 Montana Fly Fishing: Big Bull Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
Posted by keith on January 24, 2008
(2594 reads)
From a fly fishing perspective, I was a bit concerned about moving back to Montana after five years living in Maine. Most anglers associate fly fishing with trout, so this idea may seem insane. But the variety of freshwater and saltwater fly fishing in New England took my fly fishing to the next level and I loved it. But, now that my first season back in Montana is over, I realized I have enjoyed some great fly fishing variety, Montana style. For the foreseeable future this chapter of my fly fishing life will be titled “Trout” and Montana arguably offers some of the finest trout fishing in the world. There is amazing variety in the kind of water available to fish. From high alpine lakes in unbelievable settings, to fertile valley bottom stillwaters loaded with food and huge trout, to large, deep glacial lakes. The rivers range from prolific tailwaters with blanket hatches and thousands of fish per mile, to classic freestone streams typified by riffles, runs, and deep emerald pools, to small streams and glassy spring creeks. And there is incredible variety in the size and species of trout. There are small streams loaded with 6” native cutthroat and larger rivers and lakes with trout in the 10 lb class. This summer alone I caught cutthroat, rainbow, brown, brook, bull, lake trout, and whitefish. This list doesn’t even cover all of the salmonids available in the state. And the hatches, the variety in hatches are enough to drive a person crazy. One of my best days this year found me deep in the mountains fishing some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen. The only
fish in this water are true Montana natives; whitefish, cutthroat, and bull trout. The small to medium sized cutts were eagerly hitting a well presented dry. The bigger cutts seemed to like a large stonefly nymph fished along the bottom. On one particular drift, I dropped my nymph at the head of a run and midway through, it stopped dead. I set the hook on what I initially thought was a solid cutt only to see a monster role in the deep. After a long down stream battle I finally landed the most stunning fish I have laid eyes on. A quick photo and release left me in awe. Being the 4th largest state in the country, it is easy to see how there can be this much variety. Fortunately I’m relatively close to most of the good fishing. In less than a two hour drive I have some incredible fishing, if I travel up to four hours I can hit most of the big name water and have the bonus of pacific steelhead in Idaho, there are even more famous waters pushing the six hour mark. Needless to say, I’m tying tons of trout flies this winter and looking forward to exploring more amazing waters this spring.
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by ChrisR on January 24, 2008 | | Wow that is a great Bull trout. It's very encouraging to see the bull population bounce back in Montana like that. Especially when you see pics of fish like this one. Congrats and enjoy those home waters. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by jeremy on January 24, 2008 http://www.fliesandfins.com | Keith,
Stunning fish and great fish tale. I have never fished in Montana, but I can't wait till the day that I get a chance to. Now, I am glad that I showed you some of my striper, albie, steelhead spots when I first met you and when you first moved to Maine. Cuz, when I come out to fly fish in Montana with you ... you are bringing me to THAT spot. Seriously dude, throughout the years .. whether in Maine, Canada or wherever .. you always seem to catch some amazing fish with the fly rod. I was amazed when you came to Maine and dialed into the fresh and saltwater fishery within a years time. I remember you would get in your car and drive, solo, and just fish whereever the day and the roads would take you. Now, your doing the same in Montana and god only knows where else. I guess working for the Department Of Forestry or whatever has it's perks .. and, that beautiful trout you are holding .. is definately one of them. Well done. See you SOON. That is an amazing bull trout. The look very similar to brook trout, with those colored fins etc.?? what is there deal? Is it common for them to get that big? are the lake run fish? I would like to know more, for curiousity sake, as I don't know much at all .. if anything .. about that species of trout. Great to hear from you .. thought we'd lost ya since you'd left maine .. guess not. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by joey on January 24, 2008 http://www.fliesandfins.com | | Kieth that is a sick bully. I didn't know that they had them like that in MT. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by greg on January 24, 2008 http://www.fliesandfins.com | | WOW! what a great fish! glad to see Montana works for you. The last time I was out there it worked for me, again great fish. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by Boz on January 25, 2008 http://www.maineriverguides.com | What a beauty! Love the colors...almost looks like a dolly varden??
Regardless it seems Montana is treating you well.
Congrats on a sweet fish!!! |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by Austin on January 25, 2008 | | Wow! what a sweet fish! i would really love to catch one of those some day! i only thought that canada had bull trout....guess not. do other states besides montana also have bull trout like wyoming and idaho? great fish tale, and killer fish! |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by waterwhippa on January 25, 2008 | | What a wicked fish, very cool. Glad to see you have re-aclimated to MT again. Tangled with them in ID a few years back..it is no wonder they get so large, they are the ultimate predator. Nice job Keith. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by Charles on January 25, 2008 | Awesome fish and a beautiful pool of water in the shot above the fish. Man I am a fool my father offered me an all expense paid trip out to Montana a couple years back for fly fishing and I did not go.....very dumb on part. Great tale good luck when everything thaws this Spring.
Charles |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by twocan on January 26, 2008 | | DUDE! that's great looking fish. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by KodiakCommando on January 28, 2008 | | Nothing Prettier IMO than a Big colored up Dolly, Artic Char or Bull trout which are all VERY closely related. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by gameyblackbass on January 29, 2008 | So Keith...let's say you had a family of four (kids 3 and 5) based in the New England area and you wanted to move out to Montana...what town offers the best access to all of that great fishing yet offers the family some schooling and a town to do stuff....
thx! |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by bfc06 on January 30, 2008 | | SICK fish. what were the stats on that guy? almost looks like a huge brookie or char. |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by chernoble_kid on February 05, 2008 http://www.myspace.com/chernoble_kid | | Man its nice to hear about the rivers and streams back home in the northwest!
I've been cooped up out here in okinawa japan just counting down the days till I get back to fly fishing again! Thanks for the story! |
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Re: Montana: Awe Inspiring Trout, Prolific Hatches & Pristine Water
by freind on February 18, 2008 | Dude, great fish... you are holding one of the last of it's kind in the the lower 48. Cherish that moment, take your youth and put it to work to protect such for the future.
What a fish,What a fish... |
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