April Magic

April 2016 will go down as an awesome fishing month along the Blackfoot River. 

Nymphs to dries in one weekend.

The hatches of stone flies have arrived and March Browns are getting immediate attention. The river is in early spring mode, some staining, but no snow melt yet. Brown tout are coming in numbers, ready to feed on cut throat roe as their spawn will begin soon.

I have heard that spring is a time for good fishing in Montana, but usually the Blackfoot is slow to wake up. This season all the right combinations are making for great, fun fishing.

 brown trout 

    

Westslope cut throat trout

The best fish story I have from recent past, is the catching of a large brown trout. I saw a fish feeding on the surface, and knew a March Brown fly would fool it. Sure enough as I tied on a size 16, 

my first cast yielded a fierce strike, Right off the top, the fish was on! I wrestled to keep my rod tip up, and saw him! what a big trout, jumping and pulling to free himself. Close to the net and whoa!!

He slipped my hook. The worst of feelings. I knew I would recover, but it took a walk to do it.

I wandered downstream to another great spot and after repeated attempts I hooked a nice fat cut throat using a stone fly nymph. I was relieved and happy to get such a nice fish.  A second tout would smooth my feathers after losing my first hook up. As I moved back up stream, I cast another March Brown into the current and I couldn't believe what happened. Another big brown climbed on the fly like it was the best thing since sliced bread, a huge fish, larger than my net. What a redemption for the old man. With a huge grin I released this great trout back to the river and watched his tail flip and he lives in. My next four casts were quiet, but then another strike! One very big and feisty cut throat to the net. I usually require a moment of focus to bring myself back to earth. I really had no need to continue fishing and I walked through the river back to the trail.
The trips to the river have given up some wonderful moments.

I have grown my quiver of rods to include a new Sage Graphite 5Wt. It is shorter than my favorite rod, 7'6". I am enjoying a lighter rod, using roll casts often. I only hope I will not have another broken rod this season, My 20 year old Sage is a real jewel, coupled with a Hardy reel it's hard to beat. I also wear studs on my boots, always crossing  at safe spots, Never leave my bear spray in the truck, I would hate to confront any wildlife without some defense.

Watch where the sun is and use it as a friend. Shadows will spook trout as quickly as an Osprey.

The Westslope Cut throat trout

 

Fly fishing is a healthy art form. Making plans for this season, Montana has many wonderful opportunities to engage a big trout. I hope some fun comes of this article and I will see you on the river!
As always my e-mail is savstrom@aol.com
Thanks for taking time to read my blog.
Jim

Springtime in Montana

 Springtime Fly Fishing Montana

The Blackfoot River 86 miles long from the Continental Divide to Missoula

The weather has been exceedingly good, with some snow and wind then with sunny clear skies. 

42* F. in the afternoon, the water a crisp 38*F.

Although I am still carrying winter supplies, my wool mittens have been left in the truck.

I much prefer the standard light glove, my hands take a beating. At my age, some issues need special care. During the slowdown of Winter, I had some tune-up work done and am still mending while regaining my strength. 

The last few times out I have had to re tune my strings. I always advise others to check their knots, well already I have lost a nice fish to a poor knot. I emptied all my fly boxes in November, sorted, and ordered bunches of great patterns. They have been carefully organized. Now I am building my boxes with an eye on the Calendar.  I will be the first to say that I am very good out doors and I catch many trout, but I am not artful with tying. I have great connections, many locals who do an amazing job. I have tied my own, I used to have a vise and bobbins, scissors and threads. I have caught many fish with my own flies, however I now concentrate on what I do well. I catch fish

  Carrying fire is very important. Having a problem is easier with fire. I also carry bear spray. Those rascals have been very active the last few years. Most are black bears, others are the grizzlier variety. Moose are around, their scat is so huge one cannot miss it. My last trip to the river I saw a beaver working away. Spring floods are only a few short weeks away. They must prepare.


I used a white Clause Minnow to get these two cuts. No hesitation from the fish.

Clauser Minnow

nymph pictured below

Cool mountain waters

This is one special place. 

I am old fashioned in that when I see others on the river, I immediately introduce myself and come to an agreement as to who goes where. We usually hit it off, sometimes I sense a bit of resentment, but a short chat can end up making a life log friend. At least for the day!

Thanks for visiting my site. I know that many of my readers cannot get here now, maybe not ever, 

Enjoy what I offer, I am only an old man.

for pictures or messages

Email: savstrom@aol.com

March Rains in Montana

  Something about fishing in the cold rain is keeping me inside, watching, waiting and getting ready for spring. Our El Nino weather pattern has been warmer than average for a month now. The eastern plains are all brown, not a hint of snow.  I check Snotel Montana on line  for updates on our snow-pack, and their chart has us at normal levels. We are hoping for a moderate cool down and a slow run off. We will see!. Bears have been seen, a true sign of early spring.
Winter trout fishing on the river has been very good,I am sure  the warmer weather brings down more food and the fish have been reacting. I have been able to access areas usually snowed in. A perfect chance to go after some fine trout. The trout are  low now, and when a pre spawn cut throat trout gets going, the hit is dramatic. It is very exhilarating to tangle with these great, strong fighters.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     A good reminder as one prepares for the first cast....  CHECK YOUR KNOTS! All the planning, hoping and patience will turn into frustration when the trout slips the knot. Never let that happen.

  

Early February was snowy, but not cold. The month ended with rains and a few flakes. The trout have been eating pheasant tails, woolly buggers, and San Juan worms.

Brown trout mingle with the cut throat.

A hen hanging around

When I fish in winter, my preparations begin at home before I leave. I dress for the occasion, wool socks are on my feet beneath my waders along with modern synthetic and wool blend long johns. I carry a flashlight, fire, a cheap cell phone, snacks, water, extra gloves, and my wool cap. I also make sure my camera is on board along with an ample supply of flies, extra leader and tippet.. 

 I mostly fish alone, I let someone know where I will be. I take care to not get wet, Never slip, use Goat Head Spikes on the soles of your boots. 

 Brown trout are not as wide spread as west slope cut throat.

 

The rewards of fly fishing are as numerous as the people doing it. Health is at the center of my passion. My heart loves a hike and hours of casting and catching.  My mind captures the river and notices subtle nuances, Animals are wild here, it is always a possibility an encounter will occur.  That's why this is so perfect. Montana has "people friendly" stream access laws, Many people here spend time fly fishing. 

If you are planning a trip to Montana to fly fish, aim for August. The best of summer fishing with fewer people. 

Good Luck and tight lines. Thanks for reading my blog! If you like what you read and see, come back. I will be documenting my season as the months slip by! Maybe we will fish together? I would like that! Even beginners catch fish with me around.

Winter and great fishing

 February is here, Although the cold weather has not been excessive, my neighborhood did have several weeks of very cold temperatures along with snow! It wasn't so long ago when the sun set at 4:30.  I am so happy to be past that.
I have been out fishing and had several good days on the river. My hook ups have been with large fish, well colored with fighting spirit.  Most easy spots to get into the river are only snow traps, so with that in mind the winter stretches are limited. Snow shoes would be good. Today's SNOTEL reports has the snowpack to date at 95% of normal. 2015 reminded us here of how awful fire season will be with out a snowpack.

Temperatures have not been drastically low this winter, ice on the river has not been an issue. Too much snow for me to go many places, I will walk easily in the river, but post holing through the snow is for young people with no sense.

 Westslope Cut Throat Trout

Wild fish, never stocked here.

 

During a stretch in November temps hit minus zero degrees F. Thanksgiving and Christmas were cold stretches, but the continued forecast is for mild temperatures and only occasional precipitation.
I am guessing that the forecast is subject to change.

Fishing with flies is a year round activity for many anglers. Midge hatches will be everywhere  best imitated with a pheasant tail nymph, fished along the bottom. Sculpin and other young fish will grab the trout's attention quickly. Wooly buggers with a bead head get gobbled. Midge clusters with a zebra midge dropper will be effective also.

 Catching mountain whitefish is going to happen, they are busy cleaning the bottom. As I fish, running my fly close to the bottom, these characters like to hop on board. I never regret a catch, even whitefish are fun.

Trout fins define the character of the fish and it's unseen encounters with predators. Like humans they carry  tears and scars.

A fellow my age asked me today how long I wanted to live. I replied "as long as I can find joy!".

December Cold and Snow...

Merry Christmas

Happy Winter Solstice

Holiday Joy to All!

 The beauty found in nature is perfect, The hand of man seldom matches the wonders of our natural world. Human beings, often the unwitted destroyers of our most valuable resources, will soon learn the pain of losing that source of life!

Fly fishing for me is the juice that connects to the source of life. 

Cutthroat Trout eat year round. With patience and determination the reward, comes to the net. They are not easily fooled, making this a matching of wits. Nature and man, briefly westling one another, opening the door to the soul. As I carefully release every trout, I can feel the sigh of relief from the river.   

My soul mate, the river gives me endless times of joy. We are together as one, we flow during the most difficult of times. This is a gift for man to touch. We may live close by, but we cannot own nature. Man plows, paves, diverts and dams up the flow, but nature prevails. Hidden in the minds of men is nature itself. There to salvage it self from the drain.

 

 
The wonders of winter have descended upon the landscape
Montana is like other Rocky Mountain states. It is just clearly a beautiful place. The worst of weather comes in the winter, but it is not show stopper. Life just changes,slows down while  beauty continues to surround.