There I was, skiing behind the house with my wife Anni and my friend Shawn. We were at Kattle Guard Bowl, our own private ski-run, up South Meadow Creek. You have to walk to the top of the run but once you get there it’s never crowded. By the time we started our second run, the temperature had risen to well above freezing and the ski conditions quickly turned.
The Call of the Wild
As we struggled down the hill and back to the car, it suddenly dawned on me. Quit fighting it. Sometimes you just have to go fishing. There it was, the first sign of spring spawning a deep desire to catch a fish. Thoughts of fresh blown powder were instantly replaced by visions of 20-inch rainbows viciously slashing small wooly buggers near the surface. Wow! I really love when that happens!
So where do you go when you really need to catch a big fish? Well for me it’s my back yard. Ennis Lake! There are several fresh water springs seeping out of the bluff near where I live, but in warmer weather about a 20-foot stretch of the Ennis remains open.
Read More Top Locations for a Couple Hours of Fishing in Ennis
I figured what the heck. It’s close to home, a low energy investment. We might as well give it a try. The three of us loaded up the dogs along with all our ski equipment, and raced home for a complete retooling. Since it had been a while since we last fished, it took some time to change gear, but we accomplished it.
As we approached the shore, a pair of swans voiced their displeasure at our arrival, hoping we might leave. There was no way that was happening since I was certain I’d seen a wake in the water.
A Lesson in Patience
Presence confirmed, Shawn’s rod doubled over on his second cast as he reeled in a nice, 16-inch rainbow. Five casts later it was Anni’s turn - she landed another nice bow. Thirty minutes into it Shawn had net 5 and Anni 3, whileI still hadn’t had a strike.
Really? Me? I thought I was a fishing genius. Oh well, I had to swallow my pride and go beg for the right fly for this particular kind of day. Anni was throwing the size 12 bugger up onto the ice, then mending it off and letting it sink all the way into the mud before a super slow strip brought the fish in, bouncing off the bottom. Picky fish.
Read More Strategies for Winter Fly Fishing in Montana
If you didn’t precisely follow the recipe you wouldn’t get a strike. I proved it. Just goes to show. Sometimes you have to “crack the code” to get results. Once I got with the program I quickly landed 3 rainbows, including this 22-inch beauty. So don’t be afraid to listen to your gut. Sometimes you just have to go fishing.
Check out the Yobi Fishing Reports for Current Fishing Conditions in Montana