A Case To Be Made For Neoprenes

[ScottP]

Restocked the pantry, did some laundry, helped a friend build his patio, then headed back out again. Time to see if all the 8oz tube of Aquaseal I used on my waders (thanks Simms) plugged all the leaks. Flathead is starting to come up but still not much color to it




Passing Marias (Pass)




Decent snowpack; fingers crossed for a continuation of the cool spring we?ve had so far




Rolling backup




With runoff starting, I figure I have 3 options - tailwater, spring creek and stillwater. Waiting for the above leviathan to clear the highway, I make a command decision (Rock-Paper-Scissors) and stillwater wins. A bit of a gamble since I?m not sure if the ice has come off yet.


The road in is not very rutted and the scenery is pleasant




And this is even nicer.




A quick peek from the high ground and I find a pod of fish trying to procreate. Doesn?t show well in this light but there are anywhere from 3-6 ?bows swimming around those rocks on the right center side of the pic




Only took about 100 casts and 3 fly changes but finally connect with a fat hen; there would be no hunger in the lodge tonite (figuratively speaking; she goes right back in)




One more bump and that?s a wrap. I also quickly find that I need a bit more Aquaseal on some seams on the right leg

Time to see what the tailwater has to offer. Score my favorite site again. Lack of others is not a surprise; they?re pumping a lot of water thru the dam and wading venues are somewhat limited




Amazing; I usually have to donate a roll or two to the campground crapper. Montana FWP must be flush with cash this year

[ScottP]

Off to search for slow inside seams (A.K.A. whitefish water)




This place is usually productive (interesting, no one else is here, although there were 2 other rigs in the parking lot)




And it is; all on a Zebra








2 hours of this and my legs no longer seem attached to my body (I check the flow data later and it reads 41; feels a hell of lot colder than that). The siren goes off once; more water coming thru the gates and the fishing pretty much shuts down for me (the fleet wasn’t doing much either up in the bathtub).


Next morning




This just doesn’t seem right




I swallow my pride and ask them to tell me where the bugs are (huge surprise, I never see a single fish up; they’re holding on to the rocks with all their fins to keep from being swept down to Ft. Peck)




Nobody here, and I’m not that early




Walking the bank, looking for spawners (always like to know how the next generation stacks up)

[ScottP]

There?s about 10 lined up here




Back up to the frogwater



Again, they?re interested in Zebras (color doesn?t seem to matter; red, black, purple and brown all worked)




Siren goes off 3 times while I?m here; if this keeps up I?ll be casting from the road. Decide to stroll up above the wire to see what?s going on; this is 10,500 cfs




What a waste; walleye and caviar combo platter




Hail to the King




Time to move on




Part of the Triad; as common as grain silos on the Highline here




Something a little more intimate; water is in good shape

[ScottP]

Bugs are out




But fish are few and far between




Next day is even less productive; still, a pretty place to get skunked, and the water leaking into my right leg is a balmy 52 degrees








One more stop out in the big open




Nice spot; good orientation for solar collection




Prickle pigs




Nice water

[ScottP]

Only a bump in the runs, so I try light to dark, shallow to deep




And find the whitey hole; again the Zebra rules



Welcome to Deadsh.t Creek







I would love to latch on to a live one of these




Next morning I climb the hills to take in the view. No sense fishing too early; water temps are in the 30?s and that leak in the waders is no better





Lots of these in the stubble

[ScottP]

Hoodoos, prickly pear and grouse scat (I flushed a pair of sharpies on the way up); a prairie hat trick








Back on the water I score another whitey in faster stuff




next cast it’s something different; this time it’s the scud they prefer






Evening comes and the wind lays down; just me and the owls to enjoy it




They’re still hooting in the morning when the moon goes down




Time to point the rig back to the Flathead and patch the rest of those leaks




Regards,
Scott

[xfishcop]

Scott,
Great photos. Thanks for taking us along.
What is the length of your Casita? Do you have a toilet in yours? My wife needs to use the john regularly since her colon surgery. Does the trailer pull OK with your Tundra, I have a 2003. Thinking that a Casita would be pretty cool.
Thanks Dick

[ScottP]

Dick,

You’re very welcome. Here's some interior shots of the Casita


double bed (remove the mattress and it becomes a dinette)




2 burner stove (propane); sinks covered by cutting board




table & seats (where we usually eat if the weather's bad); also converts to a single bed




decent sized fridge (runs on propane, land power or power from the truck hookup); has a small freezer section up top that does work






bathroom - toilet, sink and showerhead (not shown); 6 gallon water heater tank




A/C/heater (also has a separate propane-powered heater)




2 propane tanks




awning




Most of the comforts of home. A bit light on storage space but that's more of a problem for my wife than me; I pack very light.
It tows fine with our Tundra (2006 with 233k miles).

Scott