The Hike:

My friend Rod Jude, who I stayed with while visiting Big Sky, MT suggested that I take a day off from fishing and go on a hike with him on one of the innumerable trails in the Gallatin National Forest.  This guy gets up at 5 am every morning for a 5 mile walk just to limber up. What was I thinking when I agreed to this hike?

Storm Castle Trail

So we packed a lunch, compass, water, bear spray, and GPS and off we went down the canyon in the car to the Storm Castle Trail head. (Bear spray??)

This trail is a medium hike of 5 miles, but what Rod neglected to tell me was that it is almost straight up the whole 2 ½ miles. Storm Castle is a rock outcrop on top of a mountain and from the canyon floor it looks formidable. The trail is a series of switch backs at a 20 to 30 degree incline that did not do my old legs any favors. Luckily this was Rod’s first major hike of the season and he was not fairing much better than I. On the way up you go thru several levels of forest as the accent is over 2000 ft with snow on the upper levels.

About half way up we paused for one of the many “catch our breath moments,” and to my right I saw a beautiful bird on the forest floor. When I later looked it up, it turned out to be a Hungarian Grey Partridge or Hun for short. I read that these birds were introduced to the area back in the 1990s, and are now thriving. This particular bird was prancing around with all its tail feathers fanned out – evidently courting some unseen female bird. Sheesh! The things us guys do to attract females!

Switchbacks

Rod on Storm Castle Trail

Finally, close to the top we entered a snowy forest and Thank God air conditioning because I was sweating by now and drinking lots of water.  The top was finally in sight. Rod sat with his legs hanging over the precipice like there was nothing to it. I on the other hand remained well back clutching on to a large boulder. The view from up there was spectacular; cars passing through the canyon below looked like toys.

We sat there for a good hour visiting with another group of hikers and having our lunch. Also joining us was a rather bold chipmunk and from his reaction to us I don’t think we where the first group that he joined for lunch. When I found a tick crawling on my neck we decided to head back down the mountain. Compared to the trip up the downward trek was a piece of cake, but the next day I was hobbling around on sore legs.

The peak at Storm Castle Trail

Steve from Bozeman sent me an email today with a terrific report and pictures from the opening day of the Firehole River in Yellowstone Park.  It was great to hear from him. Look at those rainbows!

Hi Vic,

I met you at $3 Bridge on the Madison.  This is opening day, Saturday May 29,  in Yellowstone Park on the Firehole River.  It snowed, hailed, and rained, but the fishing was great.

In the morning they were taking soft hackle pheasant tail and the afternoon a hatch of big #14 baetis came off.  This is my son using a 3 weight fiberglass rod he built.  Most of the fish were 8-12 inch rainbows.  Lots of bison, so you had to watch where you stepped.

On Memorial Day we floated the Missouri River from Craig to Mid-canyon and got some really big rainbows and browns.  They were going after San Juan Worms and baetis nymphs. This is my son and grandson.  Hope you had a good trip back to Maryland.

Steve
Bozeman, MT.

   

Fishermen on the Madison

The morning started out cold with temps around 30 degrees but was to warm up to 65 later in the day. I had decided to fish the Madison because the Gallatin had turned cloudy due to warmer weather and snow run off.

It was a perfect day for a trip up the road on Hwy 191 thru the Yellowstone Park to 287 toward Hebgen lake. This route borders both the Hebgen and Quake lakes finally running along the Madison river. One half of Lake Hebgen is still covered with ice but that did not deter the 5 or 6 boats out trolling for brown trout, also saw some fisherman trying their luck from shore.

Hebgen Lake

Stopped at a fly shop down below both lakes called the Slide Inn to pick up some flies and find out the best way to fish the river. John an employee at the shop was very helpful and seemed genuinely pleased to give me the low down on fishing the Madison After picking up a few flies and a new leader I was off to try my luck.

Madison River is wider than the Gallatin with open water surrounded by ranch land in a lot of areas, meaning that you are able to make back casts without ending up in the trees – in my case this was a blessing. Fishing this river is also different than the Gallatin in that you are often blind casting to the fish with the use of a strike indicator (a  floating marker 4-5 ft up from your fly). This lets you know when to set the hook .

Brown Trout on Madison

The trout in this river average 14 to 20 inches with the rare monster now and then. Also, the vistas from the river are amazing with the mountains as your back drop, this part of the country gives you a feeling of how lucky we are to have such beauty within our borders. Look at the pictures and if you need more information on this Blue Label trout stream send me an e mail.

Next up: I take a break from fishing and hike up to Storm Castle Rock, so stay tuned!

Bridge over the Madison River

Happy Hour Bar

Duct Tape - The Fisherman's Friend

Calling all Fishermen! I welcome all comments or photos about your own fishing experiences. Or, feel free to weigh in on mine. There’s a comment section at the end of each posting – click on the link to add the comment. Or, you can email me at vicbarothy@yahoo.com. If you’d like to send along photos, just attach them to an email, and I’ll make sure they get posted.

Rainbow on the Gallatin

Vic with Dinner

When I first ventured out on the river just down stream from where I’m staying it was snowing lightly. I thought to myself,  “Oh well another slow day,”  as the snow grew heavier. I opted for my fly rod and dry flies despite the weather conditions.

After the first hour and changing fly patterns 3 times the sun peeked out and the snow abated. Lo and behold a May fly hatch started, and suddenly rainbow and brown trout were rising everywhere. This kept up for several hours despite the snow returning.

I was able to land 12 nice fish and lose 2. These fish averaged 12 to 14 inches and were fat with eggs; this I found out because I kept 4 for dinner that night. Usually I only catch and release but a opportunity to have fresh caught trout for dinner?? They where delicious but I feel bad about the eggs, so no more keeping trout for dinner until after the spawning season. If you want recipes look in the food section of this blog.

The good thing about fishing in inclement weather is that often you are the only one on the river and have the fish to yourself. Stay tuned for my next report as I move on over to the Madison River.

Gallatin Rapids

I was in the local fly shop here in Big Sky, MT a few days ago replacing the flies I had left in the many overhanging branches along the river. The owner came over and introduced herself; we began discussing various fly patterns and weather conditions on the Gallatin River. One of her employees and a local guide came over and joined the conversation. When I explained that I also had a fishing blog things got interesting. 

They both recommended that I go over to the nearby Madison River for opening day as it is quite a spectacle with all the local fisherman lining the banks to catch the first fish of the season.

Things became even more animated as he explained that each year a group of  guys in their 70′s and 80′s bring their campers and stay for the whole season. These fine old gentlemen tie their own flies and jealously guard their personal patterns. They can often be observed in front of their campers tying these secret flies and when  approached the fly is discreetly covered. They will be civil, but you are not encouraged to hang around lest you get a peek of their special pattern and put it on Google!

I was also told that there a several fine drinking establishments in the area and that the beer flows as freely as the fish stories. And of course we all know that fisherman never lie. So get out there and wet a line!

View from a Fine Drinking Establishment

Vic in Yellowstone

The weather did not cooperate today as it had the previous day. Temps were in the 40′s and there were snow showers in the afternoon. The river conditions were windy so I got out my spinning gear (ultra lite) with a mepps spinner bait. Didn’t have any luck with this rig but I think the weather had a lot to do with it.

Views from the river are breath taking and there are lots of animals to see: elk, moose, fox, rabbits ducks, geese – no bears yet, Thank God!  and many types of waterfowl. Will be back out there tomorrow and hopefully the weather will be more cooperative.

Stay tuned for more pictures and fishing.

Don't Shoot the Geese

Gallatin River

Gallatin River, Montana

I was tired of waiting for the weather to warm up here in Maryland so I took off to Montana with my fishing gear to visit my friend of 40 years, Rod Jude.

The first night it snowed 5″.  But, after a couple of days, and armed with fishing license, waders, my 6 wt Orvis fly rod, net, and both wet and dry flies from a local shop – I was able to get out onto the Gallatin River, which is right across the road from Rod’s house.

On the first day out the river was running clear and I began looking for holes where the trout would be congregating. For the 1 st hour I used a large #10 wet fly with smaller #20 midge about 8” behind with split shot higher up on the leader. Fished the deeper holes this way for about two hours with no luck.

Towards the afternoon I noticed a May fly hatch starting and Wow did the fishing change. There were hungry trout rising all over the place so I quickly changed out to a May fly imitation and began casting to individual rising brown trout.

During the remaining afternoon I was able to land and release 5 nice size brownies 10” to 14” with one big guy breaking my leader and getting away with my favorite fly so all in all it was an exciting afternoon. After another trip to the fly shop will be out on the river again for more Montana fishing with pictures and stories.

Brown Trout

Another Brown Trout

Spring!  But, not quite yet. I’ve tested the waters, but despite the optimistic forecasts and balmy temperatures here in Maryland, the fish are not yet biting. Every fisherman has spring fever – including me. So, in the meantime, before the lakes and streams warm up and the fish wake up: clean the rust out of your tackle box, get the kinks out of your line, and start looking for the latest lures.

Went down to one of my launching spots for the canoe at Triadelphia Reservoir because according to the website it opens for fishing March 1. It’s 2 days until March 1. I saw a slip of water off in the distance, but… it doesn’t look like spring to me just yet.  However, it’s a good time to change the lines on my reels and prep for the upcoming season, and on March 1 I’ll be back there trying to get to that open water.  These fish have had a long, hard winter here in Maryland, and I’m sure they’re hungry.  Again: I stress I only catch & release.

Vic looking for Spring at Triadelphia!