Charlie works to pull out the perfect rainbow on Little Prickly Pear Creek. (Click image to buy print)
Sometimes when the fishing on the Missouri River isn’t as fruitful as promised, a little side trip up one of the many small creeks that feed the “grand ol’ river” can provide some great fun! Such was the case with my buddy Charlie Noone. After several hours on the Missouri without a single strike we were burned out and annoyed, but stil eager to land a fish. I recommended the lower stretch of the Little Prickly Pear. What we found were nice little holes, tall grass and small hungry fish.
Charlie finds the perfect fly. (Click image to buy print)
Charlie shows off the what we assume was the “Ranch Pet.”
Charlie works a slow section. (Click image to buy print)
It’s just too good! (Click image to buy print)
Around each bend, we found small deep holes with plenty of eager fish. We caught mostly rainbows with an occasional brown. They averaged 6-8 inches, but the numbers were what kept us smiling.
There were also a couple good runs, where the river would slow down and widen out. We fished it from opposing sides, casting from afar, trying not to spook the fish.
The shadows grew longer, until the sun cast it’s final light on the clouds. We concluded our evening of fishing by walking back to the car under a spectacular sunset.
Fishing a good run. (Click image to buy print)
Walking the tracks after a killer day! (Click image to buy print)