Western Montana fishing report: Making the most of runoff season

As is the case during most springs, many of our local streams resemble something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Like a golden ticket, fish are difficult to find unless you know exactly where to look.

Sure, there are fish to be caught. You’ll likely have to use more utilitarian techniques – or even lead weights (gasp) – to get your fly deep enough in order to dredge them out of deep holes.

With water ripping at thousands of cubic feet per second faster than normal in some cases, a day on the river hardly resembles peace and tranquility many anglers desire.

This leaves us with a few options. Two are obvious.

Anglers are catching rainbow trout fishing at Holter Reservoir in this file photo. Lakes and reservoirs can offer great angling opportunities while rivers are unfishable due to runoff. 

BRETT FRENCH, Billings Gazette

Checking out a local lake, pond or reservoir will be an obvious choice once you read the reports below. With big rainbow trout cruising the shorelines this time of year, there are some fun fishing opportunities to be had.

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