“Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!” – Boxing ring announcer, Michael Buffer.
Rumble river. I never see anyone there. I notice the occasional boot print in riverside mud or silt but it is usually near a road access. And I did spotted a big foam dry fly hanging from a branch by some lower river homes. However, as I walk km after km upstream I generally see no other traces of significant angling pressure. The fish, colorful Cutthroats, have few or no hook marks on them. Most don’t look like they have been handled at all. That’s rare for most regional trout streams. They also fight with every cell in their body. Fish that have been caught over and over simply give up once hooked; offer little resistance; have no spirit. The trout in this river are different. They are more than willing to Rumble and use the fast water, boulders, willow branches, and log jams to their full advantage. Landing a sizeable one is always an accomplishment.
The river is really a stream. It is relatively small, often willow lined and has a significant gradient. Most sections are fast but not all. It has some well defined pools. When insects are on the water, which seems almost daily, trout can be spotted rising in slower sections. The abundance of bug life produces thick and strong trout. The river water is clear. New Zealand clear.
Clear water, challenging terrain, little angling pressure, insect life and sizeable, powerful trout that are willing and ready to Rumble…
Some images from recent outings…
trout on dries 
Nice to know there’s still a few places like that!
Jim: You bet!…creeks like that are real gems.
Hope you are about to start you Fall fly fishing tour. I always enjoy your posts. Ever hit Flat Cr on Refuge land near Jackson?
Thanks for dropping in.
Bob
Yes, I used to fish Flat Creek annually in August and September. It has become overly crowded in recent years, so I have skipped it the past two summers. I love it when I’m there and can find a couple hundred yards though.
Jim: Always wanted to fish it, especially like the look of the creek and surroundings. And it is suppose to be challenging. Too bad about crowds…long way to go for me to get boxed in on a river. Thanks for info.
Bob
Glad to see water in it after the year you guys had. Still amazes me that those headwater streams produce such thick cutts – things are obviously in a nice balance.
Fished Flat Creek in September 2009. Crowds not too bad then, but that might as well have been colonial times compared to today. Recall some tricky currents, but ants fished along the bankside grass worked well assuming you made a stealthy approach. Some other meadow streams in that general area are also worthy of attention.
Greg: Most of our headwater Cutthroat streams produce thick, health fish. It is amazing how robust they become in such a harsh environment where the season for them to grow is so so short; run-off tends to be extreme; etc. Amazing resilient fish.
Neat you fished Flat Creek. And in 2009 which was awhile ago but seems like yesterday. I’ve wanted to fish it for quite some time but when I head south end up never getting past the Missouri river as it is so productive. Unlike 2009 sounds more crowded now according to Jim who fishes everywhere. Still need to get there one day and I’ll bring ants, as suggested, for late summer angling. Thanks for tip on other nearby flows. Thanks for commenting.
Bob