They say that if you built a bridge in a desert, you would find anglers fishing around it. Bridges offer beauty, shade, and access to great trout fishing. If the waters are stocked with fish, this is a for sure place to hook up. Bridges also offer access and parking.
Over my angling life, I have enjoyed trout fishing manygreat bridged waters. Here are some of my favorite Montanabridge memories.
Varney Road Bridge Every fly angler that has fished inthe Madison River has fished around this old bridge. Theoriginal bridge was built so that the local horse rancher could move his herds toward Bozeman. Salmon fly hatches are huge along this section of the river. Ironically, the bridge is at the end or the beginning of most floats. These waters are often the least fished since anglers are just getting warmed up or done fishing when they get there.
Emigrant Bridge This bridge, over the Yellowstone River, has special memories for me. I once guided a pair of New York girls that were on their first fly fishing trip. A huge thunderstorm came up and we sheltered under the bridge. I had a six pack in my ice chest for emergencies like this. Once the storm passed, we were the only boat on the river as an intense hatch began. Every trout in the river was on the feed. These novice ladies caught so many trout that they finally called” Uncle”.
Later, I guided a wedding party to the access at this bridge. The couple was getting married at Chico Hot Springs and wanted to fish before their special union. The bride wore her white, fancy dress and her beau was in his sharp, best cowboy getup. We netted plenty of fish as we drifted to this special bridge. The wedding entourage was waiting at the boat ramp, just above the bridge. What a great take out!
Fishing Bridge This Yellowstone Park bridge was amazing, back in the day. As a young kid, I never saw so many trout in one place. The bridge was also full of anglers, so I walked toward the boat rental docks. No one was fishing there, and a stonefly hatch was exploding. For the next hours, I put on a dry fly clinic as at 12 years old, Icaught dozens of cutthroats on my rough tied stonefly patterns. This day gave me confidence to be a better fly angler, while dozens of skunked bait anglers watched a kid netting a boatload of trout.
Bridges are magnets for anglers. These landmarks are a perfect place to begin a day of fishing. There are always BIG FISH under bridges.
Catch a Biggun!
Montana Grant
