The rainbow and cutthroat trout of Montana are on the spawn. Last week, I witnessed the massive trout orgy that takes place near Holter Dam on the Missouri. There, the trout make dinner table-sized, community redds. I can sit there and watch them for hours. The big colored male and the female getting it on while three smaller males wait in formation for the opportunity to sneak in there when the big guy is distracted chasing away other males. I was surprised to see that the other people around were oblivious to the redds. People were fishing them (I honestly don't think they knew they were there) and dropping anchors and parking boats over them. It was hard to watch.
Yesterday, I took a walk along the banks of Rattlesnake Creek in a local park here in Missoula. Rattlesnake Creek is a major spawning tributary for the fish in the Clark Fork around Missoula. It is a beautiful creek that comes out of the Rattlesnake Wilderness. It mostly gets ignored by fisherpeople but it is a fine trout stream all year long. Right now, the Rattlesnake is lousy with spawning fish. They are everywhere!
Go check them out and show the kids but do not mess with them. The creek is closed to fishing for two more weeks to allow the spawn to take place. It is a great way to see the WILD, amazing, huge, and beautiful trout that live in the Clark Fork and watch real world biology in action! Real fish porn.
 |
| large male rainbow on redd |
 |
| mating pair of rainbows on redd |
 |
| Betula occidentalis - western water birch blossoms |
No comments:
Post a Comment