From the banks of the Missouri River in Craig, Montana – The Headhunters Fly Shop.
Jack fished the Missouri recently and spent a little time in the Headhunters Fly Shop. He enjoyed the owners, Mark Raisler and John Arnold, the staff and all the shop had to offer.
If you get to Craig, be sure to check them out!
145 Bridge Street
Craig, MT 59648
(406) 235-3447
The Bitterroot River was up due to run-off so they fished the Big Hole for a few days and then went over to the Missouri. It pays to be flexible. Beautiful scenery, great food in Wise River at the Wise River Club, nice lodging and food in Craig Montana and they caught fish. Not too many photos were taken but you get the idea.
Jack guided with the raft on the Big Hole and drift boat on the Missouri to optimize where they could catch fish. He hadn’t seen Phil in quite a few years and has always enjoyed fishing and spending time with him. It was a pleasure to see him again and meet his good friend Mike (pictured to the left in a photo from Phil’s iphone).
See a few more photos from Jack’s camera in the slideshow below.
Text from Jim: (Thanks Jim for sharing!)Here are a few pictures from Garry’s and my fishing trip earlier this week. On Wednesday, it was overcast and cool in the morning and then sunny and bright in the afternoon.
1. Palomino trout feeding at Benner Springs on Spring Creek.
2. 13 inch brown I caught on size 18 tan caddis on Spring Creek. I caught another one just like it moments later.
3. Garry landing 15 1/2 inch brown trout on same tan caddis on Spring Creek.
Garry and I fished Spring Creek at Benner Springs from 10 AM until 2 PM. Garry caught 2 fish on bead headed nymphs earlier in the day.When the caddis hatch was out there were lots of trout feeding . But it did not last long and then nothing. In the afternoon we fished Spring Creek at the McCoy Dam just outside of Milesberg. We fished from 4 PM until 7:30 PM. We each lost a fish as we were landing it. Then just as we were about to leave there was another caddis hatch and I caught 2 brown trout, 12 inches and 10 inches. Garry had stopped fishing. On Thursday we fished Penn’s Creek at Cheery Run.
4. Garry fishing Penn’s Creek.
5. Penn’s Creek at Cherry Run. We fished from 9 AM until 11:30 AM.
The entire time we fished, fish were rising and feeding. We tried every fly we had and never got a strike. There was a caddis hatch most of the time.The men below us caught one fish and then gave up. It is a beautiful spot with lots of fish. Tough to wade!!!!!! See the rocks in the pictures. Take your stick if you go!!
Jim
The weather finally warmed up and we got some rain in western Montana. This brought the Bitterroot River up but the Big Hole river, in its beautiful high elevation valley, was fishing.
Last weekend was a beautiful time for fly fishing and camping and the Knick family took advantage of it with Jack. See the slideshow for more photos.
Billy Burk is a good friend and fishes with Wapiti Waters as often as he can with his buddy Jeff (who lives here). Billy stays in close touch and sends us photos from time-to-time. Here are the most recent ones.
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| From Big Fish spring 2010 – Billy Burk fishing a high-park reservoir in Colorado |
It’s been very Windy here this year too. I took a day off for my Birthday on the 5th, and went to a High-park reservoir at a spot where you have to hike in for a couple miles. Ice off, and opening day did not happen till May 1st this year (very late). I had to fight the “W” for most of the day from straight-on, and my right boot (wader) had sprung a new leak. I stuck with it though; as the fishing was Great! I landed 22 fish, all but one were in the 3-4 lb class; Whoo-Hoo! They were taking a red Ice cream cone- Chronamid pattern that I tied myself. The only way it could have been better, is if I had someone there with me to share the experience.
Wish I was coming this year again to see you! Will make a concerted effort next year!
Please tell Jack I said Hi. Will keep you up to date, especially after the Rogers’ visit here next month.
Take care, and I hope your fishing season is an awesome one!!!!!
Billy
Thanks Billy, we will see you next year! Merle and Jack
Jack took me, Merle, fishing the other day. When we have time, we try to get out and fish together. I don’t row the boat except in slower pike water — there are too many hazards and I am just not skilled enough yet. So, when Jack fishes, we pull over and wade fish. On this day, we had plenty of opportunities, plenty of hatches, plenty of fish and maybe a little too much “W” (wind). At the end of the day, we were really glad we braved the cold temperatures and fished the beautiful middle Bitterroot. After all, it is our “backyard.”
See the slideshow for more photos.
