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Since 2001 I have had the
pleasure of traveling to Missoula, Montana each September to fish the
streams which Lewis and Clark first explored in their search for the
northwest passage. My host Flip Jennings and I usually toss in a new
river each year. After keeping these locations to myself for eight
years, I would like to invite you to join me this September as we experience
Montana after the summer crowds dissipate, but while the fish are still
highly active.
 Our
trip will start in the Missoula area floating the Bitterroot, wade fishing
Rock Creek and a creek so secret that we just call it Trout Creek to confuse
everyone. We don't rule out the Clark Fork as well, though a 2008
clean-up operation of a logging dam upstream of Missoula has changed that
river for several years. We will be staying overnight at the Dunrovin Ranch
nestled along the Bitterroot near Lolo, where Lewis and Clark took the
misguided advice of Old Toby and got lost in the snowy mountains. In
our pursuit of west-slope cutthroat, rainbows and browns we can expect to
enjoy the variety which the Missoula area offers.
Midweek we will proceed over the continental divide to the Jefferson and
Madison watersheds. Fishing with reowned fly tyer Dan Deletka and his
guides, we will find ourselves chasing the browns and rainbows along the
so-called "50-mile riffle" of the Madison, as well as the Bearverhead and
the canyon of the Big Hole.
We carry many of Dan's fly patterns in our shop already and will have even
more available for this trip.
If you like what you see, I hope we can receive your commitment soon, as the
guides in this area have a fairly short season and need to know our
headcount sooner versus later.
One extra note: I have a couple more rivers on this list than we have
time to spend fishing. As a result there could be some minor changes
to the river list as I consult with the Montana guides and shops.
September 12 - 20, 2009
A brief summary of our itinerary as it stands now:
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Sat September 12, Day 1 – Fly
into Missoula from various origins
Spend first night at comfortable
Dunrovin Ranch on the Bitterroot River near Lolo.
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Sun September 13, Day 2 – Wade fish a
local stream on our own which we like to keep so low key that we just
call it Trout Creek (not it's real name) and don't mention it in
print. While we will technically be unguided on this day, local
friend and storyteller Flip Jennings and I will be checking on
everyone. So anyone who is nervous can hang close to one of us.
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Mon September 14, Day 3 – Float on Bitterroot
River with guides not far from the Dunrovin.
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Tues September 15, Day 4 – Wade Fish on
the famed Rock Creek - off water in time to travel to overnight
at lodging near Melrose on the Big Hole.
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Wed September 16, Day 5 - Float fish with guides on the Big
Hole. Comfortable lodging again at Melrose on the Big Hole.
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Thurs September 17, Day 6 – Float fish with guides on the
Beaverhead. Travel after fishing to Cameron, to overnight at Beartooth.
Dinner en route.
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Fri September 18, Day 7 – Float fish with
guides on the Madison. Dinner and overnight at Beartooth.
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Sat September 19, Day 9 – Am travel to
Bozeman. Currently have day booked at a private spring creek
fishery on the East Gallatin near Bozeman.
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Sun September 20, Day 10 – Return to
airport, travel home
Trip
price: $3100
Deposit $1000 reserves your spot;
balance
due Aug 1.
Included: Lodging and meals from Day 1 through Day
9.
All guided fishing trips. Transfers to & from airport.
Not included: Airfare; Gratuities for guides;
alcoholic beverages; fishing licenses.
Rainbow
taken on a dry in gin clear water near Missoula !
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Bitterroot cutthroat
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Dunrovin Ranch on the Bitterroot River
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A typical Rock Creek brown
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Guide Dan leads us to a pod of rainbows on the Big Hole! |
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