Before I get into Matt McClure and my (Kenny Klimes) annual fly-fishing trip, I want to give a “Huge” shout out to Lawrence Steumke, Matt’s cousin, who guided us throughout our entire Montana trip. Thanks to Lawrence for guiding, rowing, and especially teaching me Spey fishing!
Matt and I always take “our” annual trip in the Spring, usually to Colorado. But this time we changed it up and headed to Montana to fish with Lawrence in the Bozeman area. We have been taking our trip later and later each year trying to get to Spring type weather vice Winter weather. This time – it just did not happen – again. The weather killed us this year again as we had snow, cold, and wind three of the four fishing days. BUT that did not stop us as we still had a great trip.
Our first day we hit the Gallatin River. Lawrence took us on a long hike through the woods to get to his favorite spots. Immediately, I hit on fish with ESN rod and flies. Three rainbows and at least fifteen big white fish. Come on now – they are part of the trout family! It’s Montana’s state fish! Matt and Lawrence did well too with their Spey rods.
On Day two we fished and floated the Madison River. It was tough as the weather turned on us. Matt caught the most fish and everyone else had one – but we all worked extremely hard for the few we caught. We would float and stop to wade and then float some more. Thanks to Lawrence who rowed for me while Matt was in his small craft. It was a great float with beautiful scenery.
On day three we started late as we only fished for about three hours. It was because we were worn out and needed a small break. We fished on the Madison River along the shoreline of a friend of Lawrence’s. There were some great holes, but the weather became increasingly colder, and the water temperatures did the same. The fish were there but just seemed lethargic. Matt caught the most (3-4) and unbelievably, Kenny got skunked. BUT we did get to see an impressive aerial combat display between two Osprey and a Bald Eagle (you know they are not really bald —- those are feathers). At one point the eagle and osprey locked talons and spun to the water before releasing each other to fly off. Incredible display of nature!
On day four we were going to do a long float on the Yellowstone River. Yes, the weather even got worse. It snowed most of the day and even though we dressed for it, we were still cold! We fished using Spey rods and throwing streamers. We were hoping that a brown or two would decide to chase our streamers. We made MANY casts and tagged into only a few fish. Matt caught about three, Kenny had one brown (his first on a Spey rod) and Lawrence tagged into the biggest fish of the trip a 21-inch brown trout on his Spey rod. Did I say it was COLD and Snowing? Matt called Uncle first and then Kenny followed shortly thereafter. We had to pull Lawrence off the water as he thought he had one more big trout in his day. Didn’t happen so we floated to the takeout spot and headed “home.”
Matt and I said our goodbyes to Lawrence whose hospitality was awesome. He took care of us each day and worked hard to get us on to fish. The weather just would not cooperate. We packed up and made it home to STL without a hitch. So, Matt and I have a decision to make for next year’s trip. We are thinking of heading to warmer climate. Belize? Maybe not but somewhere in the southern U.S. I have an idea on where to go next!!!
