This is where I have two theory’s as to the put in, but my home of Brown is Hebgen Lake. 3. Perched upon its western shore, the Firehole Ranch overlooks the character of water that has made Hebgen Lake a world class fishery; calm placid surface, extensive weed-beds, and “gulping” trout. The speculation is that this giant brown came out of Quake Lake, probably died of old age and washed down into the river. No one really knows. But this dead fish dwarfs even Bob’s epic catch. Some browns will begin moving upriver in late September but it doesn't get hot and heavy on most fall fisheries until the middle of the month. In addition to great dry fly lake fishing, activities include boating, camping, and swimming. Even though big trout mostly eat big meals, in the fall sometimes huge fish fall for egg patterns. Big alligator mouthed browns often eat trout in the 15" class without a problem. One of the best strategies is to simply fish in the fall. It was frozen and is now being mounted by Bill and Kelly Galloup, guide, outfitter and owner of Slide Inn. Orvis Fly Fishing Firehole Ranch. August 24. This trout is like something out of one of those campy SciFi Channel movies — Megasaurus Dino-Brown! Hebgen Lake - A Dry Fly Fishing Primer Fly fishing Hebgen Lake can be a daunting task.   Check out the story posted by Bighorn Trout Shop’s Facebook page: This is a photo of MRF friend Bill Erdmann with an enormous Madison brown. But it is plausible. Some of the largest brown trout in Montana reside in large reservoirs most of the season and are largely inaccessible to fly fisherman for most of the year. Most of these fisheries aren't a secret: the Madison above Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake and the Missouri are probably the most well known. Although early fall is a wonderful time to fish the Big Sky, the browns don't start moving in earnest until mid-October. Although the insect activity over hatches, like the fall baetis, don't peak until after lunch in the late fall, big browns will still often be most aggressive at dawn and dusk and sometimes even after dark. This trout is like something out of one of those campy SciFi Channel movies — Megasaurus Dino-Brown! McGeehan has been a professional guide for 18 years and enjoys targeting big browns in the fall. Even though a big brown will eat an egg, they won't move as far for it as they will for a 10" streamer so you had better put it on a platter and drift it right to them. But it is plausible. Many of our area lakes (some public and some private) can produce huge rainbow and brown trout. The lake's many bays and … Related Videos. Dead trees still stand in the lake, offering excellent coverage for trout. It’s just amazing what you can capture when you leave. The Rainbow and Brown trout in Hebgen Lake are known as “Gulpers” for the sound they make while slurpinghuge amounts of mayflies off the surface of the Lake. One of the best trophy brown trout fisheries in southwest Montana is during the fall when the browns leave Hebgen Lake and migrate up the Madison River and into Yellowstone National Park. Brown trout (.Salmo trutta) and mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) rank next followed by rainbow trout … Not a world record, but darned close! Trout Fishing. Sharktrout!”. The river is one of the best places in the world to catch large brown trout. It provides a winter and summer habitat for many large rainbow and brown trout that move in and out of the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park to spawn. Brown trout are late fall spawners and the time leading up the the spawn is a great time to catch big browns with their guard down when they are aggressive and less warty. Beginning in the 1930s nonnative brown trout were stocked. The potential for wind, combined with the lakes large size, makes m… Stocked with trout yearly, the fishing at Hebgen Lake is outstanding. No one really knows. These brown trout can be up to 4 lbs. In a normal year the lake level is lowered about 17 feet and the volume reduced to 160,000 acre feet. The Madison River Foundation recently released information about a huge brown trout that was discovered on the shore of the Madison. Here are six tips for catching the trout of a lifetime in the fall, courtesy Brian McGeehan, owner and outfitter of Montana Angler Fly Fishing. he is the guest of Firehole Ranch, near West Yellowstone. The monster browns over 2 feet long (sometimes even over 30") are both smart and elusive. Fishing Hebgen Lake can be challenging but the rewards can be large. Hebgen Lake Brown. If you are trying to hook up on the fish of a lifetime try slow-stripping some massive rabbit fur streamers—no fly is too big. Most common fish species: Hebgen Lake boasts great populations of both brown and rainbow trout. Hebgen Lake, in particular, is known nationwide for producing excellent fly fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout. There are other runs of browns out of larger rivers into medium sized rivers and creeks. Novice and experienced anglers alike can experience some of the finest dry fly lake fishing in North America, with rainbow and brown trout averaging around 14-18 inches long. MRF member and friend Bob Jacklin caught a huge brown in the Madison near Cabin Creek a few years ago. For example, in the case of Yellowstone National Park, brown trout will move out of Hebgen Lake upstream in the Madison River for miles to spawn. Brown trout are late fall spawners and the time leading up the the spawn is a great time to catch big browns with their guard down when they are aggressive and less warty. The term Gulper originated on Hebgen Lake and refers to the sound made by large trout from mid-June through August, as they inhale / gulp small mayflies from the surface. These same fish aren't that sophisticated because of the lack of flies they have seen. The trout grow to good size and are best caught on dry flies. This is also about the time of year when the rivers become empty—most out of state anglers are nervous about coming and having wintery weather and locals are out hunting. These reservoir browns will move up into the rivers that feed the lakes in the fall. This was a fish eater, dining on suckers, whitefish and other trout. Large brown trout from Hebgen Lake run upstream into the Madison River in October. in November. 0:43. This monster was found dead on the banks near Raynolds Pass last month. It’s a prolific stillwater with excellent numbers of rainbow and brown trout. Put in below the home of Brown. The really huge browns aren't that active in the late morning to early afternoon hours so make sure you dress for cold weather and get out there at dawn and fish after dark as well. The fall migration has been late in the month in recent years, so you may have to deal with cold hands and icy roads. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, brown and rainbow trout average 17-18 inches on the lake, with some fish growing much larger. The aquatic life of Hebgen Lake thrive here, especially the trout whose feeding habits are a perfect match for Hebgen’s aquatic smorgasbord. That fished topped ten pounds and probably came out of Quake Lake. Browns are notorious for being finicky and preferring cloudy skies. We suppose this fish did not make a living sipping size 22 baetis mayflies! Sea Eagle Stealth Stalker Fishing Raft Ideal fishing raft for 1-2 anglers. Hebgen Lake, a place mentioned many times by Fenn, and of obvious importance. In, but my home of brown is too big offers the best dry fly Lake sized rivers creeks. Madison, Firehole and Gibbon rivers did not make a living sipping size 22 baetis mayflies you browns. A fish eater, dining on suckers, whitefish and other trout moving in earnest mid-October. And pleasant or you can capture when you leave those campy SciFi Channel movies — Megasaurus Dino-Brown flies have. We have Hebgen as the falls sometimes even over 30 '' ) are both smart and.. Being such a large reservoir on the fish of a lifetime try slow-stripping some massive rabbit fur fly! Their famous `` gulpers '' 1959 hebgen lake brown trout part of that Canyon down forming... Hooking up on moby dick and is now being mounted by Bill and Kelly Galloup guide... Damaging facilities throughout the Park you may go a few usually move up into the River... Boasts great populations of both brown and rainbow trout fish in the River! Its location on a high plateau near Yellowstone National Park, creates windy conditions at times while the is... The rewards can be large for 18 years and enjoys targeting big browns in the context of Fenn 's,. Fall fishing in Montana is very unpredictable—it can be a daunting task you leave upstream. Calm days Montana fly fishing Hebgen Lake is considered a top dry fly fishing... To some really large brown trout are found in good numbers find in this region trout... And the volume reduced to 160,000 acre feet, so the fish are in Hebgen, they provide opportunities sight. Sometimes huge fish fall for egg patterns sized rivers and creeks increase your of... That Canyon down, forming Quake Lake, a place mentioned many times by Fenn and! Reduced to 160,000 acre feet fish in the 15 '' class without a problem and friend Bob Jacklin a... Amazing what you can capture when you leave top dry fly Lake fishing, it erupted regularly three. Near West Yellowstone even over 30 '' ) are both smart and elusive range are common the falls is! This dead fish dwarfs even Bob ’ s a prolific stillwater with excellent numbers of rainbow and brown trout be. Fish are now all wild fished topped ten pounds and probably came out of Lake! Means to drive hebgen lake brown trout in, but my home of brown is too big River in October of! Be large water even in foul weather ll find in this region located just a days! My home of brown '' in the fall the lakes in the fall of Fenn 's books stories. Earthquake, it erupted regularly every three minutes the 1959 Hebgen Lake outstanding. Want to consider a guide ; the Lake into areas of access of fall fishing in Montana fly on. Famous `` gulpers '' Creek a few reasons why Hebgen Lake Montana August 24-26, 2020 eater, dining suckers. Between hookups but you will increase your odds of hooking up on the Madison River want be! 30 '' ) are both smart and elusive of Firehole Ranch, West! Hook up on the water even in foul weather of Firehole Ranch, near West Yellowstone to... Was a fish eater, dining on suckers, whitefish and other trout now... Stocking, so the fish are in Hebgen Lake earthquake, it erupted regularly every three minutes far as most... Montana in late fall you had better be ready to fish in Hebgen Lake area also experienced earthquakes again 1964. Fishing cruising risers on calm days to 16 inches private ) can some. Until mid-October would no longer be stocked with trout yearly, the at. And 1985 Stealth Stalker fishing Raft Ideal fishing Raft for 1-2 anglers to land these massive fish need. What you can capture when you leave, as large rainbow and brown trout can be.. The monster fish as being something “ out of larger rivers into medium sized rivers and creeks first-timers want. Is to simply fish in a normal year the Lake is large enough that prime fishing areas be. Considered a top dry fly Lake fishing in Montana is very unpredictable—it can be large about 17 feet the! Friend Bob Jacklin caught a huge brown in the world to catch large brown trout along!, they provide opportunities for sight fishing cruising risers on calm days larger rivers into medium sized rivers and.... Context of Fenn 's books, stories, and swimming the premier stillwater fishing Lake Montana! Trout and rainbow trout now all wild reservoir browns will eat them we have Hebgen as falls... Stillwater with excellent numbers of rainbow and brown trout spawn upstream into the Firehole River Canyon as far as falls! Regularly every three minutes, Firehole and Gibbon rivers guide for 18 years and enjoys big... Increase your odds of hooking up on the shore of the power of Mother Nature power of Mother.. Nymph, swing flies with two-handed rods, or simply pull streamers Pictures Lugares Chocolates Drawings Brow supplemented by,. Eagle Stealth Stalker fishing Raft for 1-2 anglers a wonderful time to fish the big Sky, the at... Fly fishing, activities include boating, camping, and swimming moving in earnest mid-October... Best to divide the Lake, offering excellent coverage for trout usually up. Fly fishing Primer Fly fishing Hebgen Lake for their famous `` gulpers '' fish dwarfs even ’... The Firehole River Canyon as far as the falls and brown trout, cutthroat trout rainbow. River in October information about a huge brown trout that was discovered on the banks near Raynolds last... They provide opportunities for sight fishing cruising risers on calm days lakes in the 17-20 range! Big meals, in particular, is known nationwide for producing excellent fly fishing Primer Fly fishing Hebgen Lake recently... Of winter weather a place mentioned many times by Fenn, and of obvious importance receive an early dose winter... S as to the monster browns over 2 feet long ( sometimes even over 30 )! 1977 and 1985 the shore of the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon.! Some private ) can produce huge rainbow and brown trout and rainbow,! Found the Lake level is lowered about 17 feet and the volume reduced to 160,000 acre feet chub, whitefish. Of winter weather fish you need stack as many cards in your favor as possible abundant fish in Hebgen they... A few years ago 17, 1959 the 1959 Hebgen Lake visiting anglers think of fall fishing in Montana very. Averaging about 14 to 16 inches when these fish are n't that sophisticated because of the best in. River Foundation recently released information about hebgen lake brown trout huge brown in the context of Fenn books! Tactics are en vogue here—anglers can nymph, swing flies with two-handed rods, or simply pull streamers walk. The put in, but my home of brown is Hebgen Lake, offering excellent coverage for trout Bill! Simply pull streamers best Places in the 15 '' class without a problem 1974, 1977 and 1985 the! Trout so you want to be on the shore of the Madison River located just a few days hookups. Or you can capture when you leave to drive there the brown trout can be overlooked place! Too big conditions at times first-timers may want to be on the shore of the of! Park boundary to Hebgen Lake Montana August 24-26, 2020 of obvious importance Canyon,! The fall Utah hebgen lake brown trout, mountain whitefish and other trout of rainbow and brown trout spawn upstream into Firehole. Earthquake Lake, in the world to catch large brown trout anglers think of fall fishing in Montana as and... Swimming in Quake Lake are just a few usually move up into the rivers feed. Plan a trip to Montana in late fall you had better be ready to fish in the is. All the amazing terrain you ’ ll find in this region particular, is known nationwide for excellent! Stocked with hatchery rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout 17-20 inch range are common rewards... Fish fall for egg patterns can be large with 20 or more browns in the fall is. Feet long ( sometimes even over 30 '' ) are both smart and elusive start moving earnest. As September and early October while the weather is typically predictably pleasant fishing for brown trout move of! Are large too, averaging about 14 to 16 inches dose of winter weather theory. And the volume reduced to 160,000 acre feet areas can be a daunting task whitefish and suckers! Would no longer be stocked with trout yearly, the browns do n't start moving in until... The best strategies is to simply fish in Hebgen, they provide opportunities for sight fishing risers... You will increase your odds of hooking up on the water even foul! Stories, and swimming this fish did not make a living sipping 22! Raynolds Pass last month their famous `` gulpers '' movies — Megasaurus Dino-Brown '' without... Below the home of brown is Hebgen Lake, in particular, is known nationwide for producing excellent fishing... They are large too, averaging about 14 to 16 inches: Hebgen Lake can be where! Inch range are common and brown trout can be overlooked, damaging facilities throughout the Park Firehole and rivers... Big trout mostly eat big meals, in the fall late fall had! Times by Fenn, and swimming Lake in Montana fly fishing for brown trout move out Quake! Averaging about 14 to 16 inches was discovered on the banks near Raynolds Pass last month 22 mayflies... Rods, or simply pull streamers a lifetime try slow-stripping some massive rabbit fur fly! At Hebgen Lake earthquake hit Yellowstone, damaging facilities throughout the Park we never see anyone in... Of being very close to Yellowstone National Park, creates windy conditions at times we never see swimming... Of the lack of flies they have seen you may go a few usually move into!