Good gear, good planning necessities for dedicated fishermen who brave icy Missouri

All week long, Ryan Casne is watching the weather. A Helena native, Casne has been fly-fishing the waters of Southwest Montana since he was a child.

But the Missouri River, or at least the run between Holter Dam and Cascade, is more than familiar water to Casne.

He knows this river like it's a member of his immediate family. He knows every bend and riffle. He knows every inch of its banks and where to find its largest inhabitants. Yet no matter how much time Casne spends on the water, it's a relationship that often tests his patience, persistence and skills.

A short 25-minute drive from Helena, the Missouri River offers a fly fisherman a year-round blue ribbon fishery. In the winter months, fishing tends to be most productive in the early afternoon until around 4 p.m.

The combination of relatively warm water temperatures, good access for both bank and float fishing, and viable winter food sources, such as scuds, make the Missouri a winner.

"I've been lucky enough to land several trout over 25 inches on the Missouri in the winter -- all on flies," said Casne. "When the trout are not cooperative, the Rocky Mountain whitefish certainly help to keep you busy."

How he does it

The majority of the winter trout are taken on bead-head nymphs and streamers, artificial imitations of natural underwater prey that trout key in on at varying water depths.

Casne ties his own variations of patterns that he finds to be particularly effective. While dexterously threading a 5X tippet through the eye of a homemade nymph, Casne advises me, "Think pink."

His patterns for winter resemble tiny fresh water shrimp, or scuds, or even smaller silvery nymphs, all adorned in flamboyant pink. He ties nymphs with tungsten beads that help them sink to the proper depth, and streamers that look like alien creatures which are sure to entice trout to attack.

Casne carries with him fly rods set up for every opportunity, ready to quickly change his tackle if he encounters a rising fish, a deep hole, riffle or spawning bed. His equipment is suited for the conditions. Four to eight-weight rod, reel and line outfits that are high quality marvels of engineering worth more than he'd care to admit.

Planning

Winter fishing and the weather that comes along with it takes careful planning. Warm-weather clothing and waders are a must.

But the devil is in the details.

"There have been many Friday nights spent shoveling snow out of the drift boat," Casne said. "Even small things, like a frozen coiled anchor rope, can be a big problem if it's not taken care of in advance."

Casne noted the importance of arranging a shuttle as well. Most local fly shops, he said, won't offer a winter shuttle service.

Of course, he added, anglers will need more than good gear and planning to have fun fly fishing in the winter.

"I'm fortunate to have friends who share my desire to brave the elements in search of a few winter trout -- and the more frequent Rocky Mountain whitefish," Casne said. "These are guys who will drop everything, to include skiing, with little more than a day's notice. As these guys know, the single most important key to being a successful winter fisherman is an understanding and flexible wife, like my Anna."

Winter fly fishing has many personalities; ranging from reasonably productive and warm to brutal, sub-arctic, and fishless.

"I suppose the solitude keeps me coming back just as much as the fish do," Casne said. "This past weekend we were all alone, save for a few duck hunters. I love it and, as long as my body lets me keep doing it, I'll be out there every chance I get."

Photographer Chad Trettin:

chad.trettin@helenair.com or 447-4077