Yesterday I decided to change things up,rather than book a shuttle and float I wanted a little more solitude that only small intimate creeks offer.It was going to be about only having one Fly-Rod with me and a limited amount of gear.. compared to the 3 -4 rods and reels that I take while fishing from a Drift Boat.
A friend had suggested I fish a little creek that flows off the Rocky Mountain Front.I had to swear to secrecy of course,fair enough and if I go back I will be alone.Following the “code” thus respecting the wishes of person who turned me on to this gem.
The hour drive out was nothing short of stellar,Montana was showing off Her natural charm,with rolling short grass covered Foothills ending when they hit the Rockies.Each view was dramatic to say the least.
Once at the Creek I formulated my plan,fish down with streamers then work up with a Dry-Dropper Rig.Fishing my way downstream I started to feel sorry for myself as nothing was really happening.I fished the water hard working the fly tight to the undercuts with only a few bumps,but I kept going,thinking that love would be in the next pool or run.
There where enough P.M.D.’s on the water to get the fish looking up I thought.However there where no rises.I switched up to a Dry Dropper rig with a Chubby Chernobyl as the top or indicator fly and a B.H. Pheasant Tail underneath.
Maybe the trout will eat the Chubby for a Damsel Fly as there where plenty around.The P.T. should imitate P.M.D.’s nymphs which the truth surely must be feeding on.Still Nothing.
Like my setup my tactics changed,I would circle around a likely looking spot,and fish upstream,still casting tight to the undercuts and working the drop offs where if the trout where feeding on nymphs they should be holding.Still nothing,then I met Ass Kicker.I Cast up to the top of a bucket as the Chernobyl drifted down a golden flash flew out of an undercut and crushed my fly,then handed me my butt.Maybe I was on to something?
I continued downstream,walking below holding water then fishing up with no-results.Then the Sun started to drop and the Caddis came out,perhaps that’s what they are eating ? I re-rigged to a Caddis Pupae and a smaller Chernobyl,then started to fish and walk upstream,focusing on the Pools I had not covered.
I cast up to the head of a small pool, the Chubby drifted down and stopped,I set and a 16 inch Brown Trout went ballistic as they do in such confined water,at last I had figured it out.I scanned the next pool,sure enough a fish was feeding close to the tailout this Brown ate the Dry Fly.He was a good 18 inches,putting on the same show as the last.Jumping and digging into the weeds,putting a deep bend into my four weight.
I could see or hear enough fish rising to the Caddis Flies,I changed the Pupae pattern to a Parachute Caddis and now with my new found confidence worked each pool.The rewards where there,each pool I fished that seemed void of trout earlier now produced 1-3 strikes,mostly Browns with a couple of rainbows thrown in.Magic I thought and typical behavour of Browns everywhere.
I worked my way up to the home of Ass Kicker and sure enough he was actively feeding on Caddis Flies.I sat and watched him,checked my knots then waded into the creek so Iwas down and across from his feeding position.He ate the Caddis on the second drift,jumped and ripped off downstream of me.A good look of the 20 inch + Brown is all I got.A perfect way to end a excellent day on this creek.
