Several years ago (amazingly in fact five years ago), Jake spent an earlier lifetime working for a year in a Southern State fly shop.
One evening a customer walked in and proceeded to authoritatively tell Jake there “are no trout in Montana over 18 inches long. They simply don’t exist. At all”.
Said customer had spent all of three days fishing the Big Hole and Bighorn and in his fertile mind had researched the issue carefully. Apparently his explanation was that the “severe winters and improper conditions in Montana rivers combine to stunt the growth of wild fish”.
Naturally we were skeptical and have spent several years vigorously researching his claim; our findings, however, were quite a surprise.
These Aren’t the Trout You’re Looking For; Move Along
With some sadness we now report the Southern gentleman was indeed correct. (We’ve been hesitant to publish our findings as we’re obviously strong supports of fly fishing in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone region.)
In summary, we’ve found that fish size (rainbows, cutthroats, browns, grayling, carp, bass, walleye and anything else you might think of) has been shrinking consistently since 2010.
Catch rates are down, crowds sizes are up, river conditions have been tough, and carpet bagging SOBs businessmen from Atlanta now claim to own the air above the rivers as well as the water.
The posted pics are from the lower Madison (above) and between the Lakes (right) and represent the largest catches our highly skilled angler team have seen this entire season.
The bottom line – Montana’s trout aren’t the fish you’re looking for; it’s time to move on to more productive waters.
We hear South Dakota is fishing well this year and Colorado has more water flowing right now than any other state in the Rockies.
Tight lines and minimal road burn from your travels.
(Disclaimer: Post paid for by the Greater Bozeman It’s Been a Long Summer and Crowded Tourist Season Already Coalition.)
Images: Top – Angler Jake/Image Mark; Right – Angler Shane Rickert/Image Jake.
