Depuy's Spring Creek
The crystal clear waters of Depuy's Spring Creek beckon anyone who enjoys, or wants to learn about, technical, visual, spot-and-stalk fly fishing. This gem of a trout stream in Paradise Valley, Montana offers over three miles of spring-fed creek managed exclusively for fly fishing.
Gentle meadows filled with mature willows and cottonwoods frame the creek as it winds its way north to meet the Yellowstone River.
Known for abundant wild trout that subtly rise to emerging insects during the prolific hatches, Depuy's creek is on every serious fly angler's bucket list.
Strict rod limits and private water fees help reduce crowding and angling pressure on this Montana fly fishing treasure.
Fantastic Day
"A few days ago, a good friend and I took a full-day guided fishing trip with Fins & Feathers. It was a fantastic day and was everything they promised and more. They took care of everything, and my friend and I could concentrate on just catching fish (which we did!).
The guide did all of the work and we thoroughly enjoyed the day, as well as his excellent company. I'll be back to Fins & Feathers for more guided fishing trips soon!”
- Mike R.
Depuy's Spring Creek Sections
The Upper Creek
The creek starts at the southern boundary of the DePuy Ranch. The nearby (and aptly named) PhD pool will test the skills and wits of the most experienced angler.
You can reasonably expect to find steadily rising trout here just about every day of the year, but catching them is another matter. Careful presentations of accurate fly imitations on light tippets are essential.
Trout hold along weed beds and subtle depth changes throughout the upper reaches of the creek.
Depuy's Spring Creek Pond
The creek is partially damned near the main house, creating a small pond that holds both resident and transitory trout.
The northern end of the pond has some depth and can offer solid streamer fly fishing in the winter and spring months.
Year-round hatches bring fish to the surface across the pond. Float tubes are recommended for fishing the pond, as wading is very difficult.
The Lower Creek
The lower creek has a few riffle and pool sections where a variety of fly-fishing techniques can be effective.
The pool just below the pond holds some of the largest fish in the creek, but hooking one requires a stealthy approach. Try a single, weighted nymph under a small strike indicator (or dry fly) as you prospect the various current seams along the pool’s edge.
The flat water sections near the bottom of the property hold good numbers of fish that will test the skills and patience of the most advanced caster.
Fly Fishing Through the Seasons
Spring
Montana spring brings the first warm, Chinook winds to Paradise Valley, and with them come the year’s first mayfly and caddis hatches. While nymphing techniques are most effective in early spring, big trout start looking up for blue-winged olives (BWOs) as water temperatures increase. When the legendary Mother’s Day caddis hatch arrives in May, the creek often fills with feeding fish. This remains, however, technical spring creek fishing. Success demands patiently waiting for trout to show themselves as they subtly sip emergers. Accurate, delicate presentations are essential.
Summer
The lush meadows surrounding Depuy's Spring Creek reach full bloom by early summer, and pale morning dun (PMD) mayflies fill the air. The bugs act almost like shift workers, showing up daily at midmorning and knocking off at cocktail hour. The trout respond, delicately rising to these yellow morsels. By evening, the caddis come out and the trout return. When the caddis and PMD hatches wane in late July, terrestrials take center stage. Stealthy anglers will see (and hear) the splashy rises of big trout sipping beetles, ants, and grasshoppers along undercut banks. As the temperatures climb, fishing deep weed edges, and seams with nymphs and terrestrials can produce quality fish.
Fall Fishing
Autumn is underrated on Depuy's Spring Creek. The marquee hatches may be over, but the fish keep feeding and rising. Cooling water temperatures spur trout to gorge as they prepare for the long winter ahead. October and November can bring tremendous midge and blue-winged olive (BWO) hatches. Overcast fall days are a small fly, technical fisher’s dream, delicately feeding midge clusters and BWOs to finicky trout. For the skilled caster, fall can produce some of the best dry fly fishing in Montana.
Winter Fishing
For the adventurous fly angler seeking solitude and trout, mid-winter on Depuy’s Spring Creek provides a world-class experience. Fishing pressure is light and the consistent water temperatures keep trout metabolisms relatively high. Trout continue feeding subsurface throughout the winter months. Some of the best trout of the season are caught every winter by those willing to brave the elements.
Depuy's Spring Creek Fly Fishing Trips
Fins and Feathers Guide Service has been guiding fly anglers in Montana for over two decades. We know technical fly fishing: how to do it, how to teach it, and how to coach it. While a day of highly technical fishing on Depuy’s Spring Creek may feel intimidating to some, it’s a highlight for many of our guests, especially those with fly fishing experience.
Depuy’s offers "match the hatch" Western fly fishing at its finest. Our guides are experts at finding rising fish and coaching anglers from approach through landing these wild, cagey, Montana fish. Experienced anglers should consider adding a day trip to Depuy’s Spring Creek with Fins and Feathers on multi-day Montana fly fishing vacations in Bozeman.
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