The Hike:
My friend Rod Jude, who I stayed with while visiting Big Sky, MT suggested that I take a day off from fishing and go on a hike with him on one of the innumerable trails in the Gallatin National Forest. This guy gets up at 5 am every morning for a 5 mile walk just to limber up. What was I thinking when I agreed to this hike?
Storm Castle Trail
So we packed a lunch, compass, water, bear spray, and GPS and off we went down the canyon in the car to the Storm Castle Trail head. (Bear spray??)
This trail is a medium hike of 5 miles, but what Rod neglected to tell me was that it is almost straight up the whole 2 ½ miles. Storm Castle is a rock outcrop on top of a mountain and from the canyon floor it looks formidable. The trail is a series of switch backs at a 20 to 30 degree incline that did not do my old legs any favors. Luckily this was Rod’s first major hike of the season and he was not fairing much better than I. On the way up you go thru several levels of forest as the accent is over 2000 ft with snow on the upper levels.
About half way up we paused for one of the many “catch our breath moments,” and to my right I saw a beautiful bird on the forest floor. When I later looked it up, it turned out to be a Hungarian Grey Partridge or Hun for short. I read that these birds were introduced to the area back in the 1990s, and are now thriving. This particular bird was prancing around with all its tail feathers fanned out – evidently courting some unseen female bird. Sheesh! The things us guys do to attract females!
Switchbacks
Rod on Storm Castle Trail
Finally, close to the top we entered a snowy forest and Thank God air conditioning because I was sweating by now and drinking lots of water. The top was finally in sight. Rod sat with his legs hanging over the precipice like there was nothing to it. I on the other hand remained well back clutching on to a large boulder. The view from up there was spectacular; cars passing through the canyon below looked like toys.
We sat there for a good hour visiting with another group of hikers and having our lunch. Also joining us was a rather bold chipmunk and from his reaction to us I don’t think we where the first group that he joined for lunch. When I found a tick crawling on my neck we decided to head back down the mountain. Compared to the trip up the downward trek was a piece of cake, but the next day I was hobbling around on sore legs.
The peak at Storm Castle Trail
Steve from Bozeman sent me an email today with a terrific report and pictures from the opening day of the Firehole River in Yellowstone Park. It was great to hear from him. Look at those rainbows!
Hi Vic,
I met you at $3 Bridge on the Madison. This is opening day, Saturday May 29, in Yellowstone Park on the Firehole River. It snowed, hailed, and rained, but the fishing was great.
In the morning they were taking soft hackle pheasant tail and the afternoon a hatch of big #14 baetis came off. This is my son using a 3 weight fiberglass rod he built. Most of the fish were 8-12 inch rainbows. Lots of bison, so you had to watch where you stepped.
On Memorial Day we floated the Missouri River from Craig to Mid-canyon and got some really big rainbows and browns. They were going after San Juan Worms and baetis nymphs. This is my son and grandson. Hope you had a good trip back to Maryland.
Steve
Bozeman, MT.
Fishermen on the Madison
The morning started out cold with temps around 30 degrees but was to warm up to 65 later in the day. I had decided to fish the Madison because the Gallatin had turned cloudy due to warmer weather and snow run off.
It was a perfect day for a trip up the road on Hwy 191 thru the Yellowstone Park to 287 toward Hebgen lake. This route borders both the Hebgen and Quake lakes finally running along the Madison river. One half of Lake Hebgen is still covered with ice but that did not deter the 5 or 6 boats out trolling for brown trout, also saw some fisherman trying their luck from shore.
Hebgen Lake
Stopped at a fly shop down below both lakes called the Slide Inn to pick up some flies and find out the best way to fish the river. John an employee at the shop was very helpful and seemed genuinely pleased to give me the low down on fishing the Madison After picking up a few flies and a new leader I was off to try my luck.
Madison River is wider than the Gallatin with open water surrounded by ranch land in a lot of areas, meaning that you are able to make back casts without ending up in the trees – in my case this was a blessing. Fishing this river is also different than the Gallatin in that you are often blind casting to the fish with the use of a strike indicator (a floating marker 4-5 ft up from your fly). This lets you know when to set the hook .
Brown Trout on Madison
The trout in this river average 14 to 20 inches with the rare monster now and then. Also, the vistas from the river are amazing with the mountains as your back drop, this part of the country gives you a feeling of how lucky we are to have such beauty within our borders. Look at the pictures and if you need more information on this Blue Label trout stream send me an e mail.
Next up: I take a break from fishing and hike up to Storm Castle Rock, so stay tuned!
Bridge over the Madison River
Happy Hour Bar
Duct Tape - The Fisherman's Friend
Calling all Fishermen! I welcome all comments or photos about your own fishing experiences. Or, feel free to weigh in on mine. There’s a comment section at the end of each posting – click on the link to add the comment. Or, you can email me at vicbarothy@yahoo.com. If you’d like to send along photos, just attach them to an email, and I’ll make sure they get posted.
