Anaconda Settling Ponds.gif)
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 Normally,
one would not think that the nations largest Superfund site
would harbor any fish at all. Let alone monster trout. Yet,
that is the case at the Anaconda Settling Ponds located north
of Anaconda and fifteen miles west of Butte. These settling
ponds, designed to absorb the toxic metals waste from mining
activities that were done for more than a century upstream,
harbor some huge trout.
The Anaconda Settling
Ponds are part of the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area,
which is managed by the State of Montana. As such, it is managed
for fisheries and wildlife habitat. Besides holding some huge
trout in these ponds, excellent waterfowl populations are
also present.
A short history
of the Anaconda Settling Ponds is probably in order. For more
than a hundred years, extensive copper mining activities occurred
upstream from these ponds at the Butte Copper Mines. Toxic
metals, such as Zinc, Copper and Arsenic, from these mining
activities ended up in a prime tributary of the Clark
Fork, Silver Bow Creek. These toxic metals then washed
down the entire length of the Clark Fork, causing tremendous
environmental damage, which the Clark Fork still suffers from
periodically today.
 Involving
a tremendous and costly cleanup effort, the Anaconda Settling
Ponds were developed to catch and treat all water coming down
from Silver Bow Creek. And the success has been amazing. Silver
Bow Creek, once it leaves the settling ponds, has virtually
no traces of toxic metals or wastes. Additionally, other cleanup
efforts around other tributaries of the Clark Fork, such as
Willow Creek and Warm Springs Creek, have also resulted in
substantially healthier water.
Initially, the
area around the settling ponds was nothing but a mine tailing
wasteland, barren of most everything. Through the planting
of trees, bushes, cattails and other aquatic vegetation, a
surprisingly healthy and beautiful wetland has emerged. While
it hardly compares to a scenic and natural spot found in the
mountains somewhere, most people visiting the Settling Ponds
end up pleasantly surprised how far the region has come from
its barren past not too long ago.
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The settling ponds
themselves were created to hold the mining wastes, acting
as a dam so that the metals didn't end up in the Clark Fork.
The tailings are then covered over with lime to prevent them
from leeching. A series of ponds provides treatment to the
water, with the water being further cleansed as it is transferred
from pond to pond.
The result of all
of this is that some of the ponds hold lots of trout, some
of them huge. In particular, the "Hog Hole and Wildlife
Ponds" are known statewide as a place to catch a huge
rainbow trout. All of the ponds have strict regulations that
differ markedly from statewide fishing regulations. A summary
of these regulations is as follows:
- All ponds
and canals open to fishing from August 15 - September 30.
Catch and release with artificial lures only. No motorized
boats allowed.
- Hog Hole
Pond is open to fishing from May 25 through September 30.
Catch and release only.
- Pond Three
is open from May 25 through September 30. No motorized boats.
Catch and release only.
- Willow
Creek, Clarks Fork, Warm Springs Creek are open to fishing
the entire year. No float fishing. Catch and release only.
With these restrictions
in mind, a float
tube, pontoon
boat or an inflatable
kayak are by far the best boats to use when fishing the
"Hog Hole Pond." Additionally, the "Hog Hole
Pond" is small enough to be fly fished well from shore.
Pond 3, which is significantly larger than the "Hog Hole",
is best fished by a canoe,
pontoon boat or inflatable kayak. It should be noted that
the winds are often strong in this area, presenting paddling
and casting challenges, particularly out on Pond 3.
 Fly
fishing in the settling ponds, particularly the "Hog
Hole Pond" and Pond 3, is no simple task. It requires
patience - these large trout are surrounded by tons of natural
insects. Getting them to take your fly is a huge challenge
that also requires some luck. One approach is to look for
actively feeding fish, then tossing the fly towards the fish.
Stealth is key. Loud splashing in the water is not likely
to get you very far.
Popular flies used
on the "Hog Hole Pond" and Pond 3 include Wolly
Buggers and various leech imitations, sized 2-8. Caddis imitations
such as the Elk Hair Caddis and the X-Caddis in sizes 14-16
also work well. Finally, Damselfly imitations such as the
Swimming Damsel also work well. Also, don't be afraid to switch
over to a sinking or sink tip line, fishing large streamers
down in the depths, especially on Pond 3 which can be quite
deep.
Access to these
ponds is easy and excellent. Roads essentially ring the whole
complex. Trails then take off from the roads, allowing for
an easy walk to the "Hog Hole Pond". Pond 3 can
be driven right up at the picnic area that is located on the
north side of the pond. A boat ramp even exists - just remember,
no motors.
Overall, for any
angler in search of truly large trout (trout here average
2.5 pounds but frequently exceed 10 pounds), the Anaconda
Settling Ponds make for a worthwhile diversion. While the
scenery is less than spectacular and the nearby Interstate
tends to make things noisy, the large trout can make any Montana
fly fishing trip a very memorable one indeed.
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