Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Rolling Thunder Adventure


Well, I'm back!  Oh, you say that you didn't know that I went away???   Well, after fishing with a bunch of sheep last week, I decided that it was time to head up to Montana to meet up with my favorite finned friends.  And there were so many to greet me!  I love it when the word gets out.  And if the weather would cooperate... we would be in business.


The weather forecast was kind of questionable.  That is why I didn't know if I was going.  And the barometer wasn't looking too favorable either.  But, I took my chances and decided that Montana fishing on the off days is still pretty darn good.  For three days, it was mostly cloudy and about 29.92 on the barometer.  Just couldn't get it to rise over 30.


But, none the less... the brown trout party was on!  I was a little worried that there would be the Memorial Day crowd.  But, there really wasn't anyone around, except for the usual drift boats that would come through and ruin a good thing every hour or two.   I would just wave and ask how their day was going.  Then, reel in my line and find a new stretch that wasn't in their path.



The first day brought a brown trout in every 15 min, so I instantly could justify my driving all the way up there.  Ha.  Mission accomplished!  It was already worth the five hour journey.  The clouds would threaten rain, but wouldn't deliver.  Yet.


The second day had a little more blue sky and sunshine.  Could we be maybe coming out of the grayness for awhile?  Time would tell.  I just went about my business and looked for trout.  A little bit slower than the previous day, but still enough in the net.  I was enjoying the sun upon my face... until...


Now wait a minute, here!  Where did my blue skies with fluffy clouds go?  A dark sky quickly settled in.  I did have my rain gear just in case.  But, what I wasn't ready for, was the wind that came blasting across the water.  I could see that this was going to get ugly very quickly.   So, one more cast and I would be heading back to the car.  Boom...Crackle...Boom!!!  Great.  Now we have a thunder and lightening show and I'm holding onto a fly rod.  Oh sure... a fish on.  And of course it had to be the big boy of the trip to make me wait longer than usual to bring him in...


Good ol' Mr. Whitefish...


Grip, Grin, and Run!!!


Day Two was over.  Well, it was 6 pm anyway... 
But, that brisk walk back against the fierce rain, thunder and wind of 25 mph was something else!!!  I am an adventurer, but sometimes it's nicer to be inside.  = )  Howard might have something there...


Day Three was going to be a short two and a half hours.  So, I wanted to pick a new spot of water, but the right spot of water.  I had been scouting the river from the dam downstream about ten miles for the past couple of days.  The fly shop had said that closer to the dam was the hottest fishing, and I hadn't even tried that yet.  So, bright and early... I drove to a section of water that I had seen other fishermen standing in a row.  Ahhh... no one was there.  Perfect. 


 All I can say is that I stood virtually in one spot for two hours.  I don't think that I have done that in a very long time.  But, that is how good it was!  I only moved about ten feet either way at the most.  What a morning.  Browns and rainbows.  Gorgeous trout!    Did I really have to go home?





I kept saying, "just one more", then I will leave.  
The alarm had gone off.  It was time to go home.
The barometer had made its way to 30.02 with partly cloudy skies.
I had hit the low, the thunder, and the high of the barometer.
All was well.

13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Kevin. It was sure a lot of fun.

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    2. I hope to check out that river in July.

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    3. Note: If you are fishing by drift boat, you will be ok. Wading will be more difficult until late summer, early fall. They told me that it could be running around 800 cfs in June/July. Yeah, I'm ready to go back too!

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  2. RD
    It is hard to give up "that one more cast" when your next trout landed could be the one of a lifetime. I still dream of this place and haven't given up on my trip there. When and if I can make it I will give you shoot you an email. I am sure the nymph was the fly of the day there--dead drifting or indicator? Enjoyed the post!!

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  3. Bill - How can you give up when you have lost several twenty plus inch fish that have splashed off the end of your hook? I knew what was in there.. Yeah, I was kicking myself. Lessons learned though. : )

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  4. I was at the Beaverhead this weekend as well! I agree, the fishing was great. There is a post in the works over at Bum Trout. You know, I was driving the high bridge road on Saturday when I spotted a rig with Utah plates and a Troutrageous sticker, (among others) on it. I thought, hmmm what are the odds that's the River Damsel? I guess it was. Small world. Tight lines.

    Bob Prince
    aka "Bum Trout

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    Replies
    1. Well, dang! I would have shared the best run on the river with you. I couldn't stay as long as I wanted to, for sure! Yeah, that T! sticker was even put on by the man himself last year in Wyoming... Don't be shy next time... : )

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    2. And word to the wise...When fishing with other bloggers, be sure to have their sticker planted somewhere... T!'s other sticker was fortunately on my fly box. He was gracious enough to give me a replacement for the car. : )

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  5. First, not a good idea to use your fly rod for a lightning rod (I figured you already knew that, but I thought I'd remind you). Second, nice bunch of trout. Third between you and Bill Trussell, I think I might need to get a portable Barometer. There seems to be something there.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I had to bring the rod with me... I just held it low to the ground. But, thanks!! The barometer readings are working pretty accurately so far. On a trip, you really don't have much choice but to fish. But, when home, I can choose the better days if I want to.

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  6. Well, what can I say, I'm a homebody. Looks like another successful trip for the wandering damsel. Where will she light next?

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