The Real McCoy
I just returned from my annual trip to Montana centered on a three day visit to McCoy Spring Creek in Dillon. This year we went in September, about one month later than usual. The weather was fabulous, although the frosty grass at 7AM was a little surprising. My brother and I and two other fishing buddies stayed in delightful cabins in the Dillon area, about five minutes from Sparky's Garage (our local eatery) and ten minutes from the creek. Frontier Anglers Fly Shop is about half way. It's a perfect layout.
This time of year the dry fly fishing is limited to terrestrials with some midges about, and the remaining few Tricos. I hooked, fought and lost a monster Rainbow (well over 20 inches) on a #20 double Trico. The little man-made lake, Kansas Lake has some whales in it. One of the guys caught a Rainbow that he says was five pounds, but I put it at closer to seven. Streamer fishing is a hoot on that little body of water.
There are two beats on the creek; the lower section, Fox Island and the upper, Big Meadow. There is great water on both beats but if I had to choose, I would take Big Meadow. They only allow two anglers per day on each beat, so our group of four books the whole creek for three days. Unlike the big name creeks that allow up to 15 or more anglers per day on the water every day, producing fish that are very difficult to catch mid season and later, the McCoy fish don't get pounded and thus will still eat hopper flies and like in September. Hopper/Dropper rigs work very well.
So if you are headed to the Dillon area during trout season and can plan in advance (they book early) give it a try.