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<On the Lewis and Clark Trail Fishing Guide: Missouri River click here to find another fishing spot
Brown trout

Photo: A nice-looking brown trout. Courtesy Drew Winterer.

Of the Missouri's three forks, the Jefferson attracts the least fishing attention. While its sister rivers, the Gallatin and Madison, garner international glory as destination streams, the Jefferson is left to its slow-moving ways. But the river named for the president who launched the Expedition and chosen by the Corp of Engineers as the source of the Missouri has its own charms.

While cattle have replaced elk, and one mountaintop has been completely displaced by a gold mine (the Golden Sunlight Mine, which recently mined its 1 millionth ounce of gold after 20 years of operation), the valley is still the "open and lovely plain" Lewis described.

taking a closer look

Where to Fish

Where to fish: The Jefferson River, near Cardwell, Montana

How to get there: Take exit 256 off of I-90 at Cardwell. Follow 359 south for one mile to the fishing access on the right.

What to fish for: Brown trout, rainbow trout and whitefish

What to use: Streamers and heavy nymphs are best for fly-fishermen, although summer caddis hatches are often good too. Trout-colored lures work well, while a worm on a hook, fished in the deepest holes (like Goodrich used to do), generally works the best.