When you think of fishing for trout, the state of Montana more than likely at least crosses your mind. Montana has long been known as a great place for trout fishing, heck movies have even been made about Montana trout fishing (ever heard of A River Runs Through It?) The state of Montana and trout fishing go together like a hand and a glove, there’s no doubt about it.
At the end of the day, trout are what brought me to the great state of Montana after years of bouncing around the country in search of good small river fishing. The unfortunate thing about Montana trout fishing is that the focus (as is the case with trout fishing in general) is almost always on fly fishing. Now there is nothing wrong with fly fishing, but I’ve never personally cared for it at all. I love to fish for trout, but don’t like to do it by waving feathers in the air.
More than 20 years ago, my river fishing mentor called fly fishermen “flea flickers”, which I tend to agree with. In this article I’m going to provide you with three things to remember when fishing for trout in river or streams anywhere in the world, and none of the tips will have anything to do with feathers. The trout fishing tips in this article are for the hundreds of thousands of traditional anglers out there who choose not to fly fish.
Check The Regulations – When fishing for trout anywhere, regulations vary from river to river, and even from stretch to stretch within certain rivers. Some rivers are designated exclusively for fly fishing (a “law” that I’ve never understood) or artificial lures, and slot limits could be in place. The point is that when trout fishing, make sure you read the licensing book so you know the rules on the water that you’re fishing. Do Research Beforehand – trout fishing can be a bit difficult in certain areas without the help of things like drift boats and/or rafts. Many of the “blue ribbon” trout rivers are quite large and all but impossible to fish effectively without the help of a drift boat and/or raft. This is why doing research before going fishing in Montana is a great idea. You want to have an idea of what you’re going to be dealing with before heading out. This tip is actually a great tip for any new fishing area. Have An Effective Bait Carrier – Many of the trout rivers that need to be waded (this is the kind of river that I personally prefer) can be quite remote. Especially after you work your way a mile or two up or downstream. This is why having an effective bait carrier is a great idea when fishing for trout in Montana. Having an effective way to carry your bait means that your bait is always right where you need it so you can concentrate on fishing, and enjoying the scenery that trout fishing has to offer.
Keep these 3 things in mind and your Montana trout fishing trip will be much more enjoyable. All I know is that in 25 years of fishing for trout, I’ve personally never experienced more beautiful trout or fishing scenery that most trout fishing has to offer, and I’m able to experience all of this without waving a single feather in the air. Who would have thought such a thing was possible?