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Other
Small Creeks
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There are a host of smaller streams, creeks, spring creeks and sloughs in the immediate vicinity of or within an hour's drive of Sheridan. Far too many fine, small overlooked fisheries exist to mention here so we will describe just a few of the most notable
Mill
Creek. Brimming with brook trout, Mill Creek tumbles down out of the
Tobacco Roots as a mountain stream through forest land. Originating in the
beautiful area cradled by a mass of rock cirque known as Branham Lakes, this
high mountain creek is a great day's excursion. The creek widens as it enters
the Ruby Valley. On the Ruby Oxbow Ranch, Mill Creek picks up vast quantities
of pure spring water forming a channel approximately ten feet wide and in
some cases six feet deep, flowing in true spring creek fashion through tall
stands of wild Russian rye. Here Mill Creek is home to a phenomenal resident
brown trout population with many fish in the eighteen to twenty inch range.
You are virtually guaranteed to hook a few of these brutes, but landing them
is another matter! Mill Creek's fish population swells in the fall as fish
migrate up from the Ruby from as far away as Missouri to perform their annual
spawning ritual.
Indian Creek. There’s an Indian Creek in both the Madison and Ruby Valleys. Indian Creek on the Madison is exceptional fishing for rainbows. Indian Creek in the Ruby Valley is one of the finest brook trout fisheries that can be found anywhere, and a technical angler's delight. It rushes its way down from the Tobacco Roots through dense stands of towering aspens, spilling over its boulder strewn bed down a canyon wonderland many consider the prettiest in the Tobacco Root range.
Poindexter Slough. Poindexter Slough is a languid flowing spring creek type of stream that serves as a spawning ground for the Beaverhead tailwater and a great fishery in its own right. Poindexter Slough is publicly accessible for most of its length. It is managed by FWP and is well worth a day's excursion. Its resident population consists mostly of browns fourteen to eighteen inches with the occasional larger fish.
O’Dell Creek. O’Dell Creek is a quiet little creek winding its way to the south of Ennis to its confluence with the Madison. It offers fine dry fly fishing for trout in the twelve to sixteen inch range. Careful attention should be paid to public and private land boundaries.
Black Tail Creek. Black Tail Creek tumbles down out of the Black Tail Mountains north and east of Dillon. It flows through a checker board of private and public lands and careful attention should be paid to property boundaries. Some property owners offer access for a fee. Black Tail Creek can provide fun and highly productive dry fly fishing through the summer and fall months for fish averaging approximately fourteen inches with the occasional larger fish.
Owlsley
and Schoolhouse Sloughs. Beautiful little sloughs partially fed by
the Big Hole River and partially by springs these fine pieces of smaller
water connect the Big Hole and the Beaverhead just above Twin Bridges. Fishing
can be truly exceptional primarily for brown trout all year long by streamer,
nymph, or dry fly. These sloughs flow through some of the prettiest country
on the Big Hole and are a perfect adjunct to an outing on that spectacular
river.
A
number of creeks and streams in the upper Big Hole are great brook trout fishing
and at various times of the year it can hold populations of spawning fish
from the main stem of the Big Hole. Most of these creeks flow through private
land and permission is required. Ranches of the West and Country Roads LLC manage a number of ranches through which are private access is provided to
more than fifteen miles of some of the very best reaches of Indian Creek,
Mill Creek, Owlsley and Schoolhouse sloughs.
Wisconsin Creek. Anchoring the
large and picturesque Three Creeks Ranch, Wisconsin Creek is a hearty creek
flowing through the awe-inspiring Tobacco Root Mountains. Secluded and banked
by towering cottonwoods, this sparkling jewel is accented by riffles and pools
featuring brook trout and west slope cutthroat from 7" to 12", eager
for the fly. Challenging fishing in complete solitude can be yours.
Country Roads LLC |
