Everything Fly fishing/Fly tying

X-posted on Outdoors thread because I forgot about this one.

A little late in planning and trip got Fubar’d. But long story short, driving to Belgrade to pickup up a GFC on the 30th. Stopping in Ennis overnight and camping south of Belgrade along the Gallatin on the 30th. Basically, I have two afternoons to fish 29th around Ennis, 30th around Bozeman. Of course I’ll hit up some shops and grab some flies and spend a little cash. Any place in particular that’s public accessible for wading? Been looking at maps and have seen a few access points but looking for some possible local knowledge. It seems like a lot of it is private, accessed by drift boats only?

 

Unbelievable awesome find!!!! Outstanding!! WOW!

 

What kind of trout is that one that looks like it was crossed with a Muskie

 

It's a bit further east, but I've spent a few weeks around the halfmoon campground outside of big timber. Gallatin national forest. "Crazy Mountains". You can access the west side from N of livingston around Wilsaw but Big timber side is better access and I would say worth the extra 90 minutes if you were considering. Small Freestone streams, plunge pools, waterfalls, the works.
Edit: realized my avatar is a pic from Big Timber.

 

Lots of public access points on the Madison. Three Dollar Bridge, West Fork campground, under the dam. All good. The guys at the Slide Inn fly shop will point you in the right direction. In Montana everything below the high water line is public.

 

Awesome thank you.

 

Perfect! thank you.

 

What it takes to make a single fly. Amazing.

 

Tiger Trout...sterile cross between a brown and brook.

I've wondered recently why hybrid fish like the tiger trout and tiger muskie come out as...well...tigers...

 

We have a stocked Tiger Trout lake in here in MB. It's a 4-5 hour trip.....I hope to make it one day.

https://swanvalleysportfishing.com/lakes/twin-lake/

 

And I thought (some of my coachman flies and ones I can not remember their names) I tied some purdy flies!! HA!!! Nope!! nothing like those

 

Another estate sale today, SCORE and I got some "Brothel Tokens"

 

This is so cool!!! Way yo go!

 

@Pillslinger , @gladecreekwy Based on advice here, ended up stopping at the Slide Inn to grab some flies and information on fishing spots. I Went downstream and fished the boat put-in upstream past the Grizzly bar and Inn. Fished all Day and super slow. Although locals said the water was really high, I only experienced it up to my waist at the most, so I'm assuming it's usually slower and better fishing. Anyway, I finally caught a 6" beast. I was pretty bummed that was my whole day of producing.
Just as I was deciding to pack it up I saw another little flash as I was drifting under an overhanging pine tree. I Tried 3 more drifts with some flashes then nothing. I figured I spooked him. I drifted one more time and thought I snagged a tree root but noticed a little give. I then thought it was a branch because it was slowly rising as I heaved on the lin. I literally sat there pulling on it for about 5-10 seconds and slowly reeling it in. Then it slowly started angling across stream. I was jacked when I realized it was a massive fish. Just as I stepped off the bank into the water it ripped downstream and spooled me to the backing. I kept the tip up and followed the fish trying to gain back some lost line. about 100' of walking downstream he strips again, then turns and starts heading upstream. I'm frantically stripping line trying to keep it taught and accidentally let some slack drift down by my feet and hook some roots sticking out of the bank. I realize what's happening and try to reach down while keeping the line taught to untangle this catastrophe. I slip and fall and start getting pushed downstream, but at least the slack line followed me an unhooked itself. I finally get a foothold and stand up to regain my composure and keep it all going. This ends up being a reel, spools me, reel, spools me- effort for over 30 minutes. I've now walked, tripped and bumbled doing my best, A River Runs Through, re-creation of the scene a 1/4 mile downstream. All day I was around other anglers, but now not a single one is downstream with a net! Augh. So by this time, I've gained some ground and get the line about 6' away. A good heave up and I finally see this beast of a fish that's definitely longer than my left arm and the biggest trout I've ever hooked. I pull up on the rod and reach out with my net, and bam!!! Fish is gone, line is broke. and I have nothing but heartache to show for it.

I packed it up and drank a beer. The next day I went up to Begrade to grab my camper and was planning on fishing the Gallatin. It was extremely high and fast so I ended up cutting the trip short to get back to see both of my sons baseball tournament games. Driving back through West Yellowstone, the water was perfect and as I'm passing the river I can see lots of rings and a hatch going off.

For another day....Thanskl for the advice guys!

 

Great story. Sorry you didn’t land that fish. We go there every year in May and this year was the slowest we can remember. Still beats the hell out of working.

 

Dang man!!! I was pulling for ya!!! I was hoping to see a picture at the end!!!! You know where a big one is and hope you can get back there and get er done!!

the only thing I could see was the seen in the Quiet Man with the priest in the stream and he lost the big one!!!

 

That’s why it’s called fishing and not catching

 

Good times.

 

There it is!!!

 

Big Triple tail for a 5wt.

 

Nice catch! Good eats!!

 

I suppose it's official now.

 

Did you paint that??

 

No, that was done by Chase over at Tight Loops. They have some amazing stuff out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvCs6_wYT4

 

Now that was cool!!! Thank you!

 

Great trip out to the Greys River.

 

Nice! Looks like a great trip! Heading to WY in September. We won't be getting as far west as the Grey's tho. You spend anytime over around Medicine Bow?

 

No. Long drive from me.

 

Got the bike out for a little adventure. Hopper season in NW Wyoming