Quick Montana report

[dcabarle]

Today we had our 3rd day floating down the Big Hole River. Day 1... The guide was fair. He really like to brag about Al Caucci. Star Struck I guess... The catching was dismal. Day 2... The guide was top notch but again, the catchin was lousy. Day 3... Another day, another guide. Todays guide was pretty damned good. He busted his ass all day but unfortunately, the fish were just not cooperating.

The Big Hole is like Category 4 rapids and the fishing was 100% along the banks in the shallows. I used streamers 1/2 the time and dries the other half. Total on streamers is probably 5. Total on dries, probably 10-12. No fish over 16" have been caught and most of the fish caught were probably in the 12-16" range.

Now if you're nymphing with this stupid ass balloon bobbers, that's another story. Guys were catching fish with these things. I refuse to put one on my line. I haven't even put a nymph on my line yet.

Numbers are great but I'm not a numbers guy. It's not to say I don't like to catch trout in numbers but I'd rather catch 2 trout on a dry than 20 trout on nymphs. Nymphing is simply not what I'm interested in. I don't enjoy it and I find it rather boring. I'd rather watch a baseball game (Talk about boring).

Anyhow, here are a few pictures.

 

[AKSkim]

Balloon fishing? What are they going for tuna?

Just another version of centre pinning if you ask me.

Nice photos of Montana.

Have you gone to see the battle field yet? Take thousands of photos for me. I am very interested in the topography of Medicine Trail Coulee, so hundreds of photos (be sure to mark your location and direction of view)would be great.

Now lets address that wise crack about BASEBALL being boring.....

 

[dcabarle]

I'm still trying to get used to this 10pm sundown; wierd.

Every day they put us with a new guide for some reason, I wish I knew why. We really liked the guide from Monday and we requested to have him again. I have no issue with yesterday's guide, he was as good as they get but we really felt comfortable with Monday's guide.

So I'm a little bit annoyed about this trip and I'll tell you why. My father being so excited about catching this Salmon fly hatch called the place every few days for the past 2 weeks. I called last Thursday. The report was that the Salmon flies were going bonkers and the water levels were perfect. Needless to say, we got here and the first morning, all the guides are outside talking about how slow it's been and how high the water levels have been and how the Salmon flies just haven't kicked in yet. Now don't get me wrong, I totally understand that hatches are unpredictable but, when you're told 2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks... before your trip that the rivers have all been on fire and you get here and the guides are outside scratching their heads and exchaning notes about how lousy it's been and how high the rivers have been and how off color, etc... Well, I have a problem with that.

Here is a picture of what weve been fishing in. This is pretty much what most of the river (Big Hole) looks like. They won't even take us to the other rivers because they're all blown out and the fishing just sucks there right now. So how do you tell someone over the phone that it's been phenominal catching on dries and that people have been knocking them dead on these stones, when they're not. To make matters worse, I asked the shop owner what flies they've been knocking them dead with and he gladly sold me 20 or so big ass foam flies (Size 2). Then you go outside only to hear how shitty the fishing has been by the guides and that the Salmon flies haven't even started.

On another note, last night we were invited to the owners ranch for some western hospitality (burgers on the grill). It's a nice ranch and we had a good time. Here's the kicker though... The guide from yesterday was pretty adamant about getting us back by 6:30 for this event. I told him that we're here to fish and not to eat and socialize. He said that is was his boss that gave to orders to get us back by 6:30 and not his decision. What kind of shit is that???? **** that BBQ... I wanted to fish.

Today we want to float the Madison. We heard nothing good about it but still want to fish it for the experience. I mean... what could be worse than what we've been fishing so far?

I'm sure some of you think I'm just a crybaby but... I kept my fly boxes at home because I was told the fish have been smacking the piss out of the Salmon flies. I figured, what do I need a size 18 cdc caddis for? (glad I did have a few with me). Would I use this place again? 100% yes because so far the guides have been top notch (except for the first one). I also think that the fishing here can be absolutely spectacular. The views are amazing and the people in the area are all really nice. I just don't like being lied to.

 

[bkill]

DC,

What about hitting a smaller water or spring creek...I know you will have to, dare I say it, wade fish, but at least you may find fish that are willing to take dries.....

Enjoy...Keep the reports coming....

 

[dcabarle]

Gee whiz... I almost forgot something. The other day I was walking along the river bank when all of the sudden, I was attacked by this beast. I hear this loud noise in my ear and I jumped so high I think my head went into orbit. Then I hear this rustling in the grass and I thought to myself, ok, this is it... I'm doomed. Well, I look down and getting up out of the grass no more than 3 feet away from me...

 

[dcabarle]

DC,

What about hitting a smaller water or spring creek...I know you will have to, dare I say it, wade fish, but at least you may find fish that are willing to take dries.....

Enjoy...Keep the reports coming....

Good question and we did ask about this numerous times (different people)... We're told they're all on private property but there is 1 we could fish. It's about 200 bux but not part of our package deal.

 

[Corndog]

DC,

I know what you mean about being lied to. I guess they are worried that if they tell the truth some of their clients will cancel. Lets face it...for them it's all about the money. Frustrating and sucks royally. Actually sounds like you're doing pretty good. Enjoy your time with your dad.

Cdog

 

[Stimulator]

I just don't like being lied to.

What is the name of the outfit that your trip is with? I also hate being lied too and I would like to know who I can't trust for an honest report.

 

[GARYB]

Dennis

Haven't been to Montana in years, but the Madison should be getting the salmon flies
around now. If the Madison isn't blown out, it's really good below Quake lake down to the Palisades. There is usually a million caddis around.

 

[AKSkim]

.. I'm doomed. Well, I look down and getting up out of the grass no more than 3 feet away from me...

AHHhhhhhhhhhhh.....

That is such a cute little animal.

Hope you killed it before you got back in the boat.

 

[AKSkim]

What is the name of the outfit that your trip is with? I also hate being lied too and I would like to know who I can't trust for an honest report.

I just don't like being lied to.

Yeah.. get all those guides names and the name of the outfitter out.

We need a good trashing post.

I can just hear those coming over from GIRL SCOUT TROUT
screeching.... "How mean those bullies are on NEFF..."

Hope you got photos of those guides...

 

[quality time]

I know what you mean about being lied to. I guess they are worried that if they tell the truth some of their clients will cancel. Lets face it...for them it's all about the money. Frustrating and sucks royally.
Cdog

I agree WiseDog!

While I have never taken a flyfishing trip outside of the Northeast, I have skied all over the US and Europe. I have noticed that ski resort owners exaggerate the quality and amount of snow when conditions are very poor, and it's certainly because of the money. People do cancel trips if the conditions aren't great. It's a shame too, because it's a shortsighted way to do business.....that 'get what you can now' attitude is bad, and doesn't build a repeat client base. In the long run it will hurt their business. What you have to do is check with independent sources for information. If I was lied to like that, and the shop took me for a ride to move some flies that weren't hatching, I'm not sure I'd be so keen to return.

QT

 

[coolkyle]

I take this with a grain of salt, but I've heard that the lower Madison is fishing OK. Beartrap Canyon is a beautiful place to wade fish, and there are some monsters. Have you considered heading to the Missouri? For some spring creek fishing, Poindexter Slough in Dillon isn't that far from you, and the Beaverhead is right there if it starts fishing well.

 

[Corndog]

I agree WiseDog!

While I have never taken a flyfishing trip outside of the Northeast, I have skied all over the US and Europe. I have noticed that ski resort owners exaggerate the quality and amount of snow when conditions are very poor, and it's certainly because of the money. People do cancel trips if the conditions aren't great. It's a shame too, because it's a shortsighted way to do business.....that 'get what you can now' attitude is bad, and doesn't build a repeat client base. In the long run it will hurt their business. What you have to do is check with independent sources for information. If I was lied to like that, and the shop took me for a ride to move some flies that weren't hatching, I'm not sure I'd be so keen to return.

QT

The sports shops (not all of them) and the DSR on the Salmon River (NY) do it all the time in their reports.

Cdog

 

[boomer88]

Dennis,

Wish I were there even though the fishing is tough. The Beaverhead is a tailwater that usually fishes well even through run-off. Either that, or I'd eat the $200 and fish one of the spring creeks in the area. What's another $200 when you've made that much of a commitment. If you're all the way up on the Big Hole, stop in the Wise River Club for a pop.

 

[AKSkim]

Dennis,

If you're all the way up on the Big Hole, stop in the Wise River Club for a pop.

Pop... POP.. what the hell you heen hanging out over on GIRL SCOUT TROUT lately Boomer?

POP.. the only two people that I know on this planet that drink POP is BRK TRT and Future Fanatic.

POP... give the man a beer. A warm beer at that. He'll show you!

POP... POP nothing.

 

[boomer88]

I wasn't sure whether they sold those fruit-laden Mexican beers you like that far north

 

[AKSkim]

I wasn't sure whether they sold those fruit-laden Mexican beers you like that far north

I figure they should have any kinda draft beer.. they can just as easily chuck a lemon in it and he'd be just as happy.

 

[coolkyle]

Pop is delicious.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi Dennis!

Come back home!!

Great sulphurs and lots of big fish on the D the last couple of days and no guide needed!!!

Jim

 

[dcabarle]

AHHhhhhhhhhhhh.....

That is such a cute little animal.

Hope you killed it before you got back in the boat.

Actually had this for dinner tonight!

 

[dcabarle]

Hi Dennis!

Come back home!!

Great sulphurs and lots of big fish on the D the last couple of days and no guide needed!!!

Jim

I miss it but I will say this... There is so much damn river to fish over here it's just incredible. I love the delaware but the water is so much different out here. So much more different' types of water it's unbelievable. Can't wait to get back on the D but these rivers are insane and although we haven't caught many fish, there's just so much more variety in the types of water. I really love it out here, fish or no fish. The D is my home though!

 

[emerger]

If time permits....hit the Beaverhead. Dam to Henneberry. Loaded with big trout. You should do well there.