Hello all! I just moved to Montana and decided I had better see if I enjoy fly fishing. I stopped by a local shop here in Billings and picked up a starter kit. The guys in the shop were great enough to take me out for my first time and try make sure I didn't hook myself, and they even let me borrow some waders and boots. Surprisingly I actually managed to catch a couple white fish and one rainbow. I even managed to get roll casting, the back cast, and even some false casting down pretty well.

Fortunately, or unfortunately if your my wife, I can really see myself sticking with it. I have done a lot of other types of fishing (surf, trolling, etc.), but fly fishing just feels more connected to the wildlife, if that makes sense.

As I keep going I am sure I will have a ton of questions, but for now I am lurking the forum and picking ups tips as I read.

I do have one question though. It occurred to me while I was roaming the creek, Red Lodge Creek I think it is called, that I had a chance of encountering some other animals like. So, does anyone carry a sidearm while fishing? I will check with the state laws on carry and reciprocity for the concealed permits I have, but just wondered if it was possibly frowned upon. I know its not really a fly fishing question, but thought you all might have some insight.

Thanks in advance.

i carry a sidearm incase the bucky brigade from the other side of the loch attack me here up in scotland

Mark

We don't get too many really wild animals around Wolverhampton (unless you count the Baggies) so I don't bother with a side arm. Incidentaly they are illegal now here. Glad to see you are getting into the fluff chucking........you know it makes sense, millions of other anglers can't be wrong. Welcome aboard................birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

It was the West Fork of Rock Creek at Red Lodge where you fished - I've fished it many times and the most dangerous creature I encountered was a cop.

If you get up to the trailhead and walk upstream, there's a meadow stretch a mile or two up there where few anglers fish, try a small Dave's Hopper in the summer afternoons, great fun

Call with Craig Beam in RL (Montana Trout Scout - 406-855-3058 ) for latest info on where's fishing well in the area

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Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once - Lee Wulff

We get some really wild characters at Westlow Mere,
luckily most of them are in their twilight years and a stern voice and a scowl
normaly do the trick
Joking apart goodluck and enjoy
Paul.