Tom Miner Creek is a small freestone stream that runs through our ranch for more than 3 miles. And there is also a meadow section that is on state land that is wonderful.

The meadow section fishes well early in the season when the water is high and cold. Cutts, browns, bows and brookies can all be had here. It is a rocky stream here with many pools and riffles. Shallow runs and riffles will hold fish where you can't believe there is enough water. The pools hold fish you can't believe are in a stream this small. Attractor patterns are the norm here, with some terrestrials when the weather gets warmer.

Our private section is mostly pocket water in heavy pine forests and meadows with thick willows on the banks. The preferred method is to work your way upstream by wading right in the stream. Many fish are caught by just dangling your fly in a likely pocket. There is a small meadow section that is fairly open, and holds many fish.

Tom Miner Creek is about exploration as much as fishing. The idea is to cover lots of water while still putting your fly into every likely spot. One or two passes in a pocket is usually enough find out if there is a fish there or not. The number of fish caught can get crazy sometimes, even though a 10" fish would be considered large. There has been a 16" brown taken from this small creek, though. And every once in a while a fish will get hooked that just goes straight to the bottom of the pool and breaks you off. Makes you wonder...

Yellowstone Park | Yellowstone River | Merrell Lake | Tom Miner Creek | Spring Creeks | Ramshorn Lake | Other Water