Fishing Montana

"If you’re thinking of traveling to Montana in the near future, this book is a must-have." --American Angler The best places and times to fish Detailed maps and hatch charts plus top producing fly patterns with recipes Local guides and outfitters on techniques and tackle Whether you want to target trout sipping Tricos on the Missouri, pack in to the South Fork of the Flathead for a wilderness adventure, or simply find a good spot to fish while on a vacation to Glacier or Yellowstone National Park, this guide is the best place to start for a successful fishing trip. With stunning photos, detailed maps and hatch charts for each river, photos and recipes of the most effective fly patterns, and insider information from local guides and outfitters, Montana's Best Fly Fishing is an essential reference for the best fishing in Big Sky Country.

From world famous waters like the Madison, Missouri, and Yellowstone Rivers to local favorites like the Beaverhead, Big Hole, and Gallatin Rivers, these incredibly comprehensive maps will lead you to the best fishing Montana has to offer. Official access sites are clearly marked including GPS coordinants, along with boat ramps, campgrounds, and roads and trails that allow additional access to every stream. River miles, public and private land, and a wealth of other useful information for anglers is also included. Book jacket.

The authors, Brian and Jenny Grossenbacher, guided Oprah and Gayle King on the Merced River in California. This book shows you their home waters of Montana. From the Yellowstone River to the Boulder the Grossenbachers guide you through their beautiful home state. Learn where and how to fish Montana - a fly angler's mecca. Fly Fishing Montana gives you a quick, clear understanding of the essential information you'll need to fly fish the state's most outstanding waters.

Rock Creek is located 25-east of Missoula, Montana off Interstate 90. Rock Creek headwaters originate from three-Mountain Ranges. The North Fork of Rock Creek and the West Fork of Rock Creek originate from the Sapphire Mountain Range. The East Fork of Rock Creek and the Middle Fork of Rock Creek originate from the Anaconda Mountain Range and the Anaconda – Pintler Wilderness Area. The Upper Willow Creek originates from the John Long Mountains. There are numerous small streams flowing into Rock Creek on its journey north to its confluence with the Clarkfork of the Columbia River. In the 1980’s Rock Creek contained roughly 2,000 Rainbow Trout per mile of stream in the lower 28-miles of Rock Creek; from Gillies Bridge downstream to the mouth of Rock Creek. In the 1990’s the Rainbow Trout population in Rock Creek plummeted to just 300 Rainbow Trout per mile of stream. This drastic decline in the Rainbow Trout population was caused by Whirling Disease and by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks decision to halt the stocking of Hatchery Rainbow Trout into the East Fork of Rock Creek Reservoir. To this day there has been no significant increase in the Rock Creek Rainbow Trout population. However, the Native Westslope Cutthroat Trout population in Rock Creek has rebounded somewhat to fill the void of lost Rainbow Trout population. Also the non-native Brown Trout population is on the increase. The Rock Creek fishery consists of native Westslope Cutthroat Trout up to 24-inches in length, native Bull Trout up to 36-inches in length, native Mountain Whitefish up to 24-inches in length, non-native Brown Trout up to 26-inches in length, non-native Rainbow Trout up to 24-inches in length and non-native Brook Trout up to 14-inches in length. Important Entomology And Forage Fish on Rock Creek are: Stone Flies: 1. Skwala (Skwala parallela) March – April (Size 8-10-12-14) 2. Salmon Fly (Pteronarcys californica) May – July (Size 2-4-6-8) 3. Western Big Golden Stone (Calineuria californica) May – August (Size 4-6-8-10-12) 4. Western Medium Golden Brown Stone (Isoperla sp.) June – September (Size 4-6-8-10) 5. Little Yellow Stone (Alloperla pallidula) June – October (Size 12-14-16-18) 6. Little Olive Stone (Alloperla delicata) May – August (Size 12-14-16-18) 7. Winter Stone (Capina sp.) January – March (Size 14-16-18) May Flies: 1. Western Black Quill (Rhithrogenahageni) March – April (Size 12-14) 2. Early Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis tricaudatus) March – April (Size 14-16-18) 3. Late Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis parvus) June – November (Size 16-22) 4. Little Western Blue-Winged Olive (Ephemerella margarita) July – September (Size 16-22) 5. Western Green Drake (Drunella grandis) June – July (Size 10-12) 6. Pale Morning Dun (Ephemerella inermis and Ephemerella infrequens) May –September (Size 14-16-18) 7. Small Western Green Drake (Ephemerella flavilinea) June – August (Size 14-16) 8. Western Leadwing (Isonychia sicca) June – July Size (Size 10-12) 9. Dark Gray Quill (Ameletus connectus) May – June (Size 12-14) 10. White Winged Black (Tricorythodes minutus) July – October (Size 18-20) 11. Midges (Diptera / Chironomous) Caddis Flies 1. Grannom (Brachycentrus occidentalis) April – May (Size 12-14-16) 2. Green Sedge (Ryacophila sp.) April – October (Size 10-12-14-16) 3. Great Gray Spotted Sedge (Arctopsyche grandis) May – August (Size 8-10-12) 4. Little Tan Short Horn Sedge (Glossosoma sp.) June – August (Size 14-16-18) 5. Spotted Sedge (Hydropsyche sp.) July – October (Size 12-14-16) 6. Little Plain Brown Sedge (Lepidostoma pluviale) June – August (Size 14-16-18) 7. Giant Orange Sedge (Dicosmoecus sp.) September – October (Size 6-8-10-12) 8. Spruce Bud Worm Moth July – August (Size 10-12-14) Forage Fish 1. Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdi) Year Round (Size 3/0-2/0-1/0-2-4-6-8) 2. Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) Year Round (Size 3/0-2/0-1/0-2-4-6-8) 3. Black-Nose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) Year Round (Size 3/0-2/0-1/0-2-4-6-8)

Anyone who fly-fishes Montana—or plans to—should own a copy of this useful guide. Fly fishing expert John Holt has compiled a complete inventory of Montana’s fly-fishing waters, moving across the state, drainage by drainage, devoting plenty of space to the main river of each watershed as well as the many tributaries, small streams, reservoirs, and alpine lakes that frequently get left out of other guidebooks. The maps are large and easy to use, and the fishing descriptions cover seasonal variations, river conditions, and preferred fly patterns. Also included are travel suggestions, river access, etiquette and rules, and a hatch chart.

“His presentation of the what, how, when, where and why of the sport is eloquent in the clarity and precision of his writing. He provides a wealth of practical information, embellished with personal observations, and quotes from past masters.” -Richard Robinson, Master professional golf instructor, author, and fisherman “This book is an excellent resource for beginning anglers, and a very entertaining read even for those with decades of experience on the water.” -Justin Witt, International outfitter, guide, contributor to “The Flyfish Journal” ________________________________________________________________________ With fifty years of fly-fishing experience, Al Simpson has written an engaging book about fly-fishing for trout. It is packed with information helpful to anglers of all skill levels. Insights are frequently presented through a streamside experience. Topics include getting started, equipment, casting, trout feeding behavior, flies, reading the water, presentation, and seasons. He also discusses controversial topics like etiquette, stocking, and restoration of native trout. The work is richly enhanced with over 200 color photos and line drawings. It joins the short list of must-reads for trout anglers. The author began fly-fishing in 1962. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and has fished the mid-Atlantic’s trout streams extensively. Summers have always included fishing in the northern Rockies. Now retired from the University of Virginia where he practiced and taught cardiology, he and wife Ginny spend their summers in Montana. They frequently travel to trout venues about the globe. A lifetime member of Trout Unlimited, he served as vice president on Virginia’s state council. He works part-time for Orvis as a fly-fishing retail specialist, and teaches fly-fishing. Local sports clubs frequently invite him to speak and conduct fly-fishing clinics. An avid blogger on all things related to fly- fishing for trout, he has an international following.

Montana offers a wealth of outdoor fun for the active traveler, from skiing and snowmobiling to fly fishing and horseback riding. With stunning scenery and colorful history, the state is one of the most appealing in the US. And the best part: it's rarely crowded!