Field and Stream, September 1916
About a week ago we came across this old photo of two Butte fisherman who won the US and Canada Rainbow trout contest in the fly category. There was no date on the photo and I thought it was around the 1940’s. After extensive research we were surprised to find it was September, 1916 Field and Stream issue.
Jack Derville who is on the right won the contest on July 14th. He landed a 12 pound 8 ounce rainbow in the Big Hole River near Divide. The length was 32 inches and girth of 18 inches. It was caught with a hand-made “Ted Ross” fly rod.
Ted Ross, winnerof the second place, was a well known dealer in angling supplies and was a expert on piscatorial matters. So says the article. His catch was 10 pounds and was caught on a #10 hook also on the Big Hole near Divide.
We also found out Jack Derville was drafted in 1917 during WW1, That was all we could find out about him and we could not find anything about Ted Ross.
If there is anyone who could find any more info, I would love to hear it. There must be some record in the Butte area of the “Ted Ross” fly rods.
So why are there no more 10 and 12 pound bows in the Big Hole River?
By the way the article also said it required an hour and 25 minutes to land the first fish. I think they told fish stories back then also.
Big Hole River 509 cfs–Maidenrock