June 14, 2014
One of the major attractions for outdoor sportsmen and women in Montana is our “blue ribbon” fisheries in conjunction with our stream access law. When I first moved to Bozeman in 1978, I was amazed that you could get in a boat and float down the rivers to fish. And as you floated you did not run into barbed wire fences and barriers across the rivers. We did not have to “pay attention” to who owned the land. We just floated and fished. You just floated along and threw flies, lures or bait near the shore and caught trout and whitefish. It was and is unbelievable fishing and access quality.
If you didn’t have a boat, you could also go to access points and get in the water and wade-fish up and down stream as far as you wanted. I quickly learned the Madison and Yellowstone rivers near my home. Now from time to time I move to other rivers to see “whatsup” with them. Last year it was the Missouri which provides big time fishing for hundreds if not thousands of anglers.
Four days ago one of Diane’s and my floating and fishing buddies called and asked if we would like to go for a few days on the Big Hole. We were available and said, “Yes.”
Our friend was anxious to see if his recent back surgery was “good to go.” It had been six weeks since he had two vertebrae fused and pressure points cleaned out from too much physical abuse in his younger years. He and I are both now on Medicare, and we don’t heal as fast as we used to, but he was ready to try out his new back. It worked fine for him.
So Tuesday morning we met at his house at 7:00 a.m. He took his truck and his raft, and we were in our truck with our camper. You may wonder why I’ve lived in Montana for 35 years and never floated the Missouri or the Big Hole. My answer is, “I’ve been too damn busy.” Between work and play, there was no time left. But now that I’m retired, it’s time to expand my experiences.
The drive was around 125 miles from our homes to the public campgrounds and put-ins on the Big Hole. What a great floating and fishing river! The public campgrounds around Divide and Melrose were nearly full. The salmon fly hatch was starting around there. So we went further upstream. We found a State campground that was nearly empty and took two spots. Since we are over 62 years old and have valid MT fishing licenses, our camps cost us $3.50 each night.
I know I shouldn’t be posting all this easy, cheap public “fun” on a blog, but the word is already out. There are plenty of nonresidents who come to play and many have chosen to stay. The number of anglers and hunters has grown significantly in my 35 years here, but I don’t let it get in my way of having my own fun. Things change, but Diane and I peg the fun meter. Just ask our kids and their kids!
To mitigate the resident versus nonresident conflict and crowding issues, the fishing regulations on the Big Hole are very unique. For most days of the week, there is a stretch of river that is open to residents only. Guides and nonresidents must fish other parts of the river. On some days nonresidents can join the residents, but guides are still forbidden on that stretch of the river on that particular day of the week.
We used these regulations to our advantage one day and sure enough we saw only one other boat that day. This was my first fishing under these rules, but I would like to see them expanded to the Madison and the Yellowstone.
Anyway, in three days and two nights we covered 44 miles of river, not floating anything twice. We caught dozens of fish on Panther Martins and big dry flies with pink San Juan worm droppers. A good time was had by all and we now have the Big Hole on our short list.
Remember that to maintain this quality fishing experience we must have the habitat to produce and maintain healthy populations of trout. We must also have access to enjoy our sport and we must have the political and financial commitment to maintain and improve both.
Here are some pics:
Diane with a trophy whitefish.
One of my browns on a fly.
Friend Mike and me at camp.
Another brown on a fly.
Mike's raft awaiting our arrival.
Mikes rig and Big Sky country.
Still lots of snow in the mountains.
Frost on everything and steam on the Big Hole each morning.
Two fresh brook trout for breakfast.
If you want a little cabin along a Montana Blue ribbon river, you have to compete against individuals mostly nonresidents who can build homes like this one which is a little ways down stream of where Wise River flows into the Big Hole:
One of the major attractions for outdoor sportsmen and women in Montana is our “blue ribbon” fisheries in conjunction with our stream access law. When I first moved to Bozeman in 1978, I was amazed that you could get in a boat and float down the rivers to fish. And as you floated you did not run into barbed wire fences and barriers across the rivers. We did not have to “pay attention” to who owned the land. We just floated and fished. You just floated along and threw flies, lures or bait near the shore and caught trout and whitefish. It was and is unbelievable fishing and access quality.
If you didn’t have a boat, you could also go to access points and get in the water and wade-fish up and down stream as far as you wanted. I quickly learned the Madison and Yellowstone rivers near my home. Now from time to time I move to other rivers to see “whatsup” with them. Last year it was the Missouri which provides big time fishing for hundreds if not thousands of anglers.
Four days ago one of Diane’s and my floating and fishing buddies called and asked if we would like to go for a few days on the Big Hole. We were available and said, “Yes.”
Our friend was anxious to see if his recent back surgery was “good to go.” It had been six weeks since he had two vertebrae fused and pressure points cleaned out from too much physical abuse in his younger years. He and I are both now on Medicare, and we don’t heal as fast as we used to, but he was ready to try out his new back. It worked fine for him.
So Tuesday morning we met at his house at 7:00 a.m. He took his truck and his raft, and we were in our truck with our camper. You may wonder why I’ve lived in Montana for 35 years and never floated the Missouri or the Big Hole. My answer is, “I’ve been too damn busy.” Between work and play, there was no time left. But now that I’m retired, it’s time to expand my experiences.
The drive was around 125 miles from our homes to the public campgrounds and put-ins on the Big Hole. What a great floating and fishing river! The public campgrounds around Divide and Melrose were nearly full. The salmon fly hatch was starting around there. So we went further upstream. We found a State campground that was nearly empty and took two spots. Since we are over 62 years old and have valid MT fishing licenses, our camps cost us $3.50 each night.
I know I shouldn’t be posting all this easy, cheap public “fun” on a blog, but the word is already out. There are plenty of nonresidents who come to play and many have chosen to stay. The number of anglers and hunters has grown significantly in my 35 years here, but I don’t let it get in my way of having my own fun. Things change, but Diane and I peg the fun meter. Just ask our kids and their kids!
To mitigate the resident versus nonresident conflict and crowding issues, the fishing regulations on the Big Hole are very unique. For most days of the week, there is a stretch of river that is open to residents only. Guides and nonresidents must fish other parts of the river. On some days nonresidents can join the residents, but guides are still forbidden on that stretch of the river on that particular day of the week.
We used these regulations to our advantage one day and sure enough we saw only one other boat that day. This was my first fishing under these rules, but I would like to see them expanded to the Madison and the Yellowstone.
Anyway, in three days and two nights we covered 44 miles of river, not floating anything twice. We caught dozens of fish on Panther Martins and big dry flies with pink San Juan worm droppers. A good time was had by all and we now have the Big Hole on our short list.
Remember that to maintain this quality fishing experience we must have the habitat to produce and maintain healthy populations of trout. We must also have access to enjoy our sport and we must have the political and financial commitment to maintain and improve both.
Here are some pics:
Diane with a trophy whitefish.
One of my browns on a fly.
Friend Mike and me at camp.
Another brown on a fly.
Mike's raft awaiting our arrival.
Mikes rig and Big Sky country.
Still lots of snow in the mountains.
Frost on everything and steam on the Big Hole each morning.
Two fresh brook trout for breakfast.
If you want a little cabin along a Montana Blue ribbon river, you have to compete against individuals mostly nonresidents who can build homes like this one which is a little ways down stream of where Wise River flows into the Big Hole:
