Go trout fishing in montana

There is something about fishing for trout that reminds me of my favorite vacations. Nothing is quite as relaxing and mentally stimulating at the same time. I'll never forget my first image of what fly fishing for trout is really like. The movie “A River Runs Through It” takes place in Montana. It follows the lives of two brothers who fly fish their local streams in Montana with their father. It was not long after my father took me to see that movie that we took our first trip out west. Being from Florida, I loved being on the open water and fishing for Red Fish or Snapper with a spin casting rod and reel. Having done this most of my life, I was intimidated by the images I had seen on the big screen. I was not sure I could learn a new art of fishing that looked so fluid.

Montana is a wonderful state that is about as large as California and has 1/30th of the population. I had never seen such wide open spaces. Wintertime skiing in Montana had been my only experience out there, and it was a completely different experience. We stayed in Big Sky and traveled all around that area in search of the best spots. Luckily we had a native Montanan with us who had fished the state since childhood. He knew every hot spot like the back of his hand. All I had to do was learn the new art of fly fishing.

We set out to a prairie that had a river on it that meandered like something you've seen on a postcard. This was after the three mile hike in from the road that started with a sign reading “Beware of grizzly bears”. To start out, I had loaded my line with a Mepps lure so that I did not have worry about bait while I practiced. To cast you let out a couple of feet of slack and also hold a couple of feet of line in your free hand. Wave the rod forward and back with mainly just your wrist, you get the feel for the weight of the rod and the line. While doing this you just search the opposite bank for some still water. Trout love to wait in the still water for food to pass by with the current. Then you simply cast just upstream from the still inlet that you spotted releasing the extra line that is in your free hand to extend the cast. By letting the current do the work you can dangle the lure near the hole to entice the trout. It takes less time than you think to master fishing with a fly rod and you quickly learn that finding the right spot is the difficult part that comes with years of practice.

Fishing with a fly hook is not much different, but floats on the water. It can get frustrating and first and if you find your self with an empty creel, just ask a local where Loveland Pass is. This is a small lake that is stocked with trout. It's got a great view of the mountains and it is just off of the highway. It's a local secret and you can catch as many fish as you desire.

The basics of fly fishing getting it right

You take the time to get into just the right location in that great stream that your friend told you about. You have been waiting for so long to enjoy this time, alone, fishing to your heart’s content. There are many amazing moments in life but fly fishing is one of your favorite. You’ll get into the waders, getting into just that right location so that you can cast.

The tip of your rod should be in the four o' clock position with 20 feet (6 meters) of line extended beyond your rod's tip. Trap the line between the rod handle and your index finger. To begin the back cast, bend your elbow, raise your forearm and move the rod tip from four o'clock to eleven thirty and lift the line from the water. Pause for a moment at this point to allow the line to extend behind you before casting the rod forward. Allow the rod to follow through as the line extends to its full length in front of you. Then continue to work the line in this manner. A fish strikes. The fight is on and you successfully land the fish. This is fly casting.

Fly fishing is an old method of angling. It was primarily developed to catch trout and salmon. Today, it is still used to fish these species, but is also used to catch bass, carp, pike and a wide range of saltwater fish. The difference between casting and fly fishing is that in casting you use the weight of your bait, sinker and bobber to propel your cast. In fly fishing, the weight of the line propels your line forward and puts your fly into position. The fly cannot do this, as it is essentially weightless. The goal in fly fishing is to present the fly gently and to always be in control of it.

When you fly fish, you need special fishing equipment that includes a fly rod and reel, a special fly fishing line and artificial or live flies. These are tied onto your hook with feathers, fur, thread or other materials in colors and sizes that represent natural prey. The key to successful fly fishing is balance. The rod, reel and line, as well as the tippet all have to match in order to have a positive fly fishing experience.

Rod, Reels and Lines

Fly fishing rods are lightweight and long. The line provides the casting weight and is heavy. It can be of differing density, depending on whether you want the fly to sink or float. Line is matched to your rod by weight. Look near the fly rod butt to find out what line weight must be used. Graphite rods are best because they can produce any action that you wish to use. If you are a beginner, buy a basic and moderately priced rod, or borrow one from a family member or friend.

Flies and Leaders

Flies weigh very little. The fly is usually attached to the line by a leader that is two to three meters in length (6 to 9 feet). The leader often tapers to a fine end. This is called a tippet. Tippet size range from 8X, which is the smallest, to 0X, which is the largest. Tippets are set in units of .001 inches. To match the tippet to the fly, you must subtract from eleven and multiply by .001.

For example to find the diameter of a 4X tippet, you would subtract four from eleven. That equals seven. Now, multiply by .001. This size would be .007. What if you have a # 18 fly? How would you calculate tippet size? You would put eighteen over four and calculate. The answer would be 4.5. Since there is no 4.5 X tippet, you would move to the next largest size, which would be 5.

Types of Fly Fishing

There are two types of fly fishing - dry and wet. Wet flies are fished beneath the water surface and are divided into several types, including live wet flies, lures and nymphs. Dry flies float on the water surface and are coated with a substance called, 'floatant' to make this possible.

If you are interested in fly fishing and can't decide which equipment you need to have a positive fishing experience, ask an experienced angler for help. This can be a family member, friend, someone from the local angler's club or a staff member of the local fly fishing shop. Fly fishing is not as hard to learn as it appears to be. Have fun and enjoy that big catch.

The best way to enjoy your catch is to take the time to enjoy the many wonders that the fishing experience offers. No matter what that first adventure turns out to be, you can make it amazing by spending some time learning the skills from an experienced fisherman.

The one that got away on the green river

Fly fishing can be a surreal experience mending the soul of any person. That is, until you have to deal with the one that got away!

The One That Got Away

I’ve battled the crowds, seen the masses of fish in the crystal clear water, and been skunked by the some of the most educated trout around on the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam. On a float trip last fall, I experienced the true meaning of …The One That Got Away.

This fight and escape was like no other that I have experienced in my 10 years of fly fishing. This fish was not just big, but the most aggressive and determined trout I have ever seen!! It was a picture perfect moment; I spot a large rising fish on the left side of the river about 50 down. We row into position. I make the perfect cast and my drift is right on target. Suddenly, the fish comes almost completely out of the water.

Now you are probably thinking, big deal, what makes this the ultimate one that got away story? It’s not the size of the fish or even the amount of time the fish was on, it’s all about the angler.

Moments before my fly drifted over this fantastic fish, a dive-bombing Osprey snagged him out from under me nose, or more accurately, the nose of my fly! Maybe their eyesight is not quite as good as I thought, because this bird chewed off way more than he should have!

It was a perfect snag, both talons sunk into the back of the fish. The bird was able to pull the fish almost completely out of the water with a few extremely labored flaps before he went down. Yep, the Osprey was completely dragged under by the heavy, powerful and extremely determined fish.

Amazingly, the Osprey surfaced still clutching the fish and made another attempt to conquer the beast. Dragging the fish half submerged across 10 feet of river, the bird was once again almost completely submerged. Again the Osprey surfaces, well, almost surfaces. Only one wing comes out of the water and flaps frantically. One had to wonder who was having who lunch!

Unbelievably, it started to look like the fish was going to roll the Osprey under it. Sure enough, the fish came over the top and was partially in the air while the Osprey was completely submerged under it! The trout made a vicious twisting movement and the Osprey apparently thought oxygen was a better meal. It let go of the trout. The soaking wet bird laboriously returned to a nearby perch for a well-deserved rest.

We all stared at each other in complete shock. Now that is one hell of a One That Got Away story!!