SW Montana Report (sorry no pics)

[Roffwarg]

Just got back from a trip from 7/8 - 7/16. My dad and I spend that time traveling from Bozeman to Missoula and fishing the Gallatin and a trib called Squaw Creek, the Madison and the W. Fork Madison, The Big Hole and it's tributary the Wise River, The Bitterroot and it's trib the East Fork Bitterroot, and finally Rock Creek. The trip was really a blast and the fish cooperated pretty well for us. We really enjoyed fishing the tribs to the large aforementioned rivers because wading was a lot more practical. My best fish of the trip was a fat, hooked-jaw 18" brown that came out of the East fork Bitterroot on a big ole black rubber-legged stonefly nymph. The East Fork is a pretty small flow (20 ft. wide) that is loaded with hungry cutts (8-12"+) and the occasional brute as I learned the fun way. Also enjoyed fishing a trib to the Gallatin that was packed with 6-9" bows and a couple in the 12" + range. The big hole river was pretty slow around the town of Wisdom where we fished, but we managed a few including a 15" bow. The Madison is no doubt full of big fish, but the swift current makes wade fishing a challenge, although I did get a nice 13" brown in the short time we spent on the flow along with few others a bit smaller. Finally we hit Rock Creek for the last 3 days of our journey. Although I've heard it's the best wade fishing stream in the state, it was still pretty swift and challenging to wade in quite a few sections. However, after a day of scouting and fishing some swift riffle sections, we found a nice set of deep runs and riffles that put us into some pretty browns, including a couple 13-14" and several in the 6-10" range. Also got a 14" bow and a 15" cutthroat. A lot of my success came on attractor dries like big adams and stimulators. The fish were keying in on yellow sallies much of the time and a tellico on the swing worked really well on Rock Creek. Also saw lots of Caddis and PMD's coming off in the evenings. When other things weren't working, a small pheasant tail or hare's ear was usually the ticket, although those lovable whitefish ;) seemed to prefer the flashier nymphs.
So while the size of most of the fish was nothing to write home about, the gorgeous scenery, beautiful (and delicous) trout, ice cold microbrews, and quality time with Pops made it a week to remember. By the way, I put back the big brown. We just kept a few pan-sized fish.

[flyg]

Great report! I love it that the Tellicos work out there! Too bad there's no pics. None taken, or just haven't developed them yet?

Thanks!

G

[Roffwarg]

I took a few but all on a disposable that I'll get developed later this week, but I dont have any scanning capabilities. sorry fellas. One of these days I'll get a digital but I'm convinced I'll end up dumping it in a river or cracking it on a rock since pretty much the only times I take pictures are on fishing/camping trips. My funniest experience was when a hooked fish swam between my legs on the firehole a couple years back and in my awkward attempt to lift my leg and swing the rod underneath it, I took a major spill and ruined a camera full of photos (luckily just another disposable though)

[Bocephus]

David, Im jealous, Sounds like you had a great time spending a few days bonding with your father. Hopefully we can hook up next semester and chase some of those wild trout again.

[Roffwarg]

Sounds good to me man, that is if I can ever catch a break from the books down in Augusta. I've got another week of freedom before school starts so let me know if you're back from the beach and looking to fish. Hope you had a good summer.

[wild_trout_hunter]

Sounds like a great trip. Rock creek might be my favorite stream in Montana. It's hard to have a favorite out there though. I didn't find it to be too swift at the time but I used to live out West and I'm used to wading in big swift water. Next time you make it out to Montana you should try the Missouri. Not sure how it fishes now but about five years ago it was very challenging to land fish on that stream. Picture fishing into what you thought were riffles but was actually a feeding frenzy of huge bows sipping midges. You couldn't really go bigger than 5x yet I didn't see a fish smaller than 18" on that river. The result was many hooked fish yet very few landed. Glad to here some western reports. IMO nothing's better than western fly fishing.

[Grizzz]

Any of you all been in the little town of Rock Creek during their annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Festival? Very small town that grows to 40,000 for the weekend. Best part of the weekend, it is sponsored by Hustler Magazine....Now that is a combination.

[Lambster]

Hey David:

I'm heading out to Montana..... Going to fish the Madison River, Yellowstone River,slough Creek and mill Creek....... Last year we fished the Bitterroot River, Blackfoot,Rock Creek and Northfork River and done real good.This time we'll hit the Madison hard for the bigggins.......Slough Creek has some of the largest Cutts in that area...... Hopper season is one of the best times to go because the Trout are so aggressive....... landed a Twenty inch Cutty last year on the Bitterroot River! Rock Creek was very productive last year just above the Microburst...... The Lambster will post alot of photo's for the NGTO board....... Godbless! Tight Lines...... We'll also try and get up to higher elevation to catch some Goldens!

[Lambster]

Hey Grizzz:

I went to that thing last year and bootlegged some of their Beer Back!Thats a rough place to be in at night! Better have a couple of Big Buddies with you if you go in the evenings!!!!!! Gotta go pack!

[Roffwarg]

Good luck Lambster. Can't wait to see some photos. Don't forget about Soda Butte Creek and Lamar River when you're out fishing Slough. They're more popular because of access but Soda Butte is maybe my favorite in the park. I'm already jealous...

[Grizzz]

I am counting down the days. August 30th heading west for a few days. Floating the Yellowstone on Thursday, heading over to Lamar or Soda Butte on Friday, then down to the Madison or other small streams for Saturday, then hitting the Gallatin or other small streams on Sunday on our ride back up to Bozeman. Flying back on Monday. Going to be a lot of fishing crammed into four days.

[Jim]

Where did you guys access Rock Creek? We are trying to plan a trip and are looking for some backcountry camping / fishing on a good wadable water. Thanks in advnace for the info!

[finless brown]

Any of you all been in the little town of Rock Creek during their annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Festival? Very small town that grows to 40,000 for the weekend. Best part of the weekend, it is sponsored by Hustler Magazine....Now that is a combination.


I bet you had a ball......... :D

[Roffwarg]

We camped along Rock Creek for two nights. For the first 30 miles of the creek's flow, Rock Creek road parallels the stream and there are about 4 campgrounds to choose from, all equipped with picnic tables and firepits. There are also about 10 designated car camping spots along the streamside side of the road. Dont know about backcountry possibilities though. GOod luck!

[Lambster]

Hey Roffworg had one of the best times ever! We landed 180 Trout each, walked alot of miles but this trip was one of the best trips I've ever had in all my fishing outings........We got rain Bad on Soda Butt and didn't get to fish that area........ did fish the Lamar River but it was very crowded!!!!! stayed for alittle while but didn't turn any fish over.........Slough,Mill, Taylor's fork and Big creek were the top producing streams that I've ever fished! I would rate these streams a 10....... Yellowstone R. Gardner R. Gibbon R. were also consistant........ largest Rainbow was 23 inches...... largest Cutthroat was 21 inches.......