Continued from Waters We Fish

Buckingham Lake

Buckingham Lake has definitely gone through it's cycles. It was absolutely outstanding 5 years ago with rainbows close to the 30 inch mark with solid humpback 18" brookies. Unfortunately due to poor management and poachers, most of the huge fish were cleaned out. Now that the lake has returned to one of the original managers, it has drastically improved. Last year they even stocked the lake with a few thousand robust brown trout. In 2008 we did a few trips that were very worth while, although the browns were too small to catch. 2009 should be an excellent year for fishing this wonderful lake. Outside of the new manager, we are the only guide operation that has access to this lake. Needless to say these fish are well rested and unpressured compared to other popular lakes that all fly shops have access to. Fair warning, White Sulphur Springs is a good hike from Livingston - it takes about an hour an a half to get up there. The nice thing is that it is one of the most scenic drives in Montana.  This is the Montana that people often think about, that undeniable "Big Sky" with vast open land and several surrounding mountain chains. 

Although Buckingham Lake is smaller in size than Burn's Lake, it is significantly deeper.  The oldest class of rainbows (which were mostly wiped out by poachers) have been weighed on a scale up to 10 pounds.  There are two younger age classes of rainbows, one which is over 20", the other about 16".  In order to get the brook trout back into balance, most of them were purposely harvested.  To a brook trout fanatic this might sound crazy, but finding a natural equilibrium for a lake is the key to it's long term success.  You'll still catch brookies, and the one's that remain have grown some serious heads and shoulders.  What we are all waiting for however is the brown fingerlings to grow up.  Last year they stocked about 3,000 of them, which will gain weight quickly. In 2009 these fish will have grown an average of 12 - 16".  In 2012 they should be bona fide monsters.  

Buckingham Lake is certainly one of your best shots for trophy fish.  This lake also makes for spectacular photos.  Since it is nestled within the hills it is also usually out of the wind.  Access is limited to one boat per day and is rested at least a day or two before another booking.  One trick that the owner has done in the spring is to use an aerator to keep the lake's oxygen at A+ levels.  This keeps the fish food happy, and likewise is good for growing fish that look (and fight) like body builders. 

What flies should you bring?  Your guide will know what are the hot flies to bring, but to here are a few flies that are definitely worth packing along from home:

Size #18 Tan Sparkle Scuds

Size #18 Olive Sparkle Scuds

Size #12 Barr's Damsel Nymph

Size #14 Wollum Snail

Size #14 Black Pig Pen Leech

Size #12 Black Tad Pole

Size #18 Zebra Midge

Size #16 Red Chironomids

Size #6   Multi-colored woolly bugger

Size #12 Stalcup Damsel Dry

Size #10 Elk Hair Caddis (Sedge)

Size #16 René Harrop Callibaetis Dry

Size #16 René Harrop Callibaetis Spinner

Size #6   Grand Hopper