While we did not get high numbers of fish, we caught good-sized fish on the walk/wade outing. The next two days were slated for floating upper and lower sections of the south fork. Although the same river, the sections had their own character when it came to the Cutties. Hill figured that we see larger fish on the lower section, but perhaps not the numbers that we'd see floating the upper section. So combined, it looked like two great days of fishing. And once again Hill was spot on.
We launched from the SBR at a leisurely 9:30, and floated for about 8 hours. Once again, the scenery was unbelievable, and the water as clear (even in holes that went deeper than 50-60 feet) as the creek the day before.
We used the same tandem flies as before. Casting was not too difficult; we rarely had to make a cast longer than 15 feet. The drift rafts proved very comfortable than the drift boats that we fished from on an earlier Montana trip. We fished deeper runs along the banks, and long pools. I suppose Hill was right and wrong. We did not catch numbers compared to the float on the upper section. But a 30-plus fish day ain't that bad, particularly when we caught a good number of fish that went bigger than 15 inches, including three doubles
There were two highlights from this float. The first was during our third double for the day. Mary and I were fighting trout, when all of a sudden one of our trout jumped and kind of skittered on top of the water. Hill noted that Cutthroat weren't normally jumpers. but when we saw a large gray shape broach the creek we knew what was going on. A Bull Trout that Hill estimated went at least 26 inches was sharking our fish. We got both fish to the boat, saving them from an untimely death.
The second highlight was at the end of the float. Casting against a rock ledge, I missed a nice fish, but on the second or third cast the trout gave in and took the fly. You could tell by the fight that this was a good fish. At one point it made a run for the boat, and I had to swivel myself from one side to the other to keep the fish on. But I finally tired the Cuttie out, and he/she went a good 18-19 inches, and as thick as a football.
The second float went as Hill had predicted. Mary decided to chill at the lodge, so I was primed to get some numbers, and also break out the Tenkara if the opportunity presented itself. During the first half of the float we netter 30 fish, mostly "SNIT"s" (Standard Nine Inch Trout), but a few 12 inchers thrown in for good measure. After lunch we decided to give the Tenkara a try. It was far more challenging fishing the rod from a raft. First, you're only able to cast out about 12 feet or so. The second challenge is getting the fish to the boat. Since standing was not in the picture, I had to really lean the rod back to get the fish close enough for Hill to net. The smaller fish were relatively easy. The few fish that went over 12 inches (including a 15 incher that I caught on an actual Tenkara fly), proved a lot more challenging.
There was a third challenge to fishing a Tenkara from a boat that I discovered the hard way. We were fishing a pretty productive and deep run, but it was getting late. I had my flies in the water, and looked away at my watch, only to hear Hill yell SET!!! I reflexively set the rod, and caught sight of a huge fish heading deep. There wasn't enough time for Hill to maneuver the raft to keep up with the fish, and I was slow to try to get the fish turned, even if I could have. Unlike fishing creeks, in a big river big fish have places to go. And when you only have 13-14 feet of line and tippet, if the fish wants to go, you're gonna lose the fly.
At the end of the float we had netted 45 trout; not a bad day in anyone's book. Once again Hill was phenomenal. He knew where the fish were, skillfully put us in the right positions, and put up with our occasional tangles and misses. It sounds cliche, but we felt like we were fishing with a friend, which made our stay at the Spotted Bear Ranch a trip to remember.
Pro tip: the Flathead River is the only place in the lower 48 where you have the chance to tie into multiple Bull Trout. The fishing begins after the run off, when the river gets about 2-3 feet of clarity. Although difficult to pinpoint, the fishing usually picks up after July 4th. Fishing is with 8 wt rods tossing big streamers. Unfortunately, the Cuttie fishing doesn't get good until the water clears and levels drop, around mid to late July.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
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