Nate O Taylor

Food, Fishing, and Outdoor Adventures

A Day with Dad

June 7, 2016 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

Rock Creek sits just outside of Missoula and is renowned for its incredible hatches and unbridled access throughout the valley that it runs through. In May the Salmonflies start moving up the river, followed by the Golden Stoneflies, Green Drakes, & Caddisflies just to name a few. We stopped at the Mercantile, where as a boy I remembered the late Doug Persico smoking a cigar on the front porch, pontificating his thoughts to all those who would listen. Doug could tie a hell of a fly pattern, and if you are in the area you should read his rants before you stop by the shop.

A Shop Recommendation

A Shop Recommendation

The Put In

The Put In

My father insisted that I take the helm to start the day and it didn’t take long for a few fish to look up toward our dries. Salmonflies were everywhere, a quick look to the sky and thousands of them were flying through the air, and millions more were hanging from the bushes. With the water clarity at mid summer quality the fish were feverishly attacking our dry fly offerings.

Salmonflies

Salmonflies

Give Me a Double Dry

Give Me a Double Dry

After a few decades of having my father row me down the rivers of Western Montana I was able to repay part of the favor, and row him down the river on one of the best days we have ever had together.

Brown

Brown

Cutthroat

Cutthroat

The War Zone is an area of the river that can act as a dividing line on the river during certain years. This year there is a particularly nasty log jam that discouraged many people from passing through it. The strainer appeared to be river wide and the consequences looked to be life threatening. We portaged the boat up and over a few logs and after a brief rest with a beer we could continue on our journey.

The War Zone

The War Zone

 

We arrived at the takeout and while our vehicle was there, the trailer that was to be attached to it was not. Lying on the ground was the hitch, the ball disconnected and a note on the dashboard.

Your Trailer is Broken

Your Trailer is Broken

Turns out years of wear had taken its toll and the unforgiving road of Rock Creek had finally defeated the hardened steel of the hitch. My father left the take out with the note and a few tools to repair the trailer. The journey was nearly 15 miles in each direction on a road that was advisable to approach at speeds less than 10 mph. I sat at the takeout talking with an old timer, a retired guide who told me stories of great fish on the legendary rivers of Montana. Despite his age he recalled days 30 years ago like they were the fresh memories of a young man. We waited together for nearly an hour as his group was running their own shuttle. They arrived just ahead of my dad and loaded their raft on a true Montana fishing vehicle.

Montana Fishing Vehicle

Montana Fishing Vehicle

I will always come back, but rarely am I fortunate enough to time my arrival with the migration of the bugs. It may be years before it happens again but for now I am glad that I was able to do it this year with my father in tow.

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: Double Dries, Floating, Rock Creek, Salmonflies

Adventures on a Rocky Creek

June 25, 2010 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

In an attempt to extend the salmonfly season I ventured off with my father to search for what might be the last fishable salmonfly hatch of 2010 (for me). With the state preparing to close the river for floating in the next several days it was our best shot to cover all of the water we could and coax a couple dumb trout to some huge bugs.

The bigger the better

This plan was by no means ill-conceived. In fact, I was currently batting 3/3 over the last 3 seasons on this same weekend and was hoping to continue my pursuit towards DiMaggio’s record with another crushing victory. Mother nature hadn’t been cooperating in the preceding weeks with unseasonably cool weather and an abundance of rain that kept the water cold and high. The day began slow, but not unusually so. We picked up a couple fish out of the gate at 9am and I was confident we were on our way to at least an easy bloop single. After 3 cigars, and a Vitamin Water Acai Berry we decided to take lunch early to allow the water to warm slightly and give us the largest window for trout activity.

Anyone climb?

Just as I was pulling into second base and getting ready to turn on the jets for yet another homer, disaster struck. Clouds blew in, (and obviously wind…I said they blew in) and the rain began. For about an hour we battled the elements as the temperature dropped what seemed like 25 degrees instantly. Then, just as quickly as it began it was over, sunlight returned and my confidence was restored. Unfortunately this cycle repeated itself continuously for the next 5 hours. This put a substantial damper on our fish count for the day but not my ego. It by no means put a halt to my pursuit towards DiMaggio, but it was the equivalent of going 1-4 with a single that should have been scored a fielders choice. This river usually gives it up in spades, and is like a crack addict with no self control. Generally if they see anything thats absorbing sunlight on the surface they will just attack it. I guess when you’re starving from being under the ice for the better part of 6 months anything looks good. While not entirely the case today I’ll take it, along with a grip load of guys like this.

Keeping the streak alive

Filed Under: Summer Tagged With: Floating, Montana, rafting, Rock Creek, Salmonflies

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