Family-Outdoors: Montana Small Stream Trout Fishing

Sorry I can't be very specific here, but some of these streams are just too fragile to give out names here. Here's a tip on how you can find your own secluded honey hole. Look at the major, famous rivers, and look on a topographic map for small tributaries. You will find they almost all have public access, as well as plenty of small brook trout and cutthroat trout. Although this article is about Montana, these small stream techniques have never failed me anywhere from Wyoming to upstate New York. First and foremost, keep your presentation small.

If you buy seven or eight size 0 or size 00 Mepp's spinners, you can catch trout just about anywhere. Fish every pocket of deep water you see, which are often caused by fallen trees, rocks, or beaver dams obstructing flow. If you can find a section of stream in a valley or meadow area, that is even better. Cast your spinner upstream, and reel it downstream just fast enough to make the spinner spin. If you do this, and are careful not to wave your pole around or make excessive noise, you will catch some trout. Just don't expect them to be large. The majority of mountain creek trout will be five to 12 inches long, and most will be on the lower end of that spectrum.

If you will be fly fishing these little streams, a variety of offerings may be the ticket. The hatch charts are a good starting point for fishing dries. If you are fishing nymphs, use generics like hare's ear, copper johns, and pheasant tails. Fish small- 14-16 are pushing the upper end of the scale.

Also try to practice catch and release, or at least only keep enough for dinner. These small streams are fragile. Also, don't tell too many people about the little gem, or you may find there will only be a few, small spooky trout the next time you fish there.