Out There

The Only Game in Town

Montana's rivers continue to run high and mostly clouded with some, including the Jefferson, pushing out of their banks this morning. So where does a guy fish moving water when the flows are up? Judging by this past weekend everyone has the same idea: the Beaverhead.

The upper mile and a half of the Beaverhead runs clear before Clark Canyon Creek dumps its spew into the river from the east bank. I decided to try the Beaverhead on Friday afternoon, and again on Saturday, and I came away with this conclusion. If you are going to fish the Beaverhead anytime soon, fish early or fish late.

I say that because I was able to damage some fish on Friday afternoon/evening. But, after being joined by a motley crew from Missoula on Friday night, at the Buffalo Bar in Clark Canyon, we didn't get on the water Saturday until after 10 a.m. By that time the hoards had put a hurt on the Beaverhead's rainbows and we couldn't buy a fish.

I'll offer a little modesty here. Some people did catch fish including some novice across the river from us. He put a licking on four big rainbows while our offerings went unscathed. I could see fish, I got good drifts, but I couldn't get an eat. Wrong fly? Luck of the draw? I rifled through my fly boxes, tried all kinds of PMD and Baetis imitations, and even tied on San Juan worms and sow bugs. Nada.

I did hook a couple good rainbows, plus a brown that went major aerial, but mostly it was a frustrating day shared by my friends. And that's odd, because we usually pound trout no matter where we fish, including technical waters like the Henry's Fork, Silver Creek and the Bighorn. So, will I be back to the Beaverhead anytime soon. Maybe not. But I will go back there in a few weeks to see what's shaking with hoppers. I have to; the river is loaded with 17-to 20 inch rainbows and sooner or later I'll find one that's stupid enough to eat what I'm throwing. Here are some pics from the weekend, a little debauchery rolled in with the angling, so basically a good trip despite our frustrations with those fish. Hope you enjoy.

greg

Riding the Waves

It's salmonfly time in Montana, but the streams are mostly blown out right now with the Madison flowing mud and the Big Hole breaking free of its banks.

With Kidos in Tow

Well, I can't say it was a normal opening day in Montana. Typically on the third Saturday in May I'm banging away on the Madison River tributaries, meaning the West Fork, Indian Creek, Grayling Creek or Duck Creek, or I'm over in the Red Rock trying to find one of those big cutthroats.

Let's fish!

But this time I decided to spend the day with Tate and Myka and just take in the feel of the Madison Valley on opening day, when anglers hit the aforementioned tributaries along with some prime stretches of the main river, especially from West Fork Bridge up to Quake Lake. Fortunately, that section runs right behind Kelly Galloup's Slide Inn fly shop, which is where we ended up midday on Saturday.

We were overdue to visit the shop because, for one, I wanted to see the improvements Galloup made this winter and spring. And, more importantly, I've been under the barrage of "Come on Dad," because Tate is enamored with Galloup's dog, Eddie, and has been prodding me to get back there ever since the last time we were there. Also, she penned some massive drawing for Galloup and has been eager to deliver it.

After visiting for a while Galloup said, "Come on Tate and Myka, we're going fishing." We jogged through Galloup's yard and watched him try out a new rod and one of his streamers. It wasn't long before he hooked a solid brown and then urged Tate to his side. A minute later Tate and Galloup were laughing together and looking at the fish.

Drive By Shootings

Spring in the Rockies is a great time to see a variety of animals and birds and that opportunity coincides with some of the best fishing you'll find all year. Drove around a portion of southwest Montana this weekend, mostly fishing, but also stopping whenever I saw a decent wildlife photo opportunity. Thought you guys might like this sample of what I found. Hope you enjoy.

greg

Laszlo family receives National Wetlands Award for O'Dell Creek improvements.

Some of the most progressive and important conservation work in the country is going on right out my backdoor in Montana's Madison Valley, courtesy of a landowner who loves fish and wildlife, a person who put together a significant team to save his wetands. And in the process, he just may bolster the Madison River's trout population.O'Dell Creek is one of the prettiest places in the country and I had the fortune to fish it with Jeff Laszlo last fall.

That champion landowner is Jeff Laszlo and the property he's caring for is Granger Ranches, including  O'Dell Creek Ranch. O'Dell Creek is an amazing spring creek that feeds the Madison River, just upstream from Ennis Lake. I was fortunate to fish with Laszlo last fall, on a beautiful, crisp October day. We plied O'Dell and picked up a few fish and I learned how dedicated to the land Lazlo is. For his efforts, and the efforts of his family, the Lazlo's will receive the National Welands Award for Landowner Steward. The presentation will take place May 19 in Washington D.C. Following is a press release on the award and it's well worth reading. Look for an in-depth story on the Laszlo's and O'Dell Creek in an upcoming issue of Fly Rod & Reel. I'm putting the piece together now. For now, however, read this release and say thanks to the Laszlos. gt