REMEMBER: It is not always all about the fish. We who have chosen “the great out-of-doors” in which to make a (meager) living have done so because the experiences, the rewards, the sights & sounds, the non-mainstream individuals that we associate with. read more →
This week I decided to leave the Helena/Craig area and head over to the upper Madison river close to Yellowstone Park. I brought all the rods I own (from 4 weight through 7 weight) and I ended up fishing the 8′ 4wt Orvis Superfine Touch rod more than any other. When delicate presentations with smaller.. read more →
A quick local guy and caddis fly story here. The other evening I headed upstream to fish between the dam and the bridge for a while. I hoped to see some rising trout to cast to. I looked around a while and tried to make a plan. As it turned out the water was very.. read more →
The grin on Taylor’s face says it all. One still frame, commemorating a beautiful fish, on a perfect evening, might be all we have to look back on. However, as most troutbums know, each fish carries with it it’s own unique story, fueled by the frustrations and elations that go hand in hand with dry.. read more →
Just got off the Smith River on Wednesday and I’ll launch again Saturday. I’m not sure if my laundry is going to dry between trips. Not a problem, I love the smell of sweat and campfire smoke from a Smith River trip! I’ve been guiding for Mike Geary of Lewis & Clark Expeditions for the past.. read more →
We’re all pretty spoiled as anglers on the Missouri: huge hatches, large fish and relatively light angling pressure during the evenings make it one of the best places on the planet to fish. Even though we have thunderstorms projected everyday for the next week, the fishing should only get better and better. The key is to find.. read more →
It’s a feeling unlike any other. While difficult to explain to the unknowing, the tug and run of a broad-backed buck rainbow is a feeling that one will soon not forget, and after a trying maiden voyage on the Mo, Josh and crew were determined to step back into the ring. The line tightened.. read more →
A little taste of a Missouri River rainbow trout to get you through the work week. This big ol’ fish took a worm fished deep along a nice soft inside seem down in the canyon section. read more →
Mid-April on the Missouri Bill and Ed here sipping some JOE on this wonderful morning here in Craig, Montana, the birds are out and the trout are eating. The flow out of the Holter Dam is at 7,240 cfs with the water temperature hovering around 41 degrees. Today’s high will be 59 F and wind coming.. read more →
In case you haven’t heard, Montana received a lot of snow this winter…and we’ll probably get more this spring. As of April 12th, the Missouri River drainage is at 129% of average for precipitation…and it’s snowing as I write this. As a result, the all-knowing folks who operate the dams have bumped up the flows.. read more →
