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| Carp flies now sold at Sportsman's Warehouse in Helena |
The huge variety of fishing options in Southwest Montana makes it much harder to write coherent fishing reports like I could do in Missoula. I write reports every once in a while so that there is a non-biased, transaction-free source of information out there for anyone who cares. I also use this blog as a personal fishing log which comes in handy sometimes for my own pursuits. So here it is:
Big Hole River:
It was huge and the salmonflies have come and gone. Usually, the fishing sucks for a couple weeks after the hatch. It's called the "salmonfly hangover" and it can really suck. I avoided the party this year due to my trip to Florida and the shitty conditions. The river is dropping in nicely now and summer on the Big Hole should be the best it has been in years. It would be awesome to be able to fish hoppers in the afternoon this year!
Upper Clark Fork:
As the river drops and clears, the caddis fishing will get insane. The Upper is a caddis stream through and through.
Silver Bow Creek:
I haven't been out there yet this year but things usually get going right about now. You'd be surprised by what may eat your larger attractor dry or simple streamer...
Missouri River (Craig reach):
I have to distinguish what area now because my Missouri River Range has grown so much over the last few years. The dry fly bite is on big-time. There are pods of snotty MO trout all over the river. You need to bring your A game. Perfectly placed casts and drag free drifts are crucial. Fly selection comes second in importance. They will eat PMD spinners, caddis, and buzzballs like candy if you can present them properly.
Holter Lake Carping:
I'm embarrassed to say that it was my first time on the boat up at Holter recently. It is such a beautiful place! I didn't have much info on carp fishing up there but I knew that they had to be there. They are, and they get big like in Clark Canyon. The carp were tough and I got my ass handed to me. There is still a bunch that are spawning but I was able to find some over on the rockier eastern shore that were willing to eat. I even landed one of the largest carp yet to date. I can't wait to get back up there again. There are also some great trout in Holter!
Three Forks Ponds Carping:
The carping in the Three Forks Ponds is outstanding right now! There are still some spawners but the ones that aren't are tailing in groups in the flats. Throw a small black wooly bugger or small leech pattern for all-day action.
Clark Canyon Carping:
I haven't been down there since I've been back but I imagine it is the same as Holter. They were in full spawn mode before I left and the fishing was hit or miss picking on the wallflowers. The carping should get better and better here by the day. It's time to start thinking about callabaetis, damsels, and dragonfly nymphs perfectly cast and timed to be in the hot zone of a slowly cruising, golden submarine.
Georgetown Lake:
I will be checking in on Montana's finest brook and rainbow trout lake very soon. The traveling sedge caddis should be underway as we speak and intensifying over the next few weeks. Also, callabaetis, damsels, and dragonflies in nymph and adult form will play out as well. The traveling sedge hatch on G-town is one of the finest of any hatch you will ever encounter. Big bugs and big willing fish are what it is all about. Have you ever had a 100+ fish dry fly day?
Thats all I got for now.
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