Depuy Spring Creek – Paradise Valley

April 2008

Never one to pass up a nice spring day, I fought the snow and early season nip with good friend Robert Klein to fish the classic Depuy Spring Creek off of the Yellowstone River, south of Livingston. It was a very long day starting in Helena, picking Robert up in Twin Bridges, checking out all the fly shops in Livingston, and eventually getting on the creek about noon. Given the weather, that was just about long enough for a modicum of heat to get into the air.

It was a particularly exciting trip because of a new rod: A graphite creation by the maestro, Glenn Brackett. Glenn doesn’t need an introduction for anyone familiar with rod making, but Sweetgrass Rods is more famous for its bamboo creations than graphite. Glenn occasionally makes graphite rods for good causes in and around Twin Bridges. I’m very fortunate to have gotten one in March.

Water

Depuy’s is a classic spring creek, well documented in fly fishing lore. Full information can be found at the web site. We had a wonderful conversation with Betty as we got signed up for the day. Suffice it to say that this early in the season, the water was clear, cold, and reasonably low.

Fishing

What can one say? I didn’t catch a fish, but had a grand day. Good rod, good company, good weather, and a classic place to fish during the week when otherwise I could be working! Much of Robert’s generous supply of flies is still with me. They are truly works of art, themselves. He’s a consummate fly fisherman – and connoisseur of all things good. A wonderful day.