The Bitterroot giving it up

The past few days in Missoula have been fairly warm and wet. Not exactly the kind of weather you usually see in January but I am not complaining. With the weather being so mild the past few days I would be a fool to not go chase big browns on streamers. After a quick stop at the fly shop to get something to patch the hole in my waders, I hit the river. It wasn't long before the lower bitterroot gave up a very good sized brown trout.

And this one..

Nice winter colors

I was talking to myself today like I usually do when im fishing alone and came up with a new saying..

"Living my life one strip and twitch at a time"

-Chris Gratton

Pretty good right? Well at least I thought so

Adios! 

Brown Success!

With some last minute advise from my friend Bob over at Bum Trout, I packed the car and headed down to Dillon, Montana to fish The Beaverhead River. I was optimistic about how the fishing was gonna be during the winter on the Beav but I had never seen the river myself. Just have heard about it and seen some pictures. I would have never guessed the fishing was gonna be as good as it was. I caught 12+ fish both days and they were all brown trout, minus 1 massive whitefish. I caught about half on nymphs and the other half on streamers. In my book a weekend fishing trip like that is hard to beat and in mid- January it is even more unbelievable.

 Buttery Beaverhead brown

 Adios my friend  

Bridge beast

 Fish of the trip

This was my first trip to the Beaverhead... And with these results, It wont be my  last. Big thanks to Frontier Anglers for pointing me in the right direction.

I just finished editing a short film from this trip so stay tuned! Its called "Smells Like Stream Spirit"

Brrrrrrrrrr... Off to explore

Its been chilly here in missoula for the past week and I only have been able to get out on the river once. However higher temps are in the near future and tomorrow im packing up and taking a trip down to the Big Hole river for some streamer fishing. It should be interesting, I have never fished the big hole but I have heard nothing but good things and its time for me to see for myself.

Whitefish kissing the ice for good luck!

Cheers to a weekend of exploring! 

Vermont for the holidays

Ive been back in the green mountain state for 2 and a half weeks now and it has been great catching up with family and friends. Santa was more than generous to me this year bringing me new fishing shirts, a Go Pro Hero 3, a Sage One 6wt and some other fishy things. Thanks big guy!

I haven't been on the river or even casted a fly rod in 3 weeks!! I am freaking out!! To keep my mind off fishing or keep me busy while I can't fish I have been working in the sugar woods for my Uncle Bruce Branon and Cousin Rj Branon. We have been busy putting in new pipe line to prepare for this years up coming sugaring season this spring. Gotta put in the time in the woods if you want that Pure Vermont Maple Syrup AKA (liquid gold) this spring. If you haven't had any REAL maple syrup I suggest you try it! It may change your life.

Bruce and Rj hard at work

Not a bad view coming out of the woods either..

2012 in Review and what to look forward to in 2013

I would have to say I did more fishing and caught more more big fish than I have in any year prior to 2012. It was a great year for me and a lot of other fisherman I know. I would just like to take some time out of the day today to thank the fish gods for making this year one hell of a ride and all my fishing buddies for the great days on the water along with memories that will last a lifetime.

 GOODBYE 2012!

2012 Is going to be one tough act to follow but I have a couple ideas... You'll just have to wait and see. What I can say is that I will be making more higher quality videos thanks to Santa who brought me the new Go Pro Hero 3. I also have plans to explore more rivers and creeks in Montana farther away from Missoula like The Big hole, Yellowstone, Madison and many more. Don't take Vermont Trout Bum off your blog roll just yet, he is just getting started. Stay tune for an action packed 2013!!

Photo by: Bob Prince

Vermont Trout Bum's photostream

Vermont Trout Bum's photostream on Flickr.

Last Chance

After looking at the weather last night I realized today was gonna be the last warm day that I could fish before I leave missoula for the holidays. When I woke up this morning without thinking twice I set off up the Bitterroot to strip some streamers. The days started off slow until the temperature warmed up to around 40 degrees and I started getting some action. I was able to land one average size brown and another larger male brown with a serious kype jaw. Bringing a 22+inch brown to hand is not a bad way to leave Montana if you ask me.

I head back to Vermont on sunday for 3 weeks and Im sure I will have some things to share from back East. Happy Holidays!