FISHING - IN THE SNOW

WINTER FLY FISHING - MONTANA STYLE
By Jim Foster

The normal reaction for native a Texan spotting something on the highway to large to be a deer might just be a domestic cow. But no, it was a small heard of bison moving down the snow-covered road. It was mid March and I was driving through Yellowstone National Park.

Half an hour later it was still snowing at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Looking around at the large piles of snow with more falling by the minute I had to remind myself I had made this drive to do some fly fishing.

Lone Mountain Ranch (LMR) is one of the network of lodges and outfitters sanctioned by the Orvis Company, a name that can be traced back to jolly old England. The ranch had been selected as the Lodge of the year in 2002 and could boast the services of not one but two Orvis guide of the year winners - Gary Lewis and Brian Kimmel.

A short time later I met the rest of the group, Nicholas Richardson from New York City, Bob Borgwat from Suches, Georgia, and old friend and fellow photographer Donnie Sexton who handles Montana Travel’s public relations and is Montana’s staff photographer. This would be Donnie’s first fly-fishing experience.

The next morning dawned to more falling snow, 25-degree weather, and gray skies. Following breakfast we loaded our gear to begin the day. The driving had been tough with more snow and wind. However as we turned off the highway into DuPuy Spring Creek the snow slowed down and then stopped.

The creek is mostly on private property but many of the landowners allow fishing for a small fee. Many local guides will bring their customers there. We were told the majority of the trout over 12 inches were in the creek to spawn, so catch and release was the order of the day.

Gary Lewis offered his #2 weight fly rig and I gladly accepted. My first hook-up was a large rainbow we had been watching. On my third cast the trout made a wake in the shallow water and then tossed my fly. Many casts later the trout did feel the hook and after becoming airborne once made a hard run and relieved me of my fly and several feet of leader.

Down stream several hundred yards guide Brian Kimmel was coaching Donnie Sexton on the finer points of fly-fishing. Donnie had never fly-fished and much less caught a trout. Things were about to change.

Donnie and her guide Brian were casting below the falls in “Dick’s Riffle”. Brain coached her through her casts and coached her how to present her fly properly. In a flash Donnie’s #5 weight rod bent almost double as a trout did it’s best to stay in fast water.

Following her guides quiet and excellent instructions, Donnie brought her fish to net. Donnie’s first fish on a fly rod was a good one. Actually it was the best fish caught in two days of fishing. It had been a great trip.

If you fly fish, like a great time, and are looking for something a bit different give winter fly-fishing a try.

For more information on winter fly-fishing, guides, and the Lone Mountain Ranch contact; Lone Mountain Ranch Fishing Manager, Ennion Williams at 406-995-4644 or on the web www.lmranch.com.

The Big Sky Chamber at 1-800-943-4111 or on the web at www.bigskychamber.com.

Good Fishing and Dress Warm.