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 Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
Posted by keith on July 26, 2006
As we drove north the hills speed by in a blur. Soon we were deep within a canyon surrounded by towering cliffs. I fired questions at my buddy until he finally said, "Just wait a second, she's right around the corner." There it was, one of Montana's famous waters, a lush ribbon of blue snaking through an otherwise arid landscape. I had heard of this river while living in Montana, but never fished it. When I got an invitation to a friends wedding near its banks, I knew this was my chance. Although a few trophies in the 10lb range are landed each year, the river is known for its population of surface minded browns and rainbows which average 16"-18". I called him and asked if we were going to hit the river. He said, "definitely..but bring your A-Game." I didn't really know what to make of that comment until I saw the river. We pulled off the road, hopped a fence and crossed a field down to the river. We sat crouched behind some willows and scanned the surface. The river has been likened to the countries biggest spring creek. It is wide, the water is flat, and aquatic vegetation clings to almost every inch of bottom. Not only is the river chock full of trout, it is loaded with bugs. Luckily for me, I was there during prime hatches. In the mornings the air was filled with tricos, in the evenings the caddis were so thick that you were spitting them out of your mouth, and PMDs rounded out the afternoons. So we slayed them right?....Not even close! Hot sunny days, moderate fishing pressure, and thick hatches turned these trout into discriminating connoisseurs. At these times, the river demands long leaders, light tippet, small flies and perfect drifts. The river can be effectively nymphed with
good success, but we were after the risers. The plan was to cross down-stream work our way into and up-stream position and approach a pod of rising fish with a fly first presentation. I got into position and needless to say I left my A-Game back in Maine. I quickly managed to put down the entire pod. By the end of the day I had given the fish a number of perfect drifts, but they were not having it. My buddy hooked up with a solid rainbow that nearly took him to his backing. On the way back to the truck he explained that it is not uncommon to get skunked on this river. Apparently 1-2 fish is a good day this time of year, with 1 in 3 breaking off the required 6X or spitting the hook. I had three more days and I was sure I'd be back. By day three I decided to get the stink off with a little nymphing. I hooked and landed a hard fighting rainbow, but didn't feel satisfied. I got the call and we were set to hit the evening caddis hatch. The wind was howling when we stepped into the water and I wasn't optimistic. We noticed a few random rises and within 30 minutes it happened. The wind died and the surface came alive. Everywhere you looked, caddis were fluttering in the air and across the water. Suddenly backs and heads were slowly rising above the surface. Pods of fish were working the bugs from bank to bank. I picked a pod and made my last stand. It was hard to imagine so many fish, so many bugs, and so many refusals. But eventually, the numbers worked in my favor. The cast felt good and I watched as the fly floated down stream without the slightest hint of drag. I paid out line to extend the drift to the max and SLURP! The fish was instantly on the reel and fighting hard. I netted the fish, took a photo and sent the rainbow on its way. I felt a sense of accomplishment like no other fish has given me. We reeled in and hit the trail back to the truck. On the way, my buddies friend said; "Well you made it through Graduate school." He was right. It had been a long time since I fished a technical river and I realized a few days getting schooled by PhD trout can teach you a lot about fly fishing.
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by MarshallD on July 26, 2006 http://www.flyanglersguide.com | keith,
nice going on the "A" game rebound! cool story too.
Reminds me of the Henrys Fork (but that's Id) ... maybe the lower Madison....? Got me guessing, but I have fished the Grad schoolies in Mt. and they're educators.
Marsh |
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by Shaq on July 26, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | | Hey, I have a feeling the first day you were just taking it all in. Hapens to everyone. A-game is hard with all the distractions, new river, beautifull surroundings. Second day though watch out. No more mister nice guy. Great story congrats on the fish. That will be something you can take with you for a long time! |
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by wrh on July 26, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | | Ah, the best that dry fly trout fishing has to offer for us fisherfolks, there is nothing like it. It is definelty the school of hard knocks. One gets initiated into success by the fish and one only passes if one has the A-game with them. Sounds like the Missouri to me. If it is that is my favorite river in Big Sky country. |
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by joey on July 27, 2006 http://www.fliesandfinseast.com | | Nice Looking fish Keith- It must have been frusturating watching everything unfold infront of you and have no takers. Good to see you tricked a couple. Great story I enjoyed reading it. |
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by waterwhippa on July 27, 2006 http://salmonriverspecialists.com | | Great read and beautiful rainbow. Keep your "A" game handy for this Fall. |
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by jinxed247 on July 28, 2006 http://www.jumpcut.com/flyfishing247 | | Nice job!!! Great read. It sure does make for a satisfying end to a trip when you finally land one!!! |
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Re: Montana Rainbow Trout: Graduate School Style
by jeremy on July 30, 2006 http://www.ineedasimplesolution.com | | keith - man, you always pull this killer trips out of your hat ... last minute atlantic salmon komkazi runs to new brunwick canada, flordia, carribean, scotland, montana .... nice work ... haven't heard from you in awhile ... thought i might see you out on the striper flats tonight .. there was NOBODY out there .. give me a ring sometime ... got some new trout/salmon water and striper spots to show ya .. |
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