Bitterroot Trip

A little video I put together of my trip to the Bitterroot River after class Thursday 3-08-12.

Bitterroot Success

Thursday afternoon when i got out of class at 1 there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was 60 degrees. I packed up my fishing stuff and headed to the bitterroot river. I got to a nice run and drifted my nymph through about 15 times and then my indicator dropped and I set the hook. This fish put up the best fight I've had yet in Montana, taking drag out on 8 separate occasions. This fish just wouldn't give up i would get it to were I could see it and then zinngg it took off. I finally landed the fish, it was a 19 inch rainbow. The pictures just dont justify how big this fish actually was.

The Release

I made a few more cast then headed down stream. I found some promising looking water and made a cast. About halfway through the drift it hooked up with another nice fish. It took off into the shallow water and jumped! I got it back down in the water and fought it for a little longer. I got it to shore and snapped a few pics.

 Fatty

That was it for that day. Yesterday Alec and I went back to the bitterroot again. I caught 3 white fish and Alec caught a bunch of white fish and 1 trout. It was another nice day in the high 60's. The fishing is getting better and im sure by next weekend it will be even more insane. 

JOB????

This morning at 5am I went to a job interview at the UPS shipping warehouse. It was early but I had my coffee and was ready to go. One other kid and I got a tour of the warehouse by the manager. After the tour we each had separate interviews and they said they might call me later for another meeting. Not long after I got back to my dorm I got the phone call for the second interview tomorrow at 615am. Don't know what it means but im optimistic. 

I could really use this job to pay for my trout bum activities and an apartment for this summer? and next year. Wish me luck

A sign of Spring? I dont' know but I love this weather!

I woke up early again sunday morning expecting blue skys and high temperatures. Me and Alec packed up our gear and headed to the car to go pick up Cody. I opened the front door to the dorms greeted by a warm breeze and that blue sky I was looking for. It was 40 degrees before 9 o'clock and it was predicted to get in the high 50's. Alec, Cody and I hit the road to the bitterroot, we had to stop in the town of Hamilton to meet up with a guy Cody and Alec had met on the Missouri River a couple weekends ago. They were going to fish with him up river for the day and I was going down on my on adventure.

Sun peeking over "The M"

The root

The day started off slow with no fish in the first 3 runs. I started to fish this slow deep run along the bank and on my first drift my indicator went under and I set the hook. The fish gave me a few head shakes and was gone... I continued fishing that run and after about 10 more drifts I hooked up with a nice cutthroat of about 13 inches. That was the theme of the day Cutties. I fished the rest of the day in a T-shirt which I haven't done since August, temperatures reached the 60's! It was a beautiful day on the river, I ended up with a couple fish and a sun burn on my neck.

 Bitterroot Cutthroat

 My dream house

 Mountains and Cutties

On my way back up river to meet up with Alec, Cody and Bob I walked up on a group of deer crossing the river. I was pretty cool how the went single file across the river. Just another reason why I love Montana!

 You go first.. No you go first.

Follow me

Single file everyone

I met up with the guys and we were all in need of a lot of food. Bob knew a place in town were we could get a huge family size pizza and breadsticks on a college kid budget. We scarfed down the pizza and talked about fishing and some more fishing. We paid the bill, said our goodbyes to bob and hit the road back to Missoula. This week is supposed to be beautiful but I gotta take care of business with school before I hit the river. 

Chasing Skwalas with some "BWO's"

This morning I woke up early hoping to get out on the river early to fully take advantage of the mid 40 degree weather. Alec, Cody and I stopped in at the Hob Nob for a good hearty breakfast before we hit the river. We finished up breakfast and hit the fly shop for some last minute necessities. 

Alec puttin' some air in his tire

We hit the river and fished for about 5 hours before our stomachs told us to head back to the car. Cody and Alec got into a lot of nice fish in this one run, each landing 4+ fish. I fished in another spot and ended up hooking up with and fighting 4 fish but they all spit the hook and got away. It was a nice warm day on the river with a lot of action even though not all the action was at the end of my line it was still a great day. Tomorrow is looking promising with highs in the upper 40's. Me and Alec decided to tie some more trout food for tomorrows adventures. Oh ya and we had a few PBR's.

 Blue Ribbon

 Yumm..

 mmm..

mmm..

Todays the day

Todays March 1st and in Montana that means every angler has to purchase a new fishing licence. Today after chemistry I went over to the King Fisher Fly shop to pick up mine. It put a minor dent in the bank account $72 but it is well worth it when you spend as much time on the water as I do. Not only did I get a licence I also picked up a few stone flys. I plan on going to the bitterroot this weekend and from what Alec and Cody are saying the fish are loving the stones. Here are some  pictures that influenced the purchase of my 2012 Montana fishing licence. Not like I wasn't gonna buy one.. but heres the pictures anyway.

 Fall on the Bitterroot 

 Rattlesnake

The Mighty Mo

Montana Bow

Another influential video that gets the blood pumping.

Blue Bird Tuesday

On Tuesday's me and my buddy Alec only have one class. There seems to be a pattern of tuesdays that have to do with a lot of fishing and a lot less academics. This tuesday was gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky, sun shining bright and a mild temperature of 34 degrees. We got out of class and headed across town to the first access we ever fished together at. We headed to up river and got our lines wet on the same run to start. I continued to fish this run and Alec headed up stream to a run he knew held fish.

Concentration  

No fish here

After finishing that run I headed up stream to meet up with Alec but not before having some fun with my camera along the way.

Hydros with the Access III reel

I continued up river fishing runs and exploring new water. I didn't hook up with any fish but I did have a great day exploring with the sun in my face and a fly rod in my hand. It was getting late and me and Alec decided to hed backt to the truck. Alec ended up landing 1 rainbow and 1 whitefish while I was exploring. 

Some good things in the future: The days continue to get longer meaning fishing after class there is a lot more time to be spent on the water before dark. Once it gets a little warmer were gonna start to see some hatches out here in Montana and I can't wait! Also my birthday is coming up in 19 days!!