Positive the headline sounds violent and foreboding. However, I guarantee you, it isn’t.

Permit me to elucidate: a hippie stomper is a lure utilized by fly fisher individuals. It’s a stimulator sample used to draw hesitant fish. The colourful flash and rubber legs ring the dinner bell for hungry fish; on which extra under.

Fly fishing in Montana is considerably a special beast than it’s in Michigan. I don’t journey to Montana as a result of the fishing is best (though it may be), however the surroundings and prey provide a range you miss if you happen to head out to the Mitten State’s trout streams practically each weekend as I do. Cutthroats caught from a quick flowing river within the shadows of the Bitterroot Mountains aren’t one thing you’ll go up willingly.

So, I acted on the invites I obtained from two totally different unacquainted mates to affix them right here in Montana. The primary week is with a former boss well-versed in world journey and economics. In two days, I’ll be becoming a member of a bunch that features my pal Ben Lockerd, a whiz child on the poetry of T.S. Eliot. Since arriving right here I obtained one other invitation from a detailed pal from highschool who lives right here.

Driving out right here was principally uneventful. The Underground Storage deejays on Sirius XM saved me firm with an amazing mixture of music previous and new.

My first full day of driving discovered me in northern Wisconsin, the place I noticed a mom bear cross the street in entrance of me. She was adopted by two cubs. It was an attractive sight, however not practically as spectacular because the moose cow that wandered into my campsite north of Anaconda two nights later.

I arrived in Phillipsburg Tuesday morning, simply in time to see the native bakery open up. I grabbed a scorching breakfast sandwich and a cup of espresso earlier than venturing ahead the ultimate 20 miles to the cabin rented by my buddy. It didn’t take lengthy earlier than I used to be suited up in waders, chest pack and fortunate fishing hat and in the midst of Rock Creek. A number of moments later, I used to be reeling in a couple of good brown trout

Nothing ready me for my Wednesday night rating, nevertheless. A number of small trout made their approach into my internet, however nothing to brag about. That’s after I modified the grasshopper I used to be utilizing to the hippie stomper. The primary forged of this little, lovely bug noticed my 7 wt. rod bend practically in half with the sheer energy of the 21 inch brown trout patrolling the pool in entrance of a submerged fallen tree. It was wonderful.

On Thursday morning, I used to be out once more at dawn. The temperature was barely above 40 levels and no fish have been rising. I threw beaded nymphs and streamers till my shoulder was sore, however with no luck till I switched out to a tiny little black ant. It did the trick.

The subsequent factor I do know I used to be within the battle of my trip with a monster trout, which wasn’t so long as the earlier night’s practically two footer – however was twice as thick. It was maybe the heaviest haul of a freshwater fish in my complete lifetime. And it was one feisty fish. It fought like a banshee possessed, leaping no less than a foot out of the water in its try and free itself. It swam from the opening the place it had as soon as resided to the center of the stream and again once more, tiring itself out. As a result of I had hooked it on a really small No. 14 hook, I didn’t wish to tug the road too onerous, however labored diligently to maintain the road taut.

I used to be finally profitable, and earned the chilly PBR ready for me again on the cabin.

Bruce Edward Walker ([email protected]) is a Morning Solar columnist.