Top 10 Stillwater Trout Flies For Montana
Every spring we get the annual runoff that turns our local rivers to turbulent, chocolate milk colored, raging waters. Fisherman run to the closest tail water or lake to get their fix while waiting for local water to drop into shape. Stillwater fishing can be a whole another ball game with a completely different batch of bugs to use. Here are some of our favorite stillwater bugs for Montana.
BH Mohair Leech:
"The Leech" is not a pretty fly, but is a absolute staple for stillwater fishing. Most lakes in Montana have leeches and are a huge food source for trout. The Mohair Leech is a fairly easy tie too.
- Hook: Umpqua U302 #6-12 or your favorite streamer hook
- Tail: Black X-Select Marabou
- Body: Black Mohair
BH Olive Scud:
Trout love their freshwater fresh water shrimp! Olive is usually a pretty good bet, but its a good idea to have pink, orange, and gray scuds as well.
- Hook: Umpqua U202 #10-18
- Tail: Olive Saddle Hackle
- Ribbing: Small Black Ultra-Wire
- Body: Scud Dub Olive
Jumbo JuJu Chironimid:
One of our go to lake flies when the fish are being picky. Fish it deep or fish it shallow right in front of their noses. We recommend you fish it under a indicator with a very slow retrieval.
- Hook: Umpqua U205 #12-16
- Body: Brown & Orange Super Hair
- Flashback: Holographic Silver Flashabou
- Wingcase: Black Fino Skin
- Gills: White Antron
- Thorax: Black Peacock Ice Dub
- Coating: Loon Flow
Barr's Damsel Nymph:
When the fish are on the damsel nymphs in Montana your going to want a couple of these. Barr's Damsel Nymph has been our most consistent damsel nymph for some of our local lakes. Great when fished under a indicator or stripped off of the shore.
- Hook: Umpqua U104 #8-12
- Tail: Wooly Bugger Marabou
- Ribbing: X-Small Uni-French Tinsel
- Shellback: Olive Swiss Straw
- Dubbing: Hareline Dubbin Olive Hare's Ear
- Legs: Olive Mallard Flank
- Eyes: Hareline Mono Nymph Eyes
Rowley's Balanced Leech:
Tied on a jig hook to give it a level presentation in the feeding column. Deadly when fished under a indicator.
- Hook: Umpqua C400BL #10
- Shank: Picture Frame Nail From Hardware Store
- Tail: Black Marabou
- Body: Senyo's Midnight Fusion Dub
- Collar: Senyo's Flame Fusion Dub
Carey's Special:
The Carey Special has been around for a long time, and for good reason too. This bug just keeps producing through the years.
- Hook: Umpqua U104 #8-14
- Lead: .020 Lead Wire
- Tail: Natural Pheasant Tail
- Body: Olive Chenille Or Peacock Herl
- Ribbing: Small Gold Ultra-Wire
- Collar: Natural Pheasant Tail
Marabou Cripple:
Our favorite cripple for when the callibaetis are hatching on our local lakes.
- Hook: Umpqua U102 #10-14
- Tail: Gray Marabou
- Rib: X-Small Gold Ultra-Wire
- Hackle: Whiting 100 Pack Light Dun #10-14
- Wing: Hareline Comparadun Hair
Craven's Parachute Damsel Adult:
Does it get much better than trout gulping down damsel dries? Craven's Parachute Damsel Adult has worked best for us over the last couple summers.
- Hook: Umpqua U102 #8-12
- Tail: Adult Damsel Body Braid (Sharpie Stripes)
- Hackle: Grizzly Hackle
- Dubbing: STS Trilobal Dubbing Kingfisher Blue
- Body: 2mm Blue Foam
The Water Boatman:
Deadly when fish are cruising the shallows looking for a easy meal. A fairly easy tie well worth the rewards.
- Hook: Umpqua U102 #14-18
- Tail: Krystal Flash Pearl
- Legs: Small Round Rubber Black
- Body: Peacock Herl
- Shell: Swiss Straw Clear
Chan's Las Vegas Booby Leech:
Booby flies are growing more and more popular in the stillwater world and work well when fished with a sinking line.
- Hook: Umpqua U104 #8-12
- Tail: X-Select Black Marabou
- Body: Hareline Cactus Chenille Black
- Boobies: Large White Hareline Foam Cylinders