The Captain and I decided to take advantage of the great trout fishing on Holter Reservoir this week. I stopped and talked to a few folks fishing from the docks at the lower campground above the dam. I found that they are a fun bunch that welcome each other to fish side by side to pick up a few nice Rainbow Trout during the annual spring trout run on Holter Reservoir.

A great deal of the trout in Holter are planted and come from the Big Springs Trout Hatchery in Lewistown, Montana. I was surprised that many of the folks that were fishing on the docks are from all over our wonderful state.  The three pictured here are Dick from Great Falls, MT, Corey (the happy lady in the white hat) from Havre, MT and Mi Mi (the sweet gal in the blue shirt) from nearby Helena, MT.

The fishing was a bit slow when I happened upon these nice folks but Mi Mi said she had talked to a nice couple from Helena earlier that had limited out in short order.  They said they did the same the day before and had smoked them and even gave everyone fishing there a taste. She said the smoked trout they gave her tasted wonderful. This time of the year, you will find 5 to 15 folks fishing the docks right at the boat ramp for the prized trout at about any time of the day, and all are friendly and are happy to make room for you to throw a line in the water. And don’t worry boaters, all those fishing there always make way for you when you are ready to launch your boat.

Most of the folks use fly rods and fish with various Wooley Buggers and Nymphs and some worms from time to time.  If you haven’t tried this, now is the time, and you are sure to catch plenty of Rainbows in no time at all with no boat required. This opportunity at Holter Reservoir is a great way to get your little ones that first fish and start them enjoying one of the greatest sports in Montana.

(Feature photo via holterlakehomes.com)