05.05.2008 Lots of Caddis.
We went to the Beaverhead right here in Twin Bridges last night to play fetch, which is always a good time. It wasnt long though before Rooster switched out the dummies for his flyrod and was casting at all the rising fish. I didnt mind all that much though - I always enjoy having a look at a nice brown trout or ten when I get to go fishing. It beats sitting in the kennel!
Looks like the fishing will be good this week!
Till next time -
See you on the water,
Dan "Rooster" Leavens & Salty the Steelhead Dog.
“however, because there are no tourist attractions near Twin Bridges, even the several larger streams are fished but lightly. -- The Wise Fishermen's Encyclopedia 1952”
With
countless magazine articles, books, and television shows in circulation on
Western Trout Rivers, it's challenging to put into type a description of
our local waters that you already haven't seen or read. For the newcomer
and seasoned Montana fly fisherman alike, here is an outfitter's take on
our home waters nearby the Stonefly Inn:
On Choices
Back in the old days, most fly anglers owned one fly rod, a tattered box
of flies that were tied by the angler or his son, and a worn out pair of
tennis shoes for wet wading in the summer heat. 
Trout were sought after
as a food source more than entertainment. These days, fly rods are as versatile
as ever yet the majority of fly anglers own several - short rods,
long rods, stiff rods, dry fly rods, streamer rods, bamboo, graphite, and
even a few old fiberglass rods. The choice has to be made well in advance
to tying on your fly which rod will be optimal for getting the fly to the
fish.
Choosing an outfitter for your fly fishing vacation is much like the scenario above. You have lodges, flyshops, backcountry camps, roadside motels, pack in trips, day floats, private water and in some instances, all of the above. When you consider all of your options, outfitters and guides are your ticket to a great vacation on strange water. We know you have choices. We think about them. Let us worry about the details, right down to the tippet.
THE BIG HOLE RIVER 
Fed by three different mountain ranges, dozens of freestone creeks and flowing over 100 miles, the Big Hole River is one of those places you just can't get off your mind. Often referred to as "The Last Best River", the Big Hole fishes well from ice out in April until the winter weather hits in November. Limited outfitter use makes this river a first choice for many of our anglers.
What the Big Hole offers:
- Over 100 miles of fishable water.
- Freestone trout fishing.. No dams here.
- More colors of mayflies than you have in your box.
- Caddis hatches that can require dust masks.
- Stonefly hatches that bring even the largest of trout to the surface.
- Brown and Rainbow trout that will test every skill you have.
- 6 months of changing conditions - great early and late season opportunities.
- Fishable at high and low flows
- Side channels, dry fly slicks, and nymphing riffles.
- Trout fishing the way it was meant to be.
THE BEAVERHEAD RIVER 
One of the three great tailwaters in Big Sky Country. stable water flows, dense populations of trout and great insect life make this river a great option almost any time of year. Multiple spring creek influxes below Dillon create some great clear water, dry fly opportunities during the heat of the summer. Big Browns on hoppers. A great river to fly fish.
What the Beaverhead offers:
- Over 80 miles of fishable water.
- Tailwater reliability - very little runoff effect
- Nymphing for larger than average trout.
- PMD hatches in June and July that will cause you to make bad casts.
- Rainbow trout that will straighten out hooks and break 3x tippet.
- Brown trout that will chase size 4 streamers and inhale them.
- Sight fishing... need I say more?
THE MADISON RIVER 
They say you have to have an ace in the hole. If we had to pick a river to fit that bill, it would be the "Maddy". Astonishing numbers of trout and good water flows through the summer months keep the rods bent when fishing might be tough elsewhere.
What the Madison offers:
- Over 60 miles of fishable water
- Access for the wading angler as well as the drift boat angler
- Fish per mile numbers in the 4000 range
- Stonefly, Caddis and flying ant hatches
- Good flows throughout the season
- Classic western drift boat fishing
THE JEFFERSON RIVER 
Formed in Twin Bridges by the confluence of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Ruby Rivers, the Jefferson flows northbound over eighty miles to the confluence of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri. Receiving less pressure than any of the others, this is one of those fisheries that you have to see to believe.
What the Jefferson offers:
- 80 miles of floatable water, with good wading opportunities
- Early stonefly hatches
- Great streamer fishing
- Unparallelled wildlife and scenery
- Larger than average trout
- Low angler pressure
- Did we mention BIG brown trout?
THE RUBY RIVER 
As our friends refer to secret spots - the Ruby River is a "sleeper". From the dam to Twin Bridges there is over 40 miles of twisting, turning trout water. Good public access makes this a great place to spend an afternoon before, during or after your trip with us.
What the Ruby offers:
- Classic small stream fishing
- Reliable hatches of PMD's, Caddis, and Blue Wings
- Great numbers of trout, from the dam to Twin Bridges
- AMPLE public access
- A great place to finish up your day or trip
SPRING CREEKS
If you are looking for the big name spring creeks, like Depuys, Armstrongs, or Nelsons, you won't find them here. What you will find is places like Poindexter Slough in Dillon (entirely on state ground) - no rod fees there. Other options are the lower Beaverhead, Albers Slough, Owsley Slough, and a multitude of smaller feeder creeks, many of which don't even have names!
- Poindexter Slough
- Owsley Slough
- Albers Slough
- Public Access as well as private
STILLWATERS
- Clark Canyon Reservoir - try this one in July!
- Ruby River reservoir
- Countless high mountain lakes, accessible by vehicle and foot
