Fishing North west Montana

[All Wet]

I started to seriously fly fish a couple of years ago but I still use terminal gear quite often. I recently quit renting out my house in Montana and am now using it as my cabin as often as I can get there. I have been fly fishing the Kootenai River often with fair success. The largest fish I ever caught there was 6.5 # on bait about ten years ago. The Montana record rainbow of 33 pounds was caught below the dam. I still work here in Oregon and am now living in Forest Grove. I have definatly caught more large fish here but the uncowded fishing there is almost unbelievable after fishing here. If any of you are planing any trips to that area I will try to point you in the right direction.

[scoutfish]

Thanks All Wet. Might this turn into a vacation rental ?

Anyway it would be next year for me. It,s A beautiful place. :wave:

[Abalone]

I have been to libby back in 1972 right after I got out of the Navy. A friend used to live there. I have always wanted
to fish the Yak and the Kootenia. From what I hear the Kootenia can be difficult to fish unless you have a boat because
of the river flow fluctuations. But the lack of large crowds, the beautiful country and big fish really appeal to me.

If a cabin rental is a possibilty I would be interested some time in the future.

What fly patterns work ? How do you like to fish it ?

I hear there is a lot of trail water and back eddies. The bigger fish are close to the dam as they get lots of
protein from the turbines.

Please tell us all about it. What other little side creeks are there. The Yak ?

My friend use to tell me about small creeks in the back country that got very little pressure and had huge trout in
them. From what I can remember, that area reminds me of the Clackamas river above Estacada before the dam was
built.

I have called the guide shops up there and shuttles are available.

[lilnorthfork]

Sounds like an ifish flyfish rondevouz in the making. :cool: I am also in the Groove... drop me a line if you want to swap fly tales sometime. lnf

[All Wet]

Abolone is right . The bigger fish are closer to the dam where injured kokanie come through the turbins. I usually fish below the town which is 17 miles below. I have caught fish on muddler minnows, purple perils and other streamers but I have done best (Quantity) on 16--20 adams, sparkle dunns,calabaetis and ants and hoppers. I didn't use hoppers last time but there were numerous ones in the grass
. I have been hitting it from the end of the fourlane to about mile marker 25. Actually I think you could do well anywhere. The last take out is right at the entrance to the sheep range. The guides don't go below that. I have been mostly banking it. The river is up into the grass so I wade next to the bank. It is handy if you can roll cast a little or it might get frustrating. I give my share of flies to the tree monsters. I won't have time for any rondevous this year but maybe next year.