Ah winter time in Montana, or maybe I should say spring at this point. However it’s only spring in the technical, calendar sense of the word here. This time of year often brings some of the most frustrating yet most rewarding experiences on the river. One day it’s 54 degrees and beautiful, and the next day is met with a full-on, white-out blizzard. It seems like good weather will never stay for the long haul. Not to mention, the ridiculous Montana winds that plague this area on the regular. But if you can withstand the bi-polar weather, the fishing opportunities can be incredible. The trout get a little more pep in their step and are HUNGRY!
This last month has honestly been a slow one for me. Living my life according to the weather forecast, which I am convinced, is a cruel joke in most cases. To make matters worse, I decided to invest in a new rod of the two-handed variety, and I have gotten very few chances to use it. Starting from scratch and learning a completely new style of casting in 40 mph wind has been tricky to say the least. Luckily I’m not the kind to give up so easily and I have still managed to have some epic days on the river lately.
Some people might pull up to their favorite fishing spot, notice the white caps on the surface of the water as the wind sails downstream, and think fly fishing in that would be impossible. I look at it as a challenge and ask myself, how can I make the wind work for me? Depending on what direction it’s blowing, you would be amazed on how much the wind can actually help! If it’s blowing from your back, all you might have to do is make a roll cast and watch the wind sail it across the river with little effort. Alternatively, say it is blowing downstream; I like to stand at the very top end of a run, flick my line out and let that sucker drift downstream right through the run, pulling my line out as much as I can to get that long drift with minimal casting and mending.
Most of my best days fishing have been in the crappiest weather. I cherish every minute I’m out there, even if the weather sucks or not. It’s all in how bad you want it I suppose, and how willing you are to test your abilities. I’m always up for a challenge, and if I sat around waiting for the weather to cooperate, I would never go fishing. I’d be waiting forever. And I just don’t have time for that!