hoppey holidays

Thanks Brian!

fly fishing film festival tickets now available

This is the Fourth Annual Fly Fishing Film Festival. Thank you so much to the film makers, vendors, and attendees for making last year's fly fishing festival a great success. This has enabled us to think bigger for this year with more suppliers, more space, the latest hip fly fishing movies and more.The film festival is managed by the Missouri River Fly Fishers (MRF), a non-profit fly fishing organization focused on conservation and education. The MRF supports the efforts of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers and raises money to protect the water systems we fish, and educate new fly fishers on the fundamentals of the sport.

Purchase Tickets Here

10 dollar lift ticket this weekend in case the mo is froze

Just in case this weather holds and you can't get your rod guides to unfreeze. Showdown has got a deal for you this weekend.


Canned Food Drive December 12, five non-perishable items of food get you a $10 lift ticket.

who remembers steffens on this trip?

trout bum spring break

Here's the original crew. While most of our buddies were drinking mexican cervezas and staying out past their bed times...us guys were tippin drift boats over glaciers on the big hole..sleepin' in the dirt... playing guitar way too late and tying flies under the head lamps. Just glad to not have any classes to go to.

Otter Creek Coal Rally

Otter Creek Coal Rally
Host:
Montana Environmental Information Center
Type:
Causes - Rally
Network:
Global
Date:
Monday, December 21, 2009
Time:
8:00am - 9:00am
Location:
State Capitol- Helena, MT
Description
MEIC, Sierra Club, Northern Plains Resource Council, Northern Rockies Rising Tide, and Montana Conservation Voters will be hosting a rally outside the State Capitol in Helena before the State Land Board Members vote on leasing 1.3 billion tons of coal contained in Otter Creek Coal Tracts. This is the most important decision the Land Board has faced! Leasing this coal will mean that 2.5 billion tons of CO2 will be released into the atmosphere. Private property, valuable wildlife habitat, and water quality will be threatened. Attend the rally before Land Board members vote and tell them to SAY NO to leasing Otter Creek Coal!

Montana Blue Ribbon

The Bighorn River, recently featured on the Drift, is one of my favorite blue ribbon rivers in the state to fish. The river sits right below the Yellowtail Damn and flows directly into the Yellowstone River making it fishable year round. I personally think the best time of year to fish the river is in February and March. The weather on the river is always unpredictable, and river is usually empty besides the few locals and die-hards. You can have days in February that are 55 degree and the sun is shining and then 2 hours later have it be 35 degrees and snowing. You have to be prepared for everything that time of year.

The river produces amazing nymph (stones, san juans, sow bugs, etc), dry (midges) and great streamer action in the middle of March. Unfortunately the river sits right in the middle of the Crow Indian Reservation so wade fishing is limited. The best way to access the best parts of the river are from a drift boat.

The river holds thousands of rainbows and brown in the 16” – 20” range. Every now and then might even land the 23”er. So if you are over by Fort Smith take a few day off and see what you can do.

a winter statistic...

98% OF AMERICAN’S SAY "OH SHIT" BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM MONTANA AND THEY SAY, "HOLD MY DRINK AND WATCH THIS!"

right: walleye on the fly Jan. 1st 2008 on the Missouri River...pretty weird but the largest walleye I've ever caught. Cornfed and the rest of the crew were there watching on the bank

10 Montana Hatches Not to Miss

When I'm not chasing trophy browns with my 8wt streamer setup, here is a list of places around the state you're likely to find me (not including hopper fishing thats for a different blog):

1. Skwala hatch on the Bitterroot and Clarkfork Rivers: This is the first major hatch of the year on the west side of the divide and nothing is cooler than watching huge fish blowup on your size 8 olive stonefly. Its definitely no secret though, with people from all over the world coming to Missoula for their shot at big fish on big dries. The fishing pressure doesn't seem to matter though, because these fish are just waking up from a long winter nap and are eager to eat any well presented pattern you have in your arsenal. Look for fish to be lined up on the rockier banks. Its seems that the skwalas prefer rocks to crawl out on and hatch more than anything else.

#2 Mother's Day Caddis on the Madison River: This too is the first major hatch for this river system that really gets the fish's attention. Yeah they have decent baetis and midge hatches before this, but nothing compares to Mother's Day caddis hatch up here. There are literally blankets of #14-16 dark-bodied caddis flies on the water. They're everywhere. They're on the bushes, all over the boat, they cover your body, get in your mouth, in your eyes and ears, and especially are all over the water. This is a really fun time of year to be on the Madison.

#3 BWOs on the Mo: Again, this is the first and last major hatch for this river and with it

some of the largest fish in the state to the surface. If you can hit this on an overcast day with little wind, you are likely to catch some of the biggest fish you have ever seen eat a dry fly. From the dam all the way to Cascade will produce fish, but the section I tend to favor is around Spite Hill. It is not the easiest of hatches though and requires a well presented fly with nothing larger than 5x tippet.

#4 Salmonflies on Rock Creek: After run-off has peaked and the flows begin to stabilize and clear, a magical time that only last for roughly two weeks begins on Rock Creek, the Salmonfly hatch. When you hear about this hatch, its always the Big Hole or the Madison you here people talk about and more rarely do you hear people talking about Rock Creek. Well that doesn't mean the secret is not out about this river because it definitely is and has been since I've started fishing it six years ago. This river sees a lot of angling pressure during this time of year, but still produces with #4 dries on average much better than any other in the state. Its a numbers game up here though with the size of fish averaging in the 13-17" range with the occasional fish over 20". Fishing from the boat is unquestionably the way to fish this hatch and requires some experience on the sticks.

#5 Green Drakes on the Blackfoot and Bitterroot: This hatch is very hit or miss, but if you

hit it you are likely to have a day or two that you will never forget. Last year I was wade fishing the Blackfoot on the lower reaches and ran into this hatch of #6 giant green drakes. It was easily the best day of fishing the BF that I've ever had on dries, which totaled out to be 33 fish, all on drakes. Most of the fish were in the 12-14" range but several were around 17" and the biggest was a 22" cuttie. The same goes for the Bitterroot, although the hatch seems to be more intense on the upper sections of the river around Darby. Certainly a hatch to fish for anyone who likes to fish big dries.

#6 Golden Stones on the Big Hole: To many, this is considered a secondary hatch to the world renown Salmonfly hatch that hits this area every early summer. But I have found that a fish will almost always take a Golden dry over a Salmonfly on this river. Even more so, I have seen/caught big fish coming to the surface to eat a #8 golden catpuke amidst the shittiest of conditions. I'm talking gail-force winds with sideways rain. Again, if you like to fish big dries, this is another hatch not to miss, but don't expect to have the river to yourself.

#7 Summer caddis on the Mo: This is probably the most dependable hatch that the Mighty Mo sees year in and year out. It begins with the Mother's Day hatch (usually with a two week break after the M.D. hatch is done) and ends with October caddis in October. Even during the warmest months of summer the caddis hatches remain intense and for that brief period right before dusk, you can find some of the best fishing to be had in the state. There have been too many nights after work that Sam and I have fished these hatches and I can honestly say it is some of the easier Missouri River dry fly fishing to be had (just ask Troy Robinson).

#8 Spruce Moths on the Gallitan River: This is one of the more hit and miss hatches in the area, but if its a good moth year this river should definitely be on your to-do list. The moths begin to hatch in the mid-summer up here and last through august. Fishing the canyon section is by far the most productive for this hatch as the Spruce Moths dwell in heavily wooded areas (hence the name right). A #12 or 14 light colored elk hair caddis is all you need for this hatch. Drag it through the buckets and pools (the moths are really erratic when they're on the water) and you will have a sick day.

#9 PMDs on the Beaverhead (I know KK was waitin for this and is pissed b/c of its low ranking): This is one of the more dependable hatches on the Beav. and its angling pressure shows for it. I have only fished this hatch three times over here, but each time has left me wanting to come back for more. It is amazing the size of fish that are in this river that at first glance appears to be an irrigation ditch (the average size fish on the Beav. is around 20"). This is also some of the toughest fishing I have ever done. I have had more fish come up and refuse a well presented #16 sparkle dunn on 5x fluoro. than anywhere else in the state and if you do hook up it doesn't mean you're gonna land it. The Beaverhead is a pretty cool stream that I think demands more respect than its given.

#10 October caddis on the Blackfoot River: This is probably the most exciting of all of the hatches to fish, but its window of opportunity is so short-lived that it lands in the #10 spot.

big bugs begin to appear around mid-september and are a primary food source for fish throughout the hatch, which makes fishing a skated #6 orange stimi chew toy worth while. The hatch is river-wide, but the majority of larger fish taken are on the mid to upper sections of the river.

There are many more great hatches that take place around the state of Montana, these are just a few of my favorites.

Urban Angling

With the economy being up and down (mostly down I guess, but what would I know I'm just a fish bum/college student) a lot of folks aren't able to get out as much and enjoy their favorite stretch(es) of water. This summer I was really busy with school and found myself with little time to devote to my favorite stretches of water which drove me to explore uncharted waters (for me) within the city of Missoula.

To my surprise I was able to find a variety of different water that held different species of fish all within the city limits of Missoula. I was able to find stretches of water that fished well on dries (caddis and mayflies mainly), on nymphs, and on streamers. I also found a lot of areas that fish well for pike, both on topwater and underwater patterns. So when you're faced between the decision of not fishing because your favorite water is not an option because of money or lack of time and fishing new, uncharted urban waters, choose fishing uncharted waters that are closer to home...you might be amazed with what you find

great falls fly fishing film fest

The Fourth Annual Fly Fishing Film Festival will be Next January 2010. Thankyou so much to the film makers, vendors, and attendees for making this year's fly fishing festival a great success. This has enabled us to think bigger for next year with more suppliers, more space, the latest hip fly fishing movies and more coming your way for 2010. So get you flicks finished for next years festival!

The film festival is managed by the Missouri River Fly Fishers (MRF), a non-profit fly fishing organization focused on conservation and education. The MRF supports the efforts of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers and raises money to protect the water systems we fish, and educate new fly fishers on the fundamentals of the sport.

Tickets and information our available at our local fly shops. We encourage youto support the local fly shops when fly fishing the water near Great Falls. If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can make our festival better for next year we would love to hear about it

Wanted films:

All films will be screened by the film selection committee. Films should be documentary or artistic in nature; how-to films are discouraged. For all selected films, entrants will be notified of selection prior to showing. The Great Falls Fly-fishing Film Festival reserves the right to cancel the festival due to insufficient entries.

The Great Falls Flyfishing Film Festival aims to promote the continuation of flyfishing film production by encouraging audience members to purchase films seen at the festival. Please feel free to provide information about how and where your film can be purchased.

Submit your video here

gf tribune mo river update

Great Falls Tribune - Novemver 10, 2009.

HELENA — The Missouri River's reputation as a world-class fly-fishing destination got a boost Monday with the release of a report that populations of large trout continue to climb in the blue-ribbon fishery.

For the second consecutive year, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries survey on the Missouri found that the number of large rainbow and brown trout between Holter Dam and Cascade are up.

State biologists this fall found 3,458 rainbow trout longer than 10 inches near Craig. The long-term average of rainbows that size for that section is 2,917.

"The rainbows in the Craig section were remarkably high quality," said Grant Grisak, FWP fisheries biologist. "About 85 percent of the rainbows were 15 inches and larger, and fish in the 18-inch length group alone represented 24 percent of the total population."

The largest rainbow sampled was 4.8 pounds.

In the Pelican Point section of the river, just upstream from Cascade, rainbow trout were estimated at 1,577 fish per mile, which is higher than the long-term average of 1,494 rainbows per mile.

According to Grisak, 64 percent of the rainbows in the population were at least 15 inches long.

Brown trout populations in the river also are up. The spring estimate of brown trout in the Craig section was 584 per mile; the long-term average there is 578. In the Pelican Point section, spring browns were estimated at 611 per mile — higher than the long-term average of 358.

The 2008 survey estimated there were 1,126 brown trout 10 inches and longer per mile, more than twice the 22-year average of 554 brown trout per mile.

Biologists don't actually count all the fish in the river when they perform the survey. Instead, they electro-shock the water in an area, then count, tag and release the fish. Two weeks later, they repeat the process and use the ratio of tagged to untagged fish to calculate an estimate of the trout population per mile.

Brown trout populations are sampled in the spring and rainbow populations are sampled in the fall.

The report's findings didn't surprise 26-year Missouri River fishing guide Pete Cardinal, owner of Missouri River Angler in Craig.

"That's what happens when you add water to a Montana river. The fish like it. There's more habitat, more food, more space and greater survival," Cardinal said. "It's probably a real reflection of great habitat conditions from the last two years of great water levels."

Trout numbers are healthy throughout the stretches of the river that were surveyed, according to FWP. Additionally, Missouri River anglers reported good fly-fishing for larger rainbows during the late summer and early fall.

Cardinal said he has been guiding on the Missouri since 1983, and he has never seen healthier looking fish than this season.

"The most noticeable difference is the quality of the fish. They're just larger than they've been," he said. "People are really happy with the quality of the fish, and the fish really fight hard. They're so healthy that they just really tear you up when you hook them."

Grisak said Cardinal's observations are consistent with the number of large trout observed during the population survey.

The situation wasn't as rosy on one of Montana's other world-class rivers. According to FWP's findings, trout population estimates in the Smith River show numbers continued to trend down over the long term.

In the Eagle Creek section of the Smith River — a couple miles downstream of Camp Baker — the number of rainbow trout longer than 8 inches was estimated at 371 per mile, which is consistent with a short-term trend, but below the long-term average of 527 such fish, Grisak said

Brown trout in the same section were estimated at 270 per mile, which is less than the long-term average of 315 fish per mile.

"Higher water flows and lower water temperatures in the Smith River this year should provide relief to future trout populations, especially in the wake of a nine-year drought experienced in central Montana," Grisak said.

can't get over this one

this brown that Chad Ellis caught on the Gallatin trumps about 90% of all hero shots ever posted on any blog or site i've seen.

31" out of the Gallatin River...that's ridiculous if you have been to the Gallatin.

I know there are bigger browns caught in Alaska and New Zealand...Tierra Del Fuego... or the rare stonefly hatch brown/rainbow eat's some large rubberlegs. HOWEVER, this tank was caught winter streamer fishing and even more Ellis is a Great Falls boy representing our fly fishing style. No fancy hat... no $2000 rod and reel package... tied the streamer himself.

Last night at the Skyline bar I announced him the MJ of Montana fly-fishing for this one (mighta been holding a glass when I said that, sounded cooler last night). Another product from the MO river training grounds of GF. This is plenty enough initiation to the Mofia.

...if you don't believe it...there is a second picture with a tape measure next to the fish...a Stanley tape measure.

in to the backing

Here is the teaser for the first major 406 productions movie by LG. LG, Agee, and the rest of these guys are keeping things alive, so support what they are doing. It may not be your traditional instructional or documentary flick... it's way sicker. These guys fish the Mo hard and know it as well as anyone.

paul helping me row for the relatives..colt 45's

Meet paul. Nope, that's not a sports drink in his hand...it's beer. Not just any beer. It's a Colt 45. Most of you all probably didn't even think that brand was around any more. It is. Another wonderful thing about the fly fishing in Great Falls is the Ulm gas station. If you fish the Mo often and you haven't had numerous "bad for you" meals at this pump station...you're lying. They have ice cream, fried chicken, white chocolate caramel cappacinos (I don't know how to spell that), jalapeno corn dogs, and much much more. They also have Colt 45 16oz 6packs for 2.99 on occasion, which is a perfect start to any amateur guide day. Paul and I guided two lovely ladies and boated so many fish we stopped counting...but we never count past 9 or 10....depends on how many Colt 45's you can drink warm...coolers are for organized people.

Mo Root - short video from last month

Great Falls Flyfishing Film Fest 2010

Great Falls Flyfishing Film Festival in 2010 has a new web-site started...

check out the new site and get involved in this growing festival.

Great Falls Film Fest 2010

...there's gonna be drinks there