Montana Report, Part 2- Fishing for Skunks, and Teddy Roosevelt

Thank you for reading this Montana Report, Part 2- Fishing for Skunks, and Teddy Roosevelt. As one might guess from the title, my second week of Montana fishing was not entirely successful.

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After Alex flew home, my decision was to travel east and fish some of the lesser-known streams there. Less pressure, better fishing, right? Great in theory.

Rainbow over the Stillwater River.

My travels brought me to the Stillwater River. At the end of the road was a Forest Service campsite, Woodbine, where I spent two nights. The first evening had rain showers, which produced a nice photo (above). Also, there were some trout rising right under the bridge into the campground. I went down and stuck one immediately, although it jumped off. None of his buddies would touch the fly after that.

A fishing spot on the Stillwater. There were fish there, but I couldn’t catch one.

The morning found me at a fisherman’s access down the river eight miles. A fly fisher was finishing his morning there, unsuccessfully, but he gave me some advice as to places to try. I hit it hard all morning, trying dries, wets, nymphs, and streamers, and did not touch a fish, even though I could sometimes see them swimming in the clear water.

I had read an online article about Rosebud Creek. It was about 45 minutes away, so I decided to try it. When I got there the creek was both tiny and inaccessible, nothing like what I had read about. It was beginning to dawn on me that one of the reasons these streams weren’t fished much was because you can’t get to them. I found a single access on Rosebud Creek, fished one run where the water was flowing much too fast, and decided to try the late afternoon on the Stillwater, at the access I’d tried in the morning.

The first pool had two risers. It only took a couple casts to put them down. The second pool had a couple, too, Again, I put them down. It was cold, and windy, and starting to rain. I bagged it and returned to the campground in a steady rain, after a very thorough skunking.

It rained all night, and was 43 degrees when I woke up. New snow covered the surrounding mountains. A decision was made to get out of the mountains before getting snowed in, and perhaps fish the Clark Fork of the Yellowstone.

A single access was found on the Clark Fork, shallow, muddy, and weedy. It was still cold, windy, and raining. Disappointed in the way things had played out, I didn’t even get out of the car, continuing to I-94, where we headed for Makoshika State Park.

The rain ended just as I arrived.

I bet the tree appreciated the water!

Driving and photography don’t mix.

Mule deer buck at the park.

The park had impressive badlands. More importantly, it wasn’t raining. There was no water to fish there, though, so I put my tackle away. The next morning I drove out early, heading to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Badlands at TRNP.

Bison at TRNP.

TRNP likewise boasts impressive badlands, and herds of bison as well. When trying to get back to my campsite after photographing the sunset, the van was surrounded by a bison herd. I think it was accepted as a herd member- we slowly rolled along with them as they walked down the road, a thrilling experience.

The shallow and muddy Little Missouri River flows through the park.

Badlands in morning light.

More bison!

In the morning I rolled the chariot onto US 2, heading east toward Minnesota. I stopped at the Geographical Center of North America. Yes, I was there, in Rugby, North Dakota!

My next stop was Devil’s Lake State Park, Graham Island Campground, for the night. Apparently, the lake is full of perch and walleye, although no fishing was done by this reporter. A badly needed shower, a trip to the laundromat, and some fajitas at the local Mexican joint, were all welcome diversions.

I write this from Battle Lake, Minnesota, where I am relaxing as a guest of long-time friend Ken Shannon and his bride, Cindy. Ken and I went fishing yesterday in Glendalough State Park, Ken with a spin rod, I with the fly. Pike, largemouth bass, a rock bass, and several sunfish species were all captured. We kept five big sunnies and ate them for supper! Hopefully the weather will allow more fishing during the rest of the week.

That’s my Montana Report, Part 2- Fishing for Skunks, and Teddy Roosevelt. Thanks for reading it!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go for a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

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