Fishing Report

We've been really busy and that's a great thing for everything except the blog.

On my way out the door to teach some trap shooting however I wanted to update you quickly on the fishing around here.

The Blackfoot and the Missouri have both been fishing well. The Upper Clark Fork that runs through the ranch is hit or miss. Evening hatches can produce good action some days, and leave you less than satisfied on others.

Rock Creek is fishing great. Mornings good, heat of day not so good, evenings can be great. Stoneflies, Spruce Moth imitations, small Parachute Adams working right now but can be hard to see on the fast water.

You need to be quiet on the creek and watch that you don't cast a shadow on the pools as you approach. Fish from down stream and quietly stalk up toward each pool fishing the entire pool form tail out to falls with most of the bigger fish coming right beside the white water in the head of the pools.

Zac and Joel and I all have plenty of pictures but just finding time to process them all and write a post is challenging. More to come....

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron

Rock Creek Catching Report

Had the pleasure of fishing the creek with Al Stinson recently and the action was good.

Al and I started our adventure down on the Clark Fork and his 2nd or 3rd cast Al was hooked up and in battle. Good size Rocky Mountain Whitefish took the dropper on a dry/dropper rig. I got a photo however it did not turn out well. Reflection glared out the image. We fished there a while longer and decided the action was probably more fast and furious up on Rock Creek so we headed there. We were right/

Al's hopper hit the water and a big brownie inhaled it. Solid 16 on a parachute hopper patter that we carry in the shop. He played the fish perfectly and while he was doing that I was looking for the net. The one that I left up in the Jeep at the trail head. DOH!!

Got the fish up against the bank using a combination of my hands and feet which was, I'm sure, quite comical. Got both hands on the fish and was about to hand it to Al for the picture when it did a quick flip and was gone. I was kicking myself square in the butt for leaving the net in the Jeep. It was a beautiful fish, very healthy and a great fighter. Sorry Al, for not getting that picture for you. Dangit.

We fish on upstream a ways and there were many takes. Just about a fish everyplace one should be. It was a great day of catching.

I'd say we are in the beginnings of hopper season around here. Golden Stoneflies are showing up in greater numbers and a few hoppers are around. When you have the correct flies, with the correct, drag free presentation, the action is very satisfactory.

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron
Post Script: If your guide doesn't have a net with him, ask him why not! I can guarantee you he or she didn't mean to leave it behind.

The Ins and Outs of NuCanoes And A Fishing Report

Hope you had a great Independence Day celebration. We had a great time here with a huge BBQ, libations, music and sparklers!!

It finally, really, feels like summer here in these mountains of Montana and that means it was time for us to move the NuCanoes up to the lake. We have a small fleet of them available for rent during your visit.

They are very easy to paddle, virtually unsinkable and so far, I haven't been able to tip one over. I have fallen out of one, but that's nothing new for me. Ain't the first boat I've fallen out of and I don't think it'll be my last!

Joel decided it might be a good idea to put together a little video demonstration of easy paddle boat entry and exit strategy. I was the camera man on this project and no, you don't have to worry about me quitting my day job.

Heeeerrrrrre's Joel!

Thanks JT, good stuff.

Today's Fishing Report: The creek looks great and the dry fly action is picking up a little each day. Bugs in the air include some caddis, golden stones, yellow sally with a few hoppers showing up.

Though a few fish can be tricked in the morning, the best bite is certainly in the afternoon through dusk. Plenty of mosquitoes on the creek so be prepared. Long sleeve shirts and long pants along with a little repellent will go a long way to making your day much more enjoyable.

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron

Creek Browns and Cutties on Dries.

I get excited about dry fly fishing. We've had three good, really warm days in a row and it's got our creek fish looking up.

Al Stinson and I fished some different sections of the creek yesterday and today. Both days we had fish take the dries. We fished dry flies and some dry dropper combos. Fish ate both.

It's not what I would call red hot action, but it's good action.

Al caught Brownies and Cutthroats both.

Good couple of trips.

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron

Quick Fishing Report

Fished the creek for a few minutes this morning. Less than a half hour. Moved one fish with a streamer. Water is still running high and fast although clarity is improving and level has dropped about 2 inches overnight.

We've been having rain the last few days and light snows up on the mountain. Runoff is not over but fishing on the creek should improve steadily unless we have a flash flood and that could set it back a few days. I'm optimistic though.

The Clark Fork is still high and off color. It will be a while.

The fish at Lake Foley are becoming more active with signs of surface activity according to Eric Rieland, our fisheries biologist/stream restoration specialist.

In other news-Eric is finishing up work on the creek. Many more improved holding areas just below the county road and down below 17 green. The fish are moving up from the Clark Fork and we're looking forward to those sections of the creek fishing very well in the next few weeks.

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron

Creek Fishing Report Plus Blackfoot Bow!

Runoff continues on the region's rivers and creeks. Rock Creek here at the lodge is up over a foot this morning after recent warm days and a few rain showers. It's running high and slightly off color but I was able to trick a few browns with a Big Horn Lead Eye Bugger this morning.

Most in the 8 to 12 inch range with one a little over 14. It's tough, fast fishing with very quick drifts and swings into pockets and deep pools getting some of the bite and erratic strips upstream very tight to the bank taking more fish. Like I said, it's tough work type fishing but a person can catch some streamer fish if they are committed to fast and furious and really feeling the take.

In other news, check out the photo Zac snapped of this beauty that Brett caught while fishing one of our rivers the other day.

This beautiful rainbow measured 25 1/2 inches according to Zac's tape measure. It ate a tungsten bead head "Bird Of Prey".

All Smiles

Great live release!

Nice one Brett!

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron

Shotgun Safety Basics With Rock Creek Ron

I really enjoy the shooting sports. It's a close second, for me anyway, to fly fishing. I enjoy shotgunning, rifles and handguns. Today, we're going to talk about some basic safety procedures when on the trap range at Rock Creek Cattle Company.

Once you arrive at the trap range, your instructor for the day will go over the following basic instructions. It is standard operating procedure whether you are a beginner or a seasoned firearms veteran. Remember, it's not a video game or a cartoon. It's serious and with safety in mind, it is loads of fun.


1.-Always assume any firearm you handle is loaded. Never point it at anything or any one that could be shot if an accidental discharge occurs.

2.- With the firearm in the muzzle up position, find the safety button and make sure the button is in the safe mode. If you see red, it means fire. Push the button to the safe position.

3. With the firearm pointing down range, move to the ready to load position.

4. After loading, move firearm to the up position, meaning the muzzle is pointing straight up.

5. Take your stance-Feet about shoulder width apart with your leading foot pointing down range, back at a right angle and pointing to your right, if you are right handed, to your left if you are left handed.

6. Mount your shotgun-From the up position, push your shotgun skyward, and settle it back into your shoulder. Point the muzzle downrange and slightly above the trap machine. You may now click the safety button into the fire position.

7. When you are ready, call for your target by saying "Pull" loud and clear.

8. Track your target and fire. Immediately after firing, return the muzzle to the upright position and engage the safety again.

Repeat!

Once everyone is familiar with the routine, we can put several people on the firing line at once at the different posts and have a real trap shoot!!

Here is the video we shot a couple of days ago, starring Rock Creek Ron with videography by Joel.



The shooting sports are great fun. Keep safety first and have a blast.

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron