Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Early Morning Fishing in the the Pintler Range

Coffee sloshing, I left at 5am for the Anaconda-Pintler mountains, 15 miles to the west. I had woken at 4:30, hungry, and got it into my mind a breakfast of fried brook trout was what I wanted. 45 minutes later I got to the place where I knew had abundant numbers of the things, a tributary of the Big Hole, around 7,000 ft elevation. It was just as the sun was hitting the meadow, it had rained the previous evening and a few wisps of clouds and mist clung to the doug firs.






If you look closely mid-way down on the left, the stream is visible. Notellum creek I call it. It has another, real name, but it's my place, so.....

I have been here many times over the years, sometimes with one of my girls when they were visiting. I've seen moose before, it's a springtime calving area. And once I saw a grizzly, loping away up into the timber.

I rigged my dad's bamboo rod, this is about the only place I'll use it, it's 80 or so years old, and I don't like to strain it against larger fish. Half an hour later I had two of these and walked out.





Probably the only trout I'll keep this year, and a fine breakfast it was.
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23 comments:

  1. SteveJuly 2, 2014 at 8:58 AM

    Very nice. I envy you.

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    Replies
    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 10:37 AM

      Hey Steve
      Yeah, they don't call Montana 'the last best place' for nothing.

      Delete
  2. The CrowJuly 2, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    I am homesick for a place I've never been, because of your photos.

    That fish is beautiful, Mike, and your photo worthy of a fishing magazine. What is this trout called? Besides breakfast, I mean. :-)

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      This one was named Silas, Martha.
      Seriously folks......it's a brook trout, an introduced species here.

      Delete
    2. The CrowJuly 2, 2014 at 10:48 AM

      I must learn to read more carefully - brook trout, you said.

      Delete
  3. Joanne NoragonJuly 2, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    How romantically fulfilling. I get out of bed to eat breakfast; this would count as brunch. However, I cannot be a killjoy about the beautiful morning mountain mist.

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 10:39 AM

      Embrace it, Joanne (being a killjoy), you do it better than anyone I read.

      Delete
  4. KateJuly 2, 2014 at 11:33 AM

    The only way you could tempt me back to camping is if you promised me fried freshly caught trout for breakfast. my mouth waters at the though.

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 6:17 PM

      Remember the backpacking trip you went on when you were either 5 or 6? Down into the Minam River, a descent of about 1500 feet, and along the river up and down for 15 miles or so, for 5 days. You carried your own backpack and sleeping bag. One day we were single file on the trail, a frightened deer dashed between us, followed seconds later by a mountain lion. Neither looked at us as they passed.
      We had a lot of fun, kid. And you ate a lot of trout for breakfast.

      Delete
  5. joehJuly 2, 2014 at 1:35 PM

    If I wanted to eat that well I'm guessing it would cost me several thousand dollars. Hmmm, I think it just might be worth it.

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 6:20 PM

      Well, let's see.....you live somewhere in the south? Probably 2 grand for a round trip ticket to my little town, less to the larger towns nearby.
      You must have some equivent nearby....fresh ocean fish? as good or better than brookies.
      Best breakfast I've ever had was on the beach in Thailand, a fried fish smothered in a sweet chili sauce, over rice.

      Delete
  6. troutbirderJuly 2, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    Brookies are the best, most colorful and best tasting. Sad becoming very rare here in Bluff Country. Browns dominate and only remnants remain in the tiny uppermost trickles of water...:(

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 6:22 PM

      Hi TB
      Interesting, because here they are one of the trout species they are trying to eridicate from some streams to protect the few 'native' species, cutthroat, greyling, etc.
      They abound in the upper reaches of the Big Hole, and in the many tributaries. I eat them one or two times a year without compunction.

      Delete
  7. Robbie GreyJuly 2, 2014 at 7:26 PM

    I'm guessing it was a loverly breakfast. That first photograph is pretty mystical. I'd be too busy exploring it to go fishing.

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    Replies
    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 8:12 PM

      Hey Robbie
      Been to this valley many times, all seasons. Up the valley the stream bifurcates, one dies out in a spring, the other goes further up. Moose beds abound, trampled down areas. An old mining cabin, mostly disintegrated is up at the start. Cool place.
      The reason I was here that morning was to kill and eat. I was singled minded.

      Delete
  8. susanJuly 2, 2014 at 7:49 PM

    What a beautiful place. No wonder you keep the location of the stream to yourself. Glad you had such a wonderful breakfast.

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 2, 2014 at 8:15 PM

      I like to think of it as mine, actually I was shown it by someone else, years ago. It's one of many, many places like it up here; we have few people, and so many more 'attractive' places to sports visitors. It's one of the pleasures of living here, I get to know the little known places.

      Delete
  9. WisewebwomanJuly 2, 2014 at 8:56 PM

    Lovely. I love "secret spots". Your pictures tell such a wonderful story.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 3, 2014 at 7:03 AM

      Thanks, www. The funny thing is it's within sight of a road, but few people stop. The surrounding mountains draw their gaze and they drive on by.

      Delete
  10. Geo.July 2, 2014 at 9:31 PM

    I no longer perform well above 4 or 5000 feet but still have my dad's rod and reel on the pumphouse wall. Perhaps I shall find a use for it closer to sea level. Delightful post. My compliments and admiration!

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  11. Pat TillettJuly 3, 2014 at 12:28 AM

    I can hear them sizzling in the frying pan...
    Your secret spot is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Should Fish MoreJuly 3, 2014 at 7:07 AM

      Exactly right, I rolled them in flour and put them in bacon grease. I have to remember how lucky I am to have a place, actually many places, so close to me.
      Even with the drawbacks to living in a small town, I like that moose wander into town and I've seen a herd of antelope on the hillside above my house.

      Delete

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