June

Last week the river slowed down and was very clear. The weather was agreeable, and the trout have been biting. I picked up a neat streamer in the dollar bin at Wolf Creek Anglers, brought it home and and it was a sweet success. I managed a few trips out to explore and of course fish my local favorites. I never really stopped fishing for the last six weeks, just changed venues looking for hook ups in some new streams and of course, had great times in the Missouri River.

I am constantly learning new places, new flies and meeting new friends. I think of the people I know that plan on fishing the delightful waters of Montana. Sometimes, especially around the fourth of July, the river gets put to the test. Worm sales soar and the rapella rack at the store gets thin. I am chuckling....

It is not uncommon to shop around for empty water especially on week-ends and around the holiday. Sometimes the weather produces more whales than fish. At the gas station today, the scene was amazing. Many smiling people and a variety vehicles, all with non local plates. Shorts and flip flops...

Local business thrives with this influx and the fourth will be an all out event with a great parade, and fireworks that are spectacular. Many people migrate here from other communities that have banned them, to enjoy sky rockets and mini bombs..

I have gathered some pictures to share, I hope you enjoy my time fly fishing as much as the pictures were fun to take. I use a very special camera, 20 bucks at the pawn shop.

enjoy!

The release

Streamer and a brown trout

                                                            

Spring colors of the cut throat

Spring breaks out on the Blackfoot River!

June turns green and heats up!

The Blackfoot River has been very full of water, running fast making access difficult. The lower Blackfoot is floatable and Salmon flies have been moving upstream for a week. This time of the year, I move to other great waters to catch fish. I have been fishing the Missouri River and Prickly Pear Creek. On weekdays the people are few and far between. I took a trip over there (45 miles) earlier this week and had a great time catching and fighting with broad shouldered rainbow trout. A friend showed me prickly Pear Creek, we both caught huge rainbows there. I have since returned and was rewarded with a heavy brown trout. 

When I waded out to a spot on the Mosouri,I tied on a wet fly, caddis nymph. With that  I started my search. The heat was on, my face, neck and ears were covered with old school zinc oxide.

As I prowled it wasn't very long before I spied some nice trout feeding just below the surface. Then I took my first cast. A swing and a slow retrieve. It took several tries, but as I have always  said, never be surprised!

 Wham, there it was, my first hook-up! That rainbow was on and I needed to be cautious if I wanted him to reach my net. The power of the fish was absolutely astounding. My line raced off the reel to the backing as I tried to let him work off some energy. Slowly I pulled line, reeled and finally he was in the net! A great feeling, a quick picture he was released back into the river.

My day continued with more huge fighters. I left the river reminded of how much I love to fly fish.

June will bring more great days on the river, as the days go by The Blackfoot River will deliver the adventure this old man loves.

I also want to share the pictures of Prickly Pear Creek. 

A local favorite, weekdays will leave one all alone.

I hope your lines get wet and the trout south your soul.