| How to catch trout
The expert angler produces trout from a seemingly empty pool,stream or river like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
The beginning fisherman has no idea how to do likewise.The best way to accomplish being a good trout fishermen is to make friends with a good trout fisherman.You need to be taught what to do and what not to do,and an explanation for each.
A beginner who is taught by an expert will catch bigger and better fish than your average fishermen.What is even more important is a beginner under proper guidance will soon learn enough to give them a good start so they can keep on learning.
I have witnessed this aspect by watching a person fish a good hole and not get a bite,so they leave disappointed,and sometimes quit fishing.
I can fish behind a person hole for hole and catch trout they couldn't.The catch is knowing what trout are feeding on at that time of year.
Joining a Sportsmans Club or taking lessons at a tackle shop can also help.
Many fisherman have their own methods of catching trout,however the instructions in this article will enable the beginner to do a reasonable job in trout streams anywhere.
Good Luck... Now for a great recipe on; Potato Pan Fish You can use any white meated pan fish,such as Bass,or crappy for this recipe. Mix fillets with one tablespoon yellow mustard. One cup potatoe flakes Teaspoon pepper 1 cup milk 1 cup flour 1 tsp.salt cooking oil Mix milk and mustard in a bowl and soak fillets in the fridge for 2 hours. Mix dry ingredieants in a large bowl and dredge fillets
Fry in oil until a light golden brown and fillets are floating
Better make plenty because these won't last long....!!
Habits of Trout
Before a novice gets into the process of trout fishing,he needs to learn something about the finny creature they are pursuing.
Most trout live in shady areas with gravel and boulders on the stream bottom.
Trout like ripples and pools.They also like cool water,usually above the 2000 ft. elevation.
Stream trout feed primarily on aquatic and insect larvae,crustaceans,mollusks,land insects which have fallen in the water,and to some extent on smaller fish.
In most streams aquatic insects and insect larvae form the bulk of the food chain,with the Caddis worm the most common single item.This creature is the larvae of the caddis fly.Most caddis fly larvae live in cases composed of bits of wood,sand grains,etc.These cases are quite conspicuous and abound in most trout streams.The fish eat the worm case and all.
Trout food is most abundent under stones,logs and other obstructions in rapid flowing parts of the stream.The trout itself is a fast water feeder,which means it is usually in or near fast water.and a good hiding place.
I acknowledged this example by fishing in the out flow of a small lake,which was full of logs and rocks.By letting my bait drift under the logs,I caught 8 Brookies in an area no wider than 6 feet and fished no farther down stream than 40 feet.
In a large stream trout might be in the open riffle,if the water is not to fast,but is apt to be where a boulder breaks the current.The fish may be under a bank or in the deep water at the head of a pool.Where ever it is it will be watching the fast water and waiting to grab whatever the current brings.
In a small brook the fish will be most likely at the upper end of the pool for safety watching for food to flow in.No matter what stream the fish will be facing the current.In an eddy the fish may be facing in any direction,so be careful when approaching the hole,as not to spook the fish.
You may see trout in the middle of a quiet pool,just laying on the bottom,not really hungry and tends to move away from all food offers.The odds of this fish surviving another day are great.
I have fished streams like this and by trying different food sources,have caught these loafing trout.One food that trout love are Grasshoppers.They usually appear around July and August.
In Flyfishing basics; In fly fishing, fish are caught by using artificial flies that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line. The fly line (today, almost always coated with plastic) is heavy enough in order to send the fly to the target. This is one of the main differences between spinner and bait rods, which use heavy weight on the line to cast lures, bait, etc. Artificial flies can vary dramatically in all morphological characteristics (size, weight, colour, etc.). Artificial flies are created by tying hair, fur, feathers, or other materials, both natural and synthetic, onto a hook with thread. The first flies were tied with natural materials, but synthetic materials are now extremely popular and prevalent. The flies are tied in sizes, colors and patterns to match local terrestrial and aquatic insects, baitfish, or other prey attractive to the target fish species. Not trout but pike and bass in photo. Unlike other methods of casting line rather than lure. Non-flyfishing methods rely on a lure's weight to pull line from the reel during the forward motion of a cast. By design, a fly is too light to be cast, and thus simply follows the unfurling of a properly casted fly line, which is heavier and more castable than lines used in other types of fishing. The angler normally holds the flyrod in the dominant hand and manipulates the line with the other close to the reel, pulling line out in small increments as the energy in the line, generated from backward and forward motions, increases. The mechanics of proper rod movement are commonly described as "10 to 2", meaning that the rod's movement on the forward cast is at the 10 o'clock position (12 o'clock is rod straight up, 9 o'clock flat forward, 3 o'clock flat backwards) and the backcast at 2 o'clock. In proper casting, loops of line unfurl completely before the angler throws his rod in opposite direction. The effect resembles sending a wave along a garden hose to remove a kink. Newer casting techniques promote minimal wrist movement, a very open stance and movement of the arm parallel to the ground, discouraging the rigid boundaries of the 10 to 2 technique. Proper casting, regardless of technique, requires pauses in both directions (forward and backward) to allow the entirety of the line to unfurl parallel to the water's surface. As additional line length is desired for farther casts, the angler allows momentum generated by the forward and backcasting to carry slack line previously pulled free from the reel to glide forward through the non-dominant hand without bending the wrist. Flyline speed and orientation in three-dimensional space, in both the forward and back cast, yield a tighter or looser unfurling of the "loop” of line. As rhythm and line control improve, longer and more accurate casts can be achieved. Poor casts typically lead to tangled lines that pile up on the water's surface in front of the angler as he attempts to allow the fly to come to rest. Some nice Rainbows for Dinner. Surface flys Trigger instinctive strikes by employing a range of characteristics that do not necessarily mimic prey items. Flies can be fished floating on the surface (dry flies), partially submerged (emergers), or below the surface (nymphs, streamers, and wet flies.) A dry fly is typically thought to represent an insect landing on, falling on (terrestrials), or emerging from, the water's surface as might a grasshopper,dragonfly,mayfly,ant,beetle,stonefly,or caddisfly. Other , frogs, etc. Sub-surface flies are designed to resemble a wide varisurface flies include poppers and hair bugs that might resemble miceIn broadest terms, flies are categorized as either imitative or attractive. Imitative flies resemble natural food items. Attractive flies ety of prey including aquatic insect larvae,nymphs, and pupae, baitfish,crayfish,worms,leechs, etc. Wet flies, known as streamers, are generally thought to imitate a minnow,leeches or scuds. Some think people who call themselves "fly fisherman" can be elitist. There is a stereotype that fly fisherman look down on bait fisherman and others that don't haven't put in the time to become a skilled fly fisherman. When i moved to Montana and started fishing here,I discovered that the sport of fly fishing has many rewards,as it is'nt the easiest way to catch fish.
I have found streams that you can fish on all day and never see another person.It is a great place to raise a family,as there are many lakes,and rivers full of trout. Range from 1 to 12 weight. The larger the line number, the larger the line size and the larger the fly you can cast with it.
Level lines are the same diameter throughout their length and are fine for casting short distances but not delicate presentations. Double-taper lines taper at both ends, allowing for a more delicate presentation and are best for short to medium cast. Weight forward lines have larger diameters the first 30'. These cast well at all distances and cast larger, more wind-resistant flies better.
For most situations, an 8' or 9' rod with a single action reel is best. If you fish small streams, go to a 7' or 8' rod. Line weights your rod will handle will be marked on the shaft. Buy the best rod you can afford and it will result in less frustration and more fun in learning the great sport of fly-fishing.
Nearly 82 percent of angler days are spent seeking trout and salmon. Some of the rivers that generally receive the most fishing pressure include the Madison, Missouri, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Bighorn, Yellowstone and Gallatin rivers
Montana Rivers to Flow Free - but at What Cost?
story in the Missoulian, which I read from time to time to see how the trout fishing is up in Big Sky Country. Missoula is home to a handful of blue-ribbon trout fisheries, including nearby Rock Creek and the Bitterroot, Blackfoot (the inspiration for "A River Runs Through It") and Clark Fork riv
ers.
The confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork, however, is anything but a fly fisher's dream getaway as the area has been converted into a construction zone of late. The good news is the construction is part of the Milltown Dam removal project, which will return the two rivers to their natural state after 100 years of conversion.
Problem is, researchers are uncertain how the dam removal will affect the Clark Fork's ecosystem. Clark Fork, for those who aren't familiar with Western Montana, is the river that runs through the heart of Missoula and is where a number of fly guides make their living. Fish kills are expected and the river could be three to five years away from returning to its natural state, so you can understand the concern in Big Sky Country as this project goes forward.
Western rivers are becoming so crowded that some anglers
consider casing the long rods for good. Others are
disappointed by the size of the fish they're catching and
blame increased pressure and catch-and-release mortality
onFishing the South Fork of the Flathead River the decline. Unfortunately, if you listen to those anglers,
you could overlook opportunities that provide lifetime
memories.
That's what I've learned during my forays to northwest
Montana's South Fork of the Flathead River--a wild cutthroat
fishery that flows through the largest chunk of designated
wilderness in the Lower 48. If I listened to the pessimists
about how angling pressure on that stream is unbearable
and that the fish aren't what they used to be, I would have
missed one of the most quintessential camping and fly-fishing
experiences an angler can find in Montana.
On the South Fork of the Flathead, I am pleased to report,
enterprising anglers can find remote campsites, solitude,
and scads of native westslope cutthroat. It's a river offering
a return to our fly-fishing infancies when camping and
camaraderie, incredible scenery and seclusion, and
catching naïve trout on bushy
dry flies was more paramount than the opportunity for a
20-incher. You place worth on the experience in its
entirety--from blistered feet on the hikes in and out of the
wilderness, to passing a flask around the campfire, to the
daily duties of filtering water and cleaning the camp dishes.
The fishing is frosting on an already tasty cake.
The River
The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the
Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of
Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. It gains volume with
the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon
creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries.
Overall, the South Fork flows more than 60 miles through
designated wilderness and National Forest lands before
emptying into Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Some anglers who have fished the South Fork for 30 years
complain it isn't as good today as it once was.
They say anglers used to catch nearly 30 cutthroats a day
between 15 and 20 inches. I believe those reports, but today
fish average between 8 and 14 inches with an occasional
17- to 20-inch fish.
Most people credit the river's decline to increased pressure,
and they are probably correct. The South Fork of the
Flathead is no different from other Western rivers, and
you should expect to encounter other anglers and campers
and be passed by pack trains--but it's not the end of the
world. Those willing to venture away from the beaten path
will find refuge from people, especially in late June and early
July when high water recedes and again during fall as
visiting anglers head home.
To help boost the average size of fish, the portion of the
South Fork inside the wilderness boundary is strictly
regulated and anglers may keep up to three trout a day
smaller than 12 inches. The stretch between the Meadow
Creek footbridge and the Spotted Bear footbridge is
catch-and-release only.
Fly Fishing The Madison River Madison River After crossing into Montana from Idaho's Highwat 20 you hit Montana 287 and follow it along the Madison River for some 30miles until you hit Ennis,Mt.You can camp and fish from the bankalong most of this stretch of River.It runs wide and shallowand about 5 miles an hour.Nice big Rainbows can be caught along this stretch of River. Overview: The Madison is, in many people's opinion, Montana's river of superlatives, with a list including highest trout density, most consistent action, best dry fly fishing, and the most spectacular scenery. Not surprisingly, this southwestern Montana jewel is also the second most heavily used river fishery in the state, gro wing more popular annually. Key species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, whitefish, and Arctic grayling. Use: The section from Hebgen Dam to Ennis Lake ranks 4th statewide and only the Missouri River below Holter Dam receives more river fishing pressure. From Ennis Lake down to the mouth it ranks 18th statewide for angling pressure. The Upper section gets the least pressure but is still heavily used by Montana standards, ranking 35th statewide. Key flies and lures: Flies-Bitch Creek Nymphs, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs, Parachute Adams, bead-head Pheasant Tail, Sofa Pillow, Bird's Stonefly, Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Wulffs, hoppers, Woolly Buggers, and Marabou Streamers. Lures-Rooster Tail Spinners; gold, silver and black lures; and black Daredevles. Bait-hoppers and worms. Be sure to check current regulations on bait restrictions.Also there are some good campsites right on the river with easy access for your boat or raft. I fish the Clark Fork more than any other river in Montana,because
it is close to where I live,.It has an enormous amount of different
species of fish to catch,My favorite fish to catch is the Northern Pike.
It also has Trout,Burbot,Bass,Whitefish to name a few species.
The Clark Fork River has its headwaters in the Silver Bow
(or Highland) Mountains, originating at the confluence of
Silver Bow and Warm Springs creeks near Anaconda, Montana.
The river flows north and west 350 miles through broad,
semi-arid valleys, high mountain ranges, and steep-sided
valleys and terminates in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.
The Upper Clark Fork, bordered on the north by the
Garnet Range and on the south by the Flint Creek Range,
meanders most of its first 38 miles through the flat plains
of the Deer Lodge Valley. Vegetation is sparse, due partly
to the effects of the mining boom, the greatest historical
influence in the Upper Basin. Downstream from the mouth
of the Little Blackfoot River, the river flows through a steep,
narrow canyon. Between Garrison and Jens the river
channel has been shortened by highway and railroad
construction activities, but past Jens the Clark Fork
meanders away from the transportation corridor and
native trees and shrubs appear along its banks.
From below Flint Creek the river runs 26 miles through
Bearmouth Canyon to emerge and widen to 150 feet for its
final miles to Milltown Reservoir. The Middle Clark Fork
River extends about 115 river miles from Milltown Dam to its
confluence with the Flathead River and is entirely free
flowing. Its drainage is mountainous and covered with large
forested tracts, broken by grazing and cropland areas in the
lower valleys. From Thompson Falls Dam, its upper
boundary, the Lower Clark Fork River flows through
sedimentary formations and a landscape sculptured by the
massive outflows of glacial Lake Missoula. It runs into
Cabinet Gorge Dam, just outside the Montana border.
Between the backwaters of Cabinet Gorge and the
tailwaters of Thompson Falls Dam the river is inundated
by Noxon Rapids Dam. When the Clark Fork crosses the
Idaho border, it is Montana's largest river, carrying an
average 22,060 cubic feet of water per second.
Stillwater River
The Stillwater River begins high in the mountains of the
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area. The river flows for
more than twenty miles through the wilderness area before
leaving the mountains behind and spilling out into the rolling
prairie and canyons that lie outside the wilderness area.
Once it leaves the wilderness area, the Stillwater River flows
for another 45 miles through a mix of canyons, prairie and
forest until meeting up with the Yellowstone River near the
town of Columbus, Montana - which is about 45 miles from
Billings,Montana
The Stillwater River is an absolutely beautiful and wild river.
The Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains provide a stunning
backdrop to any fishing or float trip. Fishing pressure on
the Stillwater River is moderate - most out of state anglers
venture to the much more popular and well known nearby
rivers such as the Yellowstone River. That said, lots of
locals ply the waters of the Stillwater in search of the
plentiful rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout that are found
in the river.
Since the first twenty miles of the Stillwater River are in the
wilderness area, access is excellent, although it requires a
hike or ride Horses and Mules in to reach it. Once the Stillwater River
leaves the wilderness, access for most of its length is good
due to numerous road, bridge and designated fishing access
 Tying the Caddis fly
Caddis emerge quite quickly once they reach the surface, often too quickly for trout to have a chance to eat them. Trout know this and often will not waste their time or energy trying to feed on adults that are not crippled or in the process of emerging. It represents those emerging and/or crippled caddis that the trout key in on. The Z-lon shuck represents the pupal shuck of the natural and the lack of hackle allows it to sit low in the water like an emerger or cripple. What is even better than how well this fly works is how easy it is to tie. It is a perfect pattern to crank out late the night before a trip. So tie some up, get a good dead drift, and hang on. Tie this pattern in sizes 12-18. Step 1 Start your thread and coat the shank of the hook back to the bend of the hook. Take a small clump of Z-lon and tie it in extending off the bend of the hook. Tie the butts of the Z-lon down about half way up the shank of the hook and tie them down to the bend of the hook. Clip the butts off. Step 2 Now clip the shuck to length, roughly 1 ½ times the gap of the hook, and thin the end of it with the tip of your scissors. You do not want to the shuck to have abrupt edges; they look unnatural on the water. Dub a tapered body up the shank of the hook, stopping just shy of the eye of the hook so there is enough room to tie in the wing Step 3 Cut, comb and stack clump of elk or deer hair and tie it in, tips facing the bend of the hook. The wing should be tied in directly behind the eye of the hook and extend the length of the body. Cut the butts of the wing off even with the front edge of the eye of the hook and whip finish.
Now go catch a trout.
Learn how to raise Discus Fish . A Golden Trout 
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