This weekend (Sept. 13-15) I am at the Clydehurst Christian Ranch on the Boulder River in Montana teaching fly fishing with my friend Marc Williamson. Today was a fishing day for us. In addition to the fact that it was fun, it was also a necessity because we want to be able to advise those in attendance of both the river level and the fishing conditions.

The water is typical mid-September for Montana, that is low and clear—very clear. We noted some Hydropsychid caddis adults in the streamside willows, but did not see any rising fish. Our day was heavily invested in nymphing the swift pocket water of the river.

We used the old “Bait and Switch” tactic to great success. To the end of the leader we attached a San Juan Worm. And then, Tractor/Trailer style, we added a small nymph (14 or 16) about 15 inches below the Worm. We used a Prince Nymph, a Hare and Copper, or Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear for the bottom fly.

The indicator went about three feet above the top fly. We used Thing-A-Ma-Bobber indicators because we wanted to accurately control the depth of the flies during the drift. The trout were deep, and the fly had to get down into the bottom waters, but at the same time, the rocks also bore a glaze of filamentous green algae, and if the flies raked bottom they came up loaded with the hair-like plant material. The super buoyant indicators worked perfectly.

To get the flies down, right now, we used bead head imitations, but also added small shot as needed. The cast was important too. A Tuck Cast that flipped the imitations over and allowed them to rocket to the bottom was essential because many of the pockets were short and the fly had to get in and get down, right now. The casts were rarely over 20 feet long, and immediately after the cast, the rod tip was lifted high to control the line and eliminate drag. Any odd movement by the indicator was met with a quick short jerk with the rod tip.

I fished the Hardy 10 foot, 3-weight Zenith. It was the prefect rod. I could control the line with ease and the delicate tip got the hook in without breaking the 4X tippet.

None of the fish were over 13 inches, but they fight hard and swift on the 3-weight in the strong currents of the Boulder. The day totaled 30 trout for Marc and me in 3 hours of actual fishing time.

The Ranch sits well up in the narrow valley of the Boulder, about 35 miles from Big Timber.

Marc and I arrived at the Ranch on Wednesday evening in preparation for our sampling day.

The camp grounds are well maintained and make an excellent spot to teach fly casting.

Why do they call it the Boulder River? Dangerous wading, fast pocket water, and more than its share of boulders.

Though not especially large, the trout of the Boulder are in excellent condition and fight strong and hard in the heavy currents.

The group has assembled and is getting dinner before sweet dreams of fly fishing school .