A little brown sugar

Ye olde brown trout face

I had some work training at the Warm Springs Ponds today.  Checked in on the Upper Clark Fork afterward. The brown trout are not quite in the insane zone yet, but they are definitely starting to get excited to eat meat.  My carp leech to be exact.  Also, above the ponds, the cutts are eating streamers.  Yup.  I have been told a million times that cutthroat are not piscivorous by a bunch of fisheries biologists.  I guess I'm a science denier on this one but I do have tangible proof.  On the other side of the continental divide, the carp bite is still on.  However, the calm clear days are few and far between.  It's trout time in Montana.   

Brook trout clown suit

Brook trout skin

Here in Montana, we have plenty of those little dink brookies that come to most people's minds when you say "brook trout." They are not native here and they cause some ecological trouble with our native and threatened bull char.  However, in Georgetown Lake, they are somewhat isolated from the rest of the watershed and they are managed for in a positive way because they get huge.  Some of them can get to Labrador, Canada-type sizes.  In the fall, they put on their clown suits and are the most colorful fish you can find.

Big boy guarding his redd in Emily Spring

As of now, the brookies in the lake are in full to late spawn and are just about impossible to catch. The good pre-spawn fishing is over but you can find some schooled-up roamers moving around that are not on the redds.  Throwing a big streamer at them may piss one off but at this point, it's a lost cause.  However, there is a fun alternative.  The rainbows will also join these moving herds. Throw an unweighted double egg rig right in front of the moving school.  As they all move over it, watch your line tip.  Once it starts following the school, set the hook.  It will be a big G-town rainbow every time!

Take your kids up to see the kokanee and brookie spawners in Emily spring and the hoards of eagles. I'd be surprised if you made it all the way around the lake and did not spot a moose or 2 as well.

Fall on the Missouri River

Christine on the MO

I spent the last couple of days battling the wind over on the MO.  The fall colors over there are outstanding.  The fishing could be better.

Although the wind gave us some extra work during the day, the last hour before dark made up for it big-time because every fish in the river became pissed off and wanted to take it out on my streamer.

Headed up to the mine waste this weekend.  Stay tuned...

Eagle in yellow tree

Fall 2014 Issue - Montana Fly Fishing Magazine

Montana Fly Fishing Magazine (http://MontanaFlyFishingMagazine.com/) announces their latest issue: Fall 2014.

In this issue:

"Blue-Ribbon Life" photography by Jason Savage

Veteran fly tyer and fly fishing presenter Chuck Stranahan teaches us how to tie Chuck's Sculpin in "Chuck's Fly Tying Bench."

Ehren Wells profiles the unique fly rod cases of KG Woodworks in "Building a Better Fly Rod Case."

Joe Cummings shares scenes from the water's edge in "Spinner Fall."

Connor Tapscott shares recent his recent trip to Montana in "A Journey Westward."

"Madison Views" a photo essay by Justin Edge

"Cold Storage" by John Grassy, DNRC Public Information Officer

Jesse Bussard rounds things out with a little poetry with "The One That Got Away."

Rock Creek, MT is Sacred

I could sit here and write a 5 volume novel on what makes Rock Creek (tributary to the Clark Fork) such a wonderful place.  Honestly, I don't have the literary skills to do it justice.  I'm talking about everything too, not just the fishing.  I'm in love with the geology, the plant communities, the wildlife, and the local community.  I could go on and on but it is easier to just state the only thing that I don't love.  Sometimes, especially on weekends in the summer, I have to avoid the creek because everyone else loves it too.  That's ok, I can share.

I wanted to do a full spring photo essay but the lighting sucked.  While it ruined my chances at some vibrant pics, it made the fishing great!

It's at this point that my troubles disappear 

Pre-spawn female rainbow eats a SH sow bug

Lower Rock Creek Early Spring

Rock Creek last Fall

Here's some tips to make the Creek more fun for everyone.

• Pinch your barbs!!  This is an extremely important reproduction area for trout/char, whitefish, suckers, etc.
• Follow the old Montana "stay out of sight" rule.  It works because there is plenty of room for everyone here.  This is not NY or WA.  If you see another fisherperson don't jump in and start fishing, keep going.  Lot's of out-of-staters are unaware of this part of MT fishing culture.  It's best not to get mad at them but to tell them about our culture.