Creekin'

ianpadron

Steelhead
I've been spending most of my evenings after work exploring the new backyard in NW Montana. Dozens of creeks/rivers you'll never read about in a magazine, and most of them overflowing with wild trout.

I caught my first trout on a creek in Northern Wisconsin about 20 years ago, and to this day, creekin' is still my favorite form of fly fishing.

No coordinating a shuttle, or wondering what rods to bring, just load up the dogs, string up the 2 weight and go explore for a few hours.

Every fish puts a big bend in the rod and a bigger smile on my face, and reminds a fella how important it is to keep that boyhood level stoke alive and well.

Here are some photos from one of my new favorite places, lots of 8-10" brookies and rainbows, with the occasional hawgzilla (by creek standards) thrown in to keep things interesting. Last week I fished a golden stone hatch every single night that kicked off at 8:32 sharp.

Size 14 hi viz micro chub with a yellow/gold body was the not so secret sauce.

I have yet to see another angler and probably never will. Good shit.


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ianpadron

Steelhead
Creekin' continued...

been fishing a new spot now that my old go-to is too warm.

First few trips out lots of small fish but so much good water and deep holding pools I was determined to keep exploring and experimenting.

Got into some 12-13" fish the other day stripping buggers on my 1 wt and was pretty satisfied with the size of those fish until...

I took an entire day to hike into the farthest water on the system, and found some absolute bruisers.

Landed 6 legitimate 16-18" cutties, all on a purple high vis micro chub, with my 8'1" 1 wt. Sage SPL

Most epic day of fishing I've ever had, just straight up bonkers.

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Matt B

RAMONES
Forum Supporter
Creekin' continued...

been fishing a new spot now that my old go-to is too warm.

First few trips out lots of small fish but so much good water and deep holding pools I was determined to keep exploring and experimenting.

Got into some 12-13" fish the other day stripping buggers on my 1 wt and was pretty satisfied with the size of those fish until...

I took an entire day to hike into the farthest water on the system, and found some absolute bruisers.

Landed 6 legitimate 16-18" cutties, all on a purple high vis micro chub, with my 8'1" 1 wt. Sage SPL

Most epic day of fishing I've ever had, just straight up bonkers.

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Killer! And you were prepared for it with that big ol' net!
 

Eastside

Life of the Party
Forum Supporter
I need to start bringing my Nomad net creekin' for scale. The bigger net was definitely necessary today, even used it as a crowbar to snap a branch that one of those lunkers wrapped himself around in a log jam 🤣
I just bought a Nomad net with gift certificates to my favorite fly shop from my children. Shop owners commented on how well trained my family is. :cool:
 

Josh

Dead in the water
Staff member
Admin
Awesome photos and reports.

But I find myself envious that “small creek where you won’t see another person” fish can get those size. They’d be 6-8in here in western WA. If you found a 12in fish, you’d be bragging about it for weeks.
 

Pink Nighty

Life of the Party
Awesome photos and reports.

But I find myself envious that “small creek where you won’t see another person” fish can get those size. They’d be 6-8in here in western WA. If you found a 12in fish, you’d be bragging about it for
Theres a trib up north we should wade sometime. I'll try and get eyes on it and see its condition. Once upon a time it held 16" cutts for 12 year old boys all summer until the fall rains blew it out.
 
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