Billings, Montana

Big Sky Trout Flies

             When I started tying flies, I was recommended “Fly Tyer” magazine.  It’s a very well put together magazine that teaches people of all ages how to tie very easy to very difficult flies.  It also has many great articles about what’s working or what’s going to work in the future and how to tie them.  It’s a seasonal website, so if you’d like to check it out, please go to… http://www.flytyer.com/, and sign up today.

             I went mountain fishing in the  Custer National Forest on the West Fork of the Stillwater past Stillwater Mine on a trail head.   Once you get up past the mine, it becomes major white-water rapids and waterfalls.  But it does flatten out in some places.  These fish just about bite on any attractor pattern, especially on bees, hoppers, and lime trudes.  These fish were just tiny 8”, yet beautiful brook trout, (I have seen bigger on that stretch of water).  It almost seemed like they wouldn’t go after anything but my fly.  The only problem is that they are so small that even with a 4 weight, you ’helicopter’ them into the bank when you set the hook.  You hike up about 2.5 miles to get a real slow moving piece of the river.  I tried to cross to the other side of the river, but half-way I was up to my armpits, and I’m 5’9”.  But once I got across, it was a fish every other cast.  It’s a really neat place, and I recommend it to not just fly-fisherman, but hikers too.    

             Hey, had a great trip on the Smith.  Caught lots of fish on Orange Stimulators and Woolly Buggers.  The Smith River Box has definitely changed now.  Lots more flies.  I probably lost a whole section of my box from all the flies I lost.   Dead-drifting and stripping Woolly Buggers is the way to go.  Make sure to have a little bit of flash on those ‘Buggers, whether it’s a bead or cone head, or just some strips of flashabou.  The most fun is on the surface, though.  The golden stone hatch is going on, so go dry.  Any dark orange body pattern or yellow foam body is working.  Catching fish anywhere from 10-18”, and some fat ones too.  I caught a nice 18, but it had the weight of a 20+”, yet you may not believe me, (There’s no photo documentation of it, just 5 other witnesses).  Most of our fish had to be 18” + or –.  Around that area. 

If you have any question or comments about the story or anything on the website, please email Jeff at grizfan_94@yahoo.com 

 

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