Madison, Big Hole, McCoy Spring Creek In Montana Get Good Reviews

Article Date: June 2009

Two subscribers checked in this month with reports on early-season trout fishing in Montana. The first is from Bill Nevins, who fished the Madison and Big Hole rivers and McCoy Spring creek from April 6 to 10 this spring with Lilly & Kemph Outfitting out of Twin Bridges. He reports catching more than 10 fish each day, including a five-pound rainbow. Nevins reports that the fish were taking various nymphs and some Skwala-imitating dries. "Excellent guiding, excellent early season fishing on many rivers at a good price," he writes. "I especially enjoyed McCoy Spring Creek." He gives the price of his trip as $1,500.

The second report is from subscriber George Fielding, who also fished the Big Horn River in mid April, but he stayed at a place called Forrester's Big Horn, an Orvis-endorsed facility with a glowing recommendation from former Vice President Dick Cheney prominently displayed on the home page of their website. Not surprisingly, Fielding gives the accommodations and guiding an across-the board excellent rating. Fielding fished with guide Dale Davisson and describes the fishing as mainly wading with some floatfishing in the longer runs.

"There were lots of fish rising to midges all day, but we mostly nymphed riffles until the baetis hatch between 1 and 3 p.m.," he writes. "The midges got the fish going at about 6 p.m., with fish rising strongly in pods, especially in the last hour before sundown. Two of us averaged about 20 fish each per day. Most of the fish were 15 to 18 inches long. We had three over 20 inches. As for the lodge, it is a beautiful place, right on a great river with great food, in-tune guides and tons of fish to be caught nymphing and on dries."

(Postscript: Fielding gives the cost of his trip a........(continued)

CONTACT DETAILS FOR COMPANIES/INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN ARTICLE (if any)

Lilly and Kemph Outfitting. 270 Tuke Lane. Twin Bridges, MT, 59754. Tel. 406-925-0500. E-mail: lkoutfitting@3rivers.net, Web: www.lkoutfitting.com

Forrester's Bighorn River Resort. P.O. Box 7595. Fort Smith, Montana, 59035. Tel. 800-665-3799. E-mail: www.forrestersbighorn.com