The morning of September 18, 2003, dawned cool and overcast, with an abundance of fresh air. A real treat following the summer heat and a month-and-a-half of thick, choking smoke. My nephew Dennis, from Richland, WA, had graced us with his presence the day before and we felt since it had been a long dry spell of no fishing, we owed it to ourselves to spend some time on the water. Our unanimous choice of destinations was Spring Meadow Lake, about a 3 mile drive from my front door and within the city limits. The lake is an old gravel pit taken over by the State of Montana in 1981 and made into Spring Meadow Lake State Park. It supports a self-sustaining population of Largemouth Bass, Perch, and Sunfish.
Since the lake is spring-fed and has no real inlet or outlet, all trout are planters. The lake has been stocked each year with Rainbows, and in 2001 Westslope Cutthroat were introduced. These impounded trout and bass have been known to reach 10 pounds but my biggest, taken a couple of years ago, was 6.25 pounds.
In summer, the lake is used extensively by younger folks for swimming and fishing; once school starts, one can often have the lake to themselves as we did. After a little bantering about who would catch the most fish we launched our float tubes and headed out. About 50 feet from shore Dennis hooked his first fish on a Black Woolly Bugger with a Green Body.
Dennis with the first fish of the day
Most fish caught here are considered keepers, as they make good table fare due to the abundance of crustaceans and a large population of Crayfish in the lake. This day, however, was a "catch and release" day, and the fish were gently released to be caught another day (the above photo was the only fish taken from the water). My nephew had a banner day and brought to hand 6 or 7 nice 'Bows, one Cutthroat and two Bass. I was not so fortunate, landing only one Rainbow. Old age, I guess. All fish caught that day were taken on the black-and-green Woolly Bugger I mentioned earlier.
A good view of the one-time gravel pit
As the sun was close to setting we decided to call it a day, pack the gear away and head to the Missouri for a little Walleye fishing. I was hauling my last load to my Trooper when Dennis hollered "Brian- do you always let your float tube drift out into the lake?" Having shed our waders, what were we to do. Dennis remembered having his Salmon spinning rod and I had some bell sinkers, a combination which saved the day.
Dennis rescuing my float tube.
The next morning about 10:00 a.m. my niece Loretta and her husband Joe, from Redmond, WA, hit town and Joe wanted to fish with folks who could take him where the fish are. Back to Spring Meadow we went. Joe landed the most fish that day with a Doc Spratley Nymph he says is popular in Washington but is not sold here. He landed about 8 Rainbows and 1 Cutthroat.
Joe taking it easy
Dennis had no luck on the 'bugger and switched to a un-named brown nymph. His count was not as good as the day before as he only caught two fish. I got skunked that day which was okay, because I believe the fishing is always good- the catching just ain't too hot sometimes. Besides that I managed to solidly beach my float tube.
Dennis with another nice one
We are fortunate here to have a place like Spring Meadow, particularly if you fly fish. Most folks around here consider it a "kids' pond"' and go join the crowd on the Missouri, leaving the challenges Spring Meadow presents to just a very few of us. A challenge is what this little lake is. Dry flies rarely get a strike and a Bead Head Prince Nymph will work well one day and be of no interest the next.
If you have such a lake in your area, remember what it's like to be a kid and take advantage of it. Some of the best fishing can often be found right outside one's back door.
~ Brian Ahern
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