Continued from Waters We Fish

Buckingham Lake

A trip to Buckingham starts with a scenic drive through Montana's "Big Sky" country on HWY 89 North.  This is the Montana that people often think about, with vast open land and several surrounding mountain chains. 

Although Buckingham Lake is smaller in size than Burn's Lake, it is very deep.  Massive rainbows, (weighed on a scale up to 10 pounds) share the water with monster size, hunchback Brook Trout.  Angler's interested in hooking up with a big Brookie, should fish along the wooded bank jigging multi-colored wooly buggers, olive scuds, and small bead heads.   

Buckingham Lake is your best shot for a trophy fish.  Buckingham is smaller than Burns, but also deeper with a rich food content, which has allowed its massive trout to grow about the size of your thigh!  A 7-10 pound Rainbow is certainly not out of the question, nor is a monster hump-backed Brookie at 3-4 pounds.  This lake makes for spectacular photos and can give you the smile of your fishing season.  Access is limited to guided parties of 2 people per day, and the rod fee is $90/rod. 

Also, after battling all those toads, you might want to consider a soak in the hot springs at "The Spa" in White Sulfur Springs.  Clean suits and towels are available to rent for $1 each. 

Bob Bergquist holds a healthy bow for a Robert Ebeling Jr. on Buckingham Lake

June brings heavy hatches of Callibaetis mayflies and damselflies on most of these lakes, but we will start to see them in May.  The late summer fishing on a windy afternoon with hoppers patterns can be phenomenal.  A huge caddis also comes off at Buckingham (about a size #12).  Green Scuds, midge larva, and small bead heads also work wonders on these big boys.

   George Anderson with big bow

    Dr. Robert Ebling with a fat

           Buckingham Brookie

   Kevney Dugan with a nice Brookie

       George with a hefty hog