| from Deanna Travis September 21, 2009 |
An old friend nearly went into a rant when I mentioned going to fish ‘private
water”. He was adamant about ‘paying to play,’ even though I knew he and
his family went bowling and probably to other venues like a movie or concert.
That’s all pay to play too. There are any number of things we pay to participate
starting with school dances, and sporting events in high school.
This isn’t something new, but for Rich it sure was a burr under his saddle.
I can understand that as a Montanan he feels the hunting and fishing are part
of his ‘rights’ as a citizen of this state. And certainly Montana has enough
hunting and fishing to keep the most active sportsman busy. Some regions aren’t
so fortunate.
Private waters do have their advantages.
Most private waters are usually either small lakes or ponds or stretches of
stream originating from a spring. The springs produce water year round at
the same temperature. In the case of the springs in Paradise Valley Montana,
the water is approximately 52 degrees. Consistent water temps allow for insects
to hatch, pretty much year round. Steady hatches mean the fish have more to
eat, probably easier to eat due to the numbers hatching, and grow very well.
The property owners also have the option to add ‘brood stock’ to the streams
to increase the size or number of fish. One of the ponds I’m familiar with
has changed the type of trout from Rainbows to Kamloops which the owner felt
was a better fighting fish. I’ve only fished for Kamloops trout once, again
from a private lake. They really were a pretty fish, more of a blue color
than the tan background color of rainbows, and they jumped like mad. They
are really a fun fish.
[Editor’s note: Kamloops Trout are a product of environment and not
genetics – they are a variety of Rainbow Trout]
All of the private water I am aware of are catch and release, ‘tho I’m sure
there is some accidental- unintentional kill by fisherman, either in over
playing or releasing the fish. With that and natural predation some restocking
will most likely have to be done. Other things which an angler might not consider
are just maintaining a fishery. The spring creeks in Montana are usually part
of a ranching program. Fences have to be maintained to keep cattle out of
the stream, roads, paths, access to the stream or pond have to be created
and maintained, and someone has to keep track of who and how many people can
or should be on the stream or pond at any one time.
[Editor’s note: Stocking of ponds and small lakes may be necessary
to maintain a viable fishery but stocking of natural spring creeks is seldom
necessary, and, to my knowledge, is not practiced on the spring creeks in
Montana]
I suppose there is some legal liability for owning such an operation as well,
but over all, it isn’t as easy as it might look.
I’ve written about the first time I fished a spring creek in Montana, and
I won’t repeat that here except to say the place itself is known as Armstrong
Spring Creek. (See June 6th, 2005, https://www.flyanglersonline.com/ldy/ldy060605.php****Counting
Noses)
It was and is owned by the O Hare family, and back in the early 70’s when
we first fished it, the family had leased the creek to a group which was put
together I believe by Trout Unlimited. The late Dan Bailey was part of that,
as was Lucky Lager Beer. This lease was an attempt by those involved to keep
public access to a wonderful fishery. If they hadn’t been able to pull the
lease off, the stream would have gone into private hands and no one else would
have been able to fish it. A tragedy for those of us who really love to fish
that kind of water – and who are willing to pay for the privilege
Losing the spring creeks to private use is still a possibility. Maintaining
the streams as I stated above is work. The families are older and it would
be less hassle to just sell the streams off. I have not fished the spring
creeks in the Gallatin Valley (Bozeman) but I’m told they are very similar
to the Paradise Valley creeks. They really are a unique fishery and a wonderful
experience for any fly fisher.
So while Rich may never have the opportunity to experience what he is missing,
the rest of us, if we choose, and go play with the fishes and get our clock
cleaned when they totally outsmart our best casting and fly matching knowledge.
But occasionally, you can actually catch one - or two.
Originally published September 21, 2009 on Fly Anglers Online by Deanna Travis.