Anyone fish Montana?

[twiskman]

I posted this one the Chesapeake board, and someone suggested that I post here as well...


OK- I just got the call from Coroprate that my new station assignment is going to be Malmstrom AFB in Montana. I will be there from Arpil through August (maybe September)- so, it looks as if I will miss most if not all of trophy season, as well as the summer run. However, I will be in Great Falls MT- an area that I have heard to have spectacular fishing. The question is, who has ever been out that way, what can I expect, and what should I bring? I will be coming home every three weeks, so I should be able to replenish my stocks on my return trips... so thats not really a problem. Its a 6 hour drive to Calgary, 5 hours to Yellowstone, and about 3.5 hours to Glacier Natl park. Is there anything in these locations worth checking into? Its going to be a long time away from my family, and my little girl, so, I am trying to make the most of this experience. Thanks a lot for any info.

I could really use some info on the equipment necessary, as well as any locations that you may feel comfortable sharing. Thanks again all!!!

[spilunkr]

There will be a lot of good trout fishing opportunities available. The two closest to Great Falls that come to mind immediately are the Upper Missouri River and the Big Horn River. There is also the Smith River but access to the is pretty much restricted to floating the river and permits for floating are limited. Those rivers are well known. there is good public access on the Missouri and some on the Big Horn (floating the Big horn is a better option) There are also some spring creeks in that area but I've never fished them. As far as gear; either a 9' 4 or 5 wt outfit for general use, a 3 wt for spring creek use and if you want to fish bigger streamers maybe a 6 wt. If you plan on fishing some of the smaller, higher elevation back country streams it would be hard to beat a 7 1/2' to 8' 4 wt.

Guy

[twiskman]

I have only tried it (flyfishing)once, and ended up with a fly in my eyelid, and I just never picked it up again... so I have no idea who makes a good rod/reel, how much they should cost, line wts...etc. Can you also recommend a good book to read, so that I can try to get this down? Or is it better to just take some good advice, and get out there, and try it? Sorry for my naievete, but, Im a little clueless here.

[twiskman]

Another thouhgt... will there be any value to taking my ATV or my SOT kayak?

[ab4usa]

Tim,

The TU chapter to which I belong (PPTU.org) has a mentor program. It might be an idea to do that before you leave. 1st year membership in TU is $17.50 and, if you choose PPTU as your local chapter you will get a full day of one on one (usually) mentoring on a Maryland trout stream. There are books about beginning fly fishing but they will probably not talk about "brands" of equipment. Give me an idea of what you would like to spend on a rod and reel and I will be happy to give you some manufacturers to review. Meanwhile, if you browse through Barnes and Nobel you will find one or two how to books.

[twiskman]

I really dont have a dollar amount in mind. While I dont mind spending money for good gear, I know that this is likely to be an isolated trip. I work for the military, and dont get too many options to get out and fly fish, and locally, I prefer to get on the rockfish, blues, and offshore species. I guess what I am looking for, will be a "best bang for the buck" kind of deal. It doesnt have to be fancy or pretty... just functional, and of good enough quality to be able to learn the craft, and last me through the seasons there. It might become a recurring habit, and I might find myself looking at local rivers/streams, but as of right now, I dont want to spend too much on a rig, if I might not continue it when I return to this area full time...

Hopefully, that wasnt too confusing. And thanks for your continued help!

[ab4usa]

The "standard" for trout is a 5 weight 9 foot rod. You might consider a 6 weight so you could use it for small mouth bass, pickrel in the rivers and creeks of the bay, and schoolies and blue fish in late summer/early fall.

[spilunkr]

Tim,

Unless you are interested fishing lakes for trout I would forego the ATV or Kayak. Most any flowing water in Montana big enough for a kayak is going to be primarily adjacent to private property and access for put in and take outs are typically several miles apart. Even with a kayak if you float any length you would be stuck with a paddle back against the current to your put in point. Wading would likely work out better - in Montana once you are in the water you can wade up or downstream and not be trespassing.

If you are only looking at one outfit and would also like that outfit for warmwater fish like smallmouths and schoolie stripers or blues in the salt, I would suggest a 9' 6 wt. outfit. But, make sure it is a saltwater 6 wt. so as to have some corrosion resistance in the rod fittings and reel (but even so wash the rod and reel thoroughly after salt water use). You don't have to spend a ton of money. Places like Orvis, L. L. Bean, Cabela's and Bass Pro/Outdoor World all have good outfits in the $200 range. That will get you a medium fast action rod and a decent reel pre-spooled with backing and line. It will be serviceable equipment with a mid-grade fly line. There are even less expensive outfits but if you decide that you like fly fishing, you would quickly want to upgrade from the low end outfits. Decent waders and wading boots will set you back about another $100. Orvis and Bean both have a good getting started in fly fishing type books. For flies to use in Montana, I suggest waiting until you get there and ask at a local fly shop. When I moved out here to Colorado from Maryland, I was surprised at the number of regional patterns available even though I had made a number of western trips. There has been an explosion of new patterns out here developed in recent years.

Nothing helps improve the learning curve like have someone show you how. If you can, I would definitely recommend the PPTU mentor program.

Guy

[twiskman]

Thanks for the info Guy/AB. I am thinking that I will not likely limit myself to stream/creek/river fishing- Ft Peck Lake (as well as other resevoirs, and lakes) has reports of very nice lake trout, and salmon being caught in the summer months, and I just dont want to get to a point that I am landlocked, and have limited/no access to the prime spots. Thats the only real reason I was considering taking the yak. I was thinking the ATV for two reasons- scenic trail riding (if its available), and travel to fishing spots... but I see your point about the likelihood of my having to traverse private property in order to get to the water...

Is there a wader thats better than others? Are they warm, or do I need to include space underneath for base layers?

Are the better rod makers for spinning, casting (Loomis, St Croix, and the like) makers of good quality fly outfits?

This is all kinda overwhelming actually... Ive got a little over 2 weeks before I go, and I feel like I know next to nothing about the area I am going, or what I need to take with me...:D

[ab4usa]

OK Tim, you asked a couple of questions that I just might be able to answer. Waders happen to be a priority for me since my current pair are leaking like a sieve. Yes I am working on repairing them but also looking for a "tougher" set. A fellow I know who has bee fly fishing for years swears by Cabella's Guide waders. He says they are as tough as any he has tried and less expensive. All good indications to me. If the water is really cold or you plan to spend all day in it, you will want something warm underneath. Fleece is often a good shoice.

As for your rod question, yes G Loomis and St Croix make excellent fly rods. They will not be cheap however. I happen to subscribe to the St Croix brand and have 3 of them. The Avid line is the least expensive with a life time warranty and a very good rod. Can't speak for Loomis. At the levels below Avid, the rods are made off shore and have a limited warranty. I would think loomis is the same..

[JoshKaptur]

Tim, I had to get geared up for a Montana trip this past summer right where you are headed, and got some excellent advice on this board:

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/fly-fishing-anglers/241415-help-me-select-all-around-trout-rod.html

I also posted a report of our very successful trip - PM me if you'd like more details:

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/chesapeake-angler-original-board-maryland-angler/244983-where-ive-been-montana-wyoming-flyfishing-wildlife-report-lots-pics.html

[twiskman]

Thanks AB/Josh...

Josh- that is a pretty cool thread- and I remembered it well upon reading it again. It looks as if I will be able to borrow a rod from a buddy (Baldzilla)- apparently, he's been a closet fly fisherman for years, and I never knew it. So, it appears that he will help me save a couple hundred on using one of his. Hopefully, I will be able to replicate your success on my trip out there. Thanks again all!!!

[poppa whiskey]

Twiskman - Spent nine years in Augusta west of Great Falls guiding hunters and flyfishers in the Bob Marshall. There are many good tributaries coming off the front slope draining into the Missouri. All have some public access and private permission is not hard to get with a little homework and a gentlemanly request. The closest is the Sun River from Gibson Dam to Simms. If you can get permission on the Broken-O ranch west of Simms, you'll have 30 miles of private access.

The Teton to the north and the Dearborn to the south are within a reasonable drive. If you are willing to make a 90 mile drive (that's nothing in Montana) head west to Augusta and take the dirt road on west to the Benchmark trailhead. Good fishing at the end of the road in the Lewis and Clark NF.

Your ATV and kayak would be of little use. Detailed maps are necessary. Plan on walking and wading. 5 to 7 wt, floating line, elk hair caddis, adams, wooley bugger and hopper terrestial are all you need to start. You'll love summer and early fall in Montana.

Poppa Whiskey

[twiskman]

Damn Poppa... first post, and you came out with a whopper!! Thanks a lot! Thats the kind of info thats gained first hand, and cannot be found in a book. Thanks for the detailed info!

I am actually going to be staying in Conrad (which is a bit west of Great Falls), so I should be able to get into some of those spots you mentioned. Are these locations easy to find on a map? Or should I try to talk to some locals about them???

[poppa whiskey]

Tim - Conrard is about 60 miles north of Great Falls and is north of the area I am most familiar with. However the Teton river and the Dupuyer are considered good streams. Much of the area north of Conrad is Indian reservation, and special tresspass rules apply.

Best sources for detailed maps are online from the National Forest Service for public land, the Bureau of Land Management for private land, and of course the USGS 7 1/2 degree quadrangle maps are helpful anywhere. Most local sporting goods stores carry these maps, or can tell you where to get them. Local info is always useful.

You didn'd say when you are going out there, but spring fishing can be tough until after the snow melt water clears up. Guides don't really do much guiding until about July 1.

Poppa Whiskey

[twiskman]

I will be out there from 9 April through the first half of September... I really hope to be able to get into some fish prior to July though... I will go loco!!!

[goose70]

I was trying to determine what to do on my three-month sabbatical next year. I think this thread, and especially Josh's report, has me leaning very strongly towards a certain western state. Now to convince the wife and kids.

Thanks for the info.