Fly fishing attracts people from around the world. After Robert Redford’s movie “A River Runs Through It.” More people than ever have visited Big Sky Country to try Big Fly-Fishing Fun. 

When I was a kid, I was a member of the Maryland Fly Anglers fishing club. At age 12, I was surrounded by many of the most famous fly rodders that ever cast a line. Lefty Kreh, Vince Marinaro, Joe Brooks, and many more. I tied my first fly under the tutelage of Boyd Pfeiffer and Paul Helm. They helped me tie several Royal Coachman dry flies. Later Lefty helped me build my first homemade fly rod. 

A few weeks later my dad took me into the Catoctin Mountains near Thurmont, Md. These Thurmont waters are famous. Hunting Creek flows below Camp David. Owens Creek is also nearby. It was here where I caught my first trout on a dry fly. My Dad spotted several rainbow trout near the tail of a pool. A huge train trestle stood just downstream. An occasional train would pass by. We watched the trout rise for several minutes.

 I tied my hand tied Coachman onto my leader and made sure that the clinch knot was secure. “8 wraps and one for good luck”, was my dad’s advice. He stayed still on the rocky bank as I stealthily got downstream from these feeding fish. Once in position, I added some Garcia silicone flotant to the fly. A few false casts and I was ready to present the fly. Lefty Kreh told me that “PRESENTATION” was the most important thing. The fly had to drift naturally and float where the fish could see it and easily rise to eat it.

My cast was too short. The Coachman drifted high and dry but too far away. My next cast was a little closer, but my leader dragged the fly. Two of the trout gave it a look but no takers. My third cast was money. The biggest trout made a move and followed my dry fly until he was on it. A quick sip and I set the hook. The first thing that the trout did was jump out of the water as I was jumping out of my boots. My Dad netted this trout and many more. Montana Grant was hooked for life. 

There are few things in life that are as memorable as catching your first fly rod trout. You will never catch enough 

The most important thing about fly fishing is having fun!

Montana Grant