[JoeFish]

I was wondering what the opinions would be about a Fly Fishing trip in June. I will be graduating from College, and my fly fishing buddy will be graduating from High School. We have the option of choosing where we go. The two regions we have somewhat narrowed it down to are Washington State, or Montana. We are from northern Ohio.

Are there Steelhead and Salmon runs in June in Washington? The fishing does not require spey flies and traditional type flies does it? (If so id better learn those, the majority of our flies are great lakes steelhead flies, and traditional trout flies) how good is the trout fishing in the rest of the state?

In Montana, what are the major trout destinations? Yellowstone right?

We would have maybe a max of 2 weeks, but probably at least a week. My 8wt rod is a 2 piece rod, is it difficult to transport this on a plane, I just got a 4 piece 5wt as well, so that should be ok.

What other types of equipment would be necessary?

[nightfish]

I've never fished in Washington, so I can't offer any help with that. But the Montana/Yellowstone area is almost my backyard (like, down the block & just past the 7-11 ) The 8 wt would be overkill, but the 5 is perfect.

For Montana in June, you can expect anywhere between summer & early spring temps, and rain gear is probably a good idea, esp in the Park (snow is possible). That early, Slough Creek, Lamar & the Yellowstone will be blown with runoff, but there's lots of other places...the Firehole is good in June, and would be a scenic experience you'd never forget. You could even participate in the Fly Fishing for Science program, and work as a "fish procurement specialist" for the biologists (at that time of year, you'd likely be trying to catch & tag grayling).

Lots of water in Montana around the park, and don't forget about Henry's Fork in Idaho. Major montana destinations are the Madison, the Gallatin, the Yellowstone, some lake fishing in Henry's & Quake lakes, and a buttload of other places. Runoff will affect what's doable though.

June has a large variety of hatches...everything from midges and BWO's to green drakes and salmonflies, plus some spectacular caddis action. End of the month starts the terrestrial season.

Best place to fly into would probably be Bozeman, but you may find a better rate on airfare into Salt Lake, which is about a 5 hr drive from West Yellowstone.

good luck, & feel free to email me

[JoeFish]

thanks for the reply nightfish, it would be awesome to live just minutes away from these locations. when im down at school in Dayton, oh, im 45 mins to the mad, and when im at home in northern ohio, im still 45 mins away from the steelhead rivers.

last weekend when i went home, i went through two tanks of gas, and didnt catch a thing!


lots of great information. now i just need to hear from someone about Washington.

[nightfish]

Well, I'm not quite minutes away...I'm in Salt Lake...5 hrs away (maybe longer, now that I've gotten my 3rd speeding warning in a month ...Oddly enough, they seem to come after my girlfriend makes me watch a NASCAR race)

But in relative terms, I'm pretty close, & I get up there at least a few times a year.


2 tanks of gas in a weekend? That isn't so bad. Last year alone I logged 30,000 mostly fishing related miles, including one week of 2,500 miles thru UT & CO. At 16.4 avg MPG, that's almost 2 tanks per week, EVERY WEEK!!!


Anyway, for WA advice, ask Steelheader69. That's his homewater.

[ShadowNix]

Hey man,

Talk to steelheader69...he lives in WA. I will be moving there in June, but of course I won't know the waters yet. Check out the WA websites... (http://wdfw.wa.gov) there are some salmon runs on the Columbia mid-late summer, but June may be a bit early. There ARE some nice (by report) mountain lakes with kokanee (landlocked salmon), cuts, dollyvarden, golden, etc. There is also a website for this...let me look... I think I have it.. yep http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreachfishing/highlake . The pdf on this site has a nice listing of hike to lakes, drive in, etc. by county, as well as varieties of trout in each lake.
Also, if you want to be on the sound (Puget) you can do some saltwater cutt's...they are gorgeous (I hear) and fun.
Finally, there is a summer run of steelie (!!! YIPPEE!) as well as a winter run. Talk to Steelheader69...

As you can see, I am salivating... only 5 more months.... then FF heaven...!!!

'Nix

[benorthcarolina]

I was in MT the second week of June last year. We stayed in Missoula (where A River Runs Through It is set). Needless to say there's a lot of trout fishing to be had in that area.

From what I gathered, that area tends to be more fishable than Yellowstone at that time of year bc runoff occurs earlier here , but some of the rivers could still be high.

If the conditions are right you'll have great fishing with the salmonfly hatch (a giant species of stonefly). Contact the Kingfisher flyshop in Missoula for info, they have their own website too - if you wanna do a search.

We did pretty well w/ the fishing and had a great time - I can email you some more detail about streams if you want.

[Steelheader69]

You'll have some summerruns trickling in. But you'll have more of a chance at a springer (chinook). Lot's of choices as well for SRC's and dollies. Depends what you're more in the mood for. Fishing isn't sure fire hits in June, but there is some decent fishing to be had.

[JoeFish]

thanks for the replies, i have changed the trip to the Vail, Colorado area. its still goin gto be in June.

i have done alot of research already and im excited as heck.

thanks,

Joe

[Steelheader69]

Yeah, if it was well into July or August, I'd say come here for sure. Lots of summerruns and springers around by then. But early June, you're still talking beginning of some runs. Just more consistent fish statewide by then. June is one of those "finicky" months. Can have lots of springers, but maybe very little summerruns. But by end of summer, better chance (or shall I say guarantee) that fish will be in most rivers.