allowing an imposter to enter the fray. A couple of quick strips later the fly was engulfed by a hard-charging, two-pound largemouth bass.

PS: Salmonflies are out on the Gallatin River (good numbers at Greek Creek yesterday) and the upper Madison River today (Burnt Tree). The madness begins.