Billings Trout

[DonBo]

I know this is a bit early, but will be in the Billings area for a few days this summer and would like to do some trout fishing.

Anyone have suggestions on where I might go?

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

If you have the time I would suggest you make the drive to Ft Smith about 80 miles, I think, and fish the upper Bighorn. There are many fishing access sites to use.

Re post this request later on this summer before you go and I can hook up with you. I will be living out there in about a month and can probably find the time to take you to a couple of my favorite shore fishing spots.

[DonBo]

That would be great! I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

Hey DonBo,

Why don't you shoot an e-mail to slattery434 at hotmail dot com.

and I can give you some more details.

Beginning Wed Feb 27th I will not have computer access for 3 to 4 weeks, and after I get setteled in out in Montana I will be back on line.

[DonBo]

Your email bounced back , I'll post this later in the spring. Don't forget about all of us at FM after you move...

You could email me, address in profile, then I could get back to you as a reply.

[DonBo]

Trip is planned. We will be in Billings early August. Maybe only have one day to spend fishing. Anyone still willing to help me out?

[tbeste]

I just got back this past Monday from spending a couple days on the Bighorn. My Aunt and Uncle live in Hardin, and he has been fishing the bighorn weekly since the river reopened in 1981. I tried and tried with the fly rod but couldn't connect. I had a couple fish on, but none were landed. My cousin caught 3 bows and 2 browns in just over an hour using a san juan with a scud dropper.

We did manage to hook into some 20"+ fish using crawlers, plain hooks, and split shot. We spent all of our time downstream of bighorn access, but within 1-2 miles of the access.

[DonBo]

Not familiar with the area. Is Hardin near Billings? Bighorn access near Harding? Thanks for any additional info.

[tbeste]

Hardin is southeast of Billings about 40 miles. The bighorn access is 23-24 miles upstream (south) of Hardin, just past St.Xavier.

It seems like a long way, but with 70-75 mph speed limits it doesn't take that long to get around.

[DonBo]

Thanks for the info!

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

Hey tbeste,

Who is your aunt and uncle, I live in Hardin. Moved back here in march, after leaving 30 years ago.

How were the water flows when you were out here?, right now the flows are at 7200 cfs and they are uping the flows another 1000 cfs today. Your best bet when the water is flowing this fast is to fish close to the shores. The San Juan worm is one of my favorites, alond with a Big Horn Special streamer.

DonBo,

I have your e-mail addy, I will shoot you a note sometime this weekend.

[tbeste]

They just moved to Hardin in February. Before that they were living in Billings for the past 29+ years.

Denice and Dave Hellekson is the name.

The flows were running right around 5500 when I was out, but they were talking then of raising the flows to 11,000-12,000 before mid summer because of all the snowpack left to melt, and the fact that it has been an abnormally wet spring with rainfall as well.

I would love to make it out again later this summer, but 4 dollar gas might not let that happen. In anticipation I have tied a couple dozen san juans just in case...

Travis

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

I just bought a 23 acre parcel north of town,out by Grant Marsh Fishing Access Site

Aboout the time your aunt and uncle were starting to live in Billings I was leaving Hardin and moving to Minnesota. Left here in '76

Later

[DonBo]

Thanks for the input guys! Sarpy, I'm lookin' fwd to hearing from you.

[DonBo]

I will be fishing probably this weekend. Sunday and/or Monday the 10th and 11th. Probably going to try the Bighorn upsteam from Hardin.

Anyone else have any good ideas?

Thanks!

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

sent you an e-mail with my cell #, give me a call Sat and I'll go with you on Sun.

Sarpy Creek Boy

[DonBo]

Email sent, thanks! I am soooo excited.

[DonBo]

Danny, thanks so much for the trip. It was everything I hoped for, and the company was good too.

Thanks!

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

DonBO,

Good meeting you too. Too bad we couldn't keep any of those rainbows. After I got got home and put my gear away, I started wishing I would have kept a couple of the browns, especially since I was hungry. But I poured myself a big ole glass of milk and finished off the sticky rolls your sister made. MMMMMM Good.

Was going to try to get back out there this coming weekend but I need to build the pump house so they can get water to my place the first week of Sept. Next time you make it out I will have the season pass for the other access site that is up river farther. or maybe by then I'll have my boat ready to go...

Later.

[DonBo]

Sarpy, check out "Thanks to FM" down towards the bottom of page 1 in the Open Water forum.

Good luck on that well...and carefull on those promises, I just may take you up on them! LOL

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

I forgot to ask, how did that Mulie mount turn out?

[DonBo]

Nice! Forgot how big he has. I'll try to get some pictures up week.

[DonBo]

Here's where he's gonna live.

Right next to my bear.