GSF Articles

GSF Montana Trip

By David Johnson & Sandi Jacobson

Fall fishing in Big Sky Country is the total package. You can hook into big trout on a variety of patterns in renowned rivers such as the Bitterroot and Blackfoot, either floating or wade fishing. Take your pick, it's all about excellent fishing in beautiful country. This GSF trip to western Montana on Sept. 26-Oct 1 capped off a year of many memorable club-sponsored trips. Our group for this one included Rod Hendrickson, Dave Johnson, John Wohlfiel, Sandi Jacobson, Marty Reed and Mike Stevenson, and what a trip it was. The pictures tell the story, but don't tell the important part: that Rod had this trip completely dialed in and did a good job organizing it. We had the best guides the area has to offer, great fishing, beautiful scenery and accommodations that rivaled a Hilton once you shut your eyes (OK, so it was a Motel 6 on I-90 west of Missoula).  In any event, the emphasis of this trip was on fishing and food.  The group got together for every meal and had a great time telling stories. We made a number of trips to the nearby Montana Club restaurant for breakfasts and a dinner.  Thursday evening was the Depot and Saturday at the Mackenzie River Pizza CO.


We flew into Spokane (bargain airfare from San Diego) and carpooled over to Missoula. It's about a three hour drive, following the Clark Fork for quite a distance in Idaho.  Dropping over Lolo pass into the Missoula valley, three rivers spread out before you--the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot and the Clark Fork. All good fishing, not to mention the local creeks that feed the rivers.
On Thursday we made our way to Grizzley Hackle to pick up our Montana fishing licenses before heading up to wade fish in a local favorite: Rock Creek.   We started out fishing an area known as "the micro burst". This stretch of the creek had been leveled by a violent storm years ago that cleared out the trees, leaving the rock outcroppings exposed over deep pools. After lunch we decided to move down the river, but we didn’t make it very far before finding a really nice stretch of water with large boulders and more good holding spots.  Dave caught his first fish of the trip a 4 inch rainbow.  One of the few caught that day.


On Friday we met our guides at Grizzley Hackle and split into three groups for our drive to different stretches of the Bitteroot. We all caught fish--mainly rainbow and cutthroat in the 17-20" range with a few browns and more than a few whitefish. Mahogany duns and nymphs were the go-to patterns, with some action on hoppers and BWOs.


That evening as we were recounting the day's experiences, we ran into some other fly fishers from San Diego.  Marty worked diligently at recruiting them for the club but they were a little reluctant.  We didn't seem that rowdy.  Maybe it was the presentation. Be sure to ask Marty about this the next time you see him.


On Saturday, after scraping the ice off the windows of our car, we drove to Grizzley Hackle to meet our guides.  Marty went back to the Bitteroot.   While Dave and Sandi fished the Blackfoot where Dave caught the monster of the trip, a 31" Bull trout on the guide's tackle using a reel with no drag.  The drag malfunction definitely made the experience more interesting.   The fish was caught on a 2" sculpin.  As many of you know, bull trout are listed as a threatened species. They are something to behold, especially of this size. We were impressed how carefully our guide handled the fish and how quickly he got it back into the water. Shortly after that excitement, we spent 6 or 7 minutes watching a trout rise across the river.  Sandi then made a cast to drift the fly right over the cut's nose and he took it.  It was truly a memorable moment made all the more special when you consider the cast was made on the favorite river of Norman Mclean.


On Sunday, after the requisite trip to Grizzley Hackel we picked up Idaho fishing licenses and made our way to the Lochsa River.  After several stops to check out the river, we settled on a really nice stretch of water.  While the fish weren’t huge they were nice 12” to 14” trout and the fishing was really interesting.   Much of the fishing was in water with riffles so it seemed almost impossible to put the fish down.  Three hatches came off within a couple of hours and the cuts holding in the foam line couldn't resist a BWO, a tiny sulfur dun or a large caddis pattern floated over them. 
This trip is a definite do-again so plan on Montana for next July.  We have already begun planning for next year. ?