Category Archives: Northern Rockies
Andy Carlson’s Purple Haze
A western trout killer on the Bitterroot and every other stream A few years ago I got a call from a friend who was living in a yelllow bus on the banks of the BIg Hole River near Dewey, Montana. … Continue reading
Skwala Stonefly Hatch
The Spring Skwala Hatch, Montana’s Bitterroot River and Beyond. I used to think that the presence of skwala stoneflies was limited to western Montana, with an epicenter being the Bitterroot River. But over time I learned that they are present on … Continue reading
Joe Sowerby’s Gonzo Streamer
Joe Sowerby and Montana Fly Fishing Connection’s Gonzo Streamer The Gonzo is Missoula outfitter Joe Sowerby’s favorite streamer, his go-to bug when the water starts to cloud during spring. But these take fish during winter, too. So, if you have … Continue reading
Hot Weather? Salmon River Fish Move to Tributaries
Concentrate on Tributary Mouths and You’ll Find Fish I used to interview the chief biologist for every major stream in the northern Rockies—each year—and I learned a ton of useful information from many of them. There were things that we … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation, Idaho, Northern Rockies
Tagged bull trout, Cutthroat Trout, Salmon River
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Bighorn River Water Battle Heats Up
Bad Blood Boiling in Wyoming and Montana—Bighorn River Fishery at stake. A battle has been brewing between Montana and Wyoming, a fight for water that begins in Wyoming but, subsequently, drains into Montana and supports what many people, including myself, … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation, Montana, Northern Rockies
Tagged Bighorn River, Troy Letherman
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Fighting The Chill in Montana’s Beartrap Canyon
Whiskey, trout and beer. Your standard winter fishing adventure Well, I think we had a high of 32 degrees yesterday, but that was in town, in Ennis. Below Ennis Lake in the Beartrap Canyon, where the sun didn’t make it above … Continue reading
Tying and Fishing the Brassie
Long-lived pattern that still gets ’em. I understand why so many of us are always trying to create the next greatest fly pattern—tying flies is a lot of fun and the possibility of creating something that fools fish and allows … Continue reading
Western Wolves and playing Dirty Harry
Are wolves a reason to carry a Dirty Harry sidearm when fishing? I do a lot of tromping through the backcountry looking for fish that most people overlook. I’m always aware that I could encounter a black bear or a … Continue reading
Ruby River, Montana and Brown Trout
Fall brown hunting on the Ruby River. If you’re looking for a little solitude in southwest Montana you can often find it on the Ruby River. The Ruby, which hosts a couple thousand trout a mile, including browns to 20 … Continue reading
Rock Star Fishing on Ennis Lake, Montana
Fall browns and rainbows in southwest Montana. It was one of those days. I mean, November 4, in Montana, with the temperature right at 70 degrees. Not a breath of wind. Clear, blue sky. Ducks and geese passing overhead. Leaves … Continue reading