Good dry fly fishing at Duck Lake

I had a really good fishing day on Duck Lake last week.

But I'm holding back any use of the word "great" to describe fishing in Duck Lake until (and if) those big rainbow trout ever return.

Back in the day, it took fish over 6 pounds to be called "great."

I actually overheard two Duck Lake residents talking. One was excited because he had lost a "huge" fish at the boat because he had forgotten his landing net.

"Had to be 20 inches long," he told his buddy.

My fishing was really good, not necessarily because the wind was calm, but because trout were rising and could be sight-fished.

The fish weren't exactly feeding in a straight line, but a well-placed light-colored caddis emerger or waterboatman fly in an eating ring, would provoke a strike.

I had only two light-colored waterboatmen and lost both to fish. Best producing fly was a size 14 peacock body with sparse tan wood duck overwing.

Unfortunately, when the wind blows on Duck Lake, trolling a fly on a sinking line is generally the preferred method. But boring!

Two wading anglers were also catching fish. Reminded me of many years ago when we waded the east end of the lake, casting boatman flies to big rising fish.

I didn't leave home until 9 a.m., planning to drive through the Park, rather than the longer trip through Browning.

The Park scenery was awesome, but traffic was slow. Very slow.

I also got stuck behind a dozen bikers paying individually at the entrance station.

Duck Lake hadn't been on my fishing radar until I read post-Labor Day non-motorized watercraft users on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation can download a self-inspection certification.

Motorized craft must be inspected Saturdays or Sundays at the inspection station 7 miles west of Browning, or by calling 406-338-7207.

Go to www.flatheadbasincommission.org for more information and to download a self-inspection form.