willdiscosuperfly said:
Congrats on the relocation 87! I've driven by the Blue Damsel several times headed to the campgrounds, but will need to plan a stay to meet you. Rock Creek is a real gem and my all-time favorite trout stream. Although the average trout is of moderate size, they are feisty and the wildlife cannot be beat. I've looked into the Blue Damsel before, but never understood why they seemed to promote other fisheries so much despite Rock Creek literally being in the back yard.
Next time you drive by stop, have a beer and say Hello, or book a stay.
Jenny and I will now be offering guided wade trips on Rock Creek for the Blue Damsel. The reason the lodge didn't promote fishing Rock Creek as much in the past was because of Montana's Guide & Outfitter laws. Almost all of the fishing on the creek had to be self guided for the lodge guests and a Blue Damsel employee could not be anywhere around while they were fishing. There were some obvious safety concerns about encouraging a 70 year old guy from Houston to head out alone to fish a slick, fast flowing creek in Montana .
Rock Creek is a Special Permit Water for guides and outfitters with a limited number of trips allowed per year.. Only 4 Outfitters control all of the available guide days on the creek. The outfitter who the lodge contracts with to do float trips has Rock Creek wade permits but wasn't using them often because the typical Montana fly fishing guide wants to do float trips and not wade trips. We have worked out an agreement to acquire most of the available wade trip permits from that outfitter if we just stick to guiding on Rock Creek and its tributaries in the future.
