Fishing time on the Missouri River

Greetings from Montana USA!

The weather here along the Mighty Mo was hot and dry. Giant trout fins were slicing through the water, exciting the fisherman as he knew the day was to be extraordinary. The Missouri River had pulled me over the continental divide, the pass elevation nearly 6,000 feet. As I drove along the highway, down hill all the way, the forests were left behind and the plains open up as far as one can see.  A few ranches dotted the landscape, the grasses were rich green, and the bluebirds were flitting by. It is an hour to the river, and when I arrived in the small town of Wolf Creek, I drove over Prickly Pear Creek flowing through town along with the interstate freeway.  I didn't bother with either as I quickly arrived at the Wolf Creek bridge, and turned off the paved road.

It was a great day of fishing.

The Missouri River is not home for me. I normally enjoy the waters of the Blackfoot River, more isolation and many cut throats.This river is different, heavily fished, and populated with thousands of trout per mile. I have fished many waters in the west, caught many trout, but this season, spring began with the Missouri, I am learning something new. I was daunted by the challenge, but with patience and persistence the reward has been tight lines with pesky, big rainbow trout. Very exciting!

Howdy from Montana

The hook-up here is fast and furious. These trout will break off or spit the hook as well as any. Having my line stripped from my reel, several rainbows ran for the middle of the river, I was palming the reel to slow the fish as the line came close to the backing. Patience, no hurry, slowly I brought in the line, the fish running and fighting. Once he was in the net, I felt wonderful and snapped the picture.

I didn't have time to get rid  the shadow behind me. Great rainbow to the net!

The second fish was also a blast.
I drove home that evening feeling joy that comes with a day of great fishing. For the next months of summer, I will not return to the Missouri, but spend my fishing hours on my home waters, the Blackfoot River. I love catching cut throat trout. The fine long summer evenings, with trout rising to the dry flies still wait in the wings..
Thank You
Jim Savstrom

Watching for rattlesnakes as I took this shot of the Missouri River

Pure thrill 

Swim free 

Helena Montana, USA

Close to Helena Montana, the area is strikingly beautiful. The state capitol is not a huge city, but it is huge for great fly fishing opportunities in a user friendly setting. 

The best on the river.....