The last time I visited Montana was three winters ago, and I remember the trip vividly because of the mountain whitefish.

The temperatures had dropped to a point where all the fish I sought were too sluggish to bite - all except the mountain whitefish.

In fact, I couldn't keep the whitefish off my prince nymph on that trip, and to this day, the only mountain whitefish I've ever caught were on my three trips to Montana.

But after reading all the reports about mountain whitefish numbers dwindling in Montana, I'm starting to wonder if I'll be running into any whitefish on my next trip to Missoula or Bozeman.

According to the Bozeman Chronicle, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana State's Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Madison River Foundation launched an effort to assess the population of mountain whitefish on the Madison River.

Biologist hope establishing population estimates, spawning areas and age classes will help determine the cause of the decline of the native species, not only in Montana but in other states such as Idaho and Colorado where population declines have been reported as well.

Montana mountain whitefish photo by Brian Milne.

For the third time in as many months, I have the unfortunate job of writing about the death of another legend of fly fishing.

Hall of fame saltwater angler Billy Pate, who held the world record for largest tarpon caught on 16-pount tippet, died April 18. He was 81. Pate was inducted into the International Game Fish Associate Hall of Fame in 2003.

His death comes on the heels of two more losses in the fly fishing community this year.

Back in February, we reported that legendary California fly fishing instructor and naturalist Neal Taylor passed away.

Then, in late March, legendary reel maker Stanley Bogdan died at the age of 92. Bogdan made reels for outdoors enthusiasts such as Hall of Fame slugger Ted Williams, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, singer Bing Crosby and jazz legend Benny Goodman.

All of these losses are a reminder to cherish the generation of fly fishers before us, and learn everything we can from them ... both now and after they're gone thanks to the legacy they've left behind. Let's keep our lines tight for them.

Terry Drinkwine not only has a classic name, he brings up a good question in his latest piece for the DailyTribune.com:

Is fly fishing for people with more money than sense?

While it's true the sport can be a bit expensive, particularly for those of us who are diehards and want the best rods, reels and lines that money can buy. But when it boils down to it, fly fishing doesn't have to be any more expensive than any other hobby of yours.

In fact, I spend as much on surfing as I do on fly fishing these days.

Think about it. A decent fly rod and reel combo doesn't cost much more than a decent surfboard.

And if you don't go nuts with the accessories, and even tie some of your own flies, the only additional expenses you have to worry about when going on that next fly fishing trip is gas money. Same thing with surfing nowadays. After the upfront costs, you biggest expense is gas money, particularly right now when gas is north of $4.25 a gallon.

Consider this: a newcomer to fly fishing can now buy a solid Redington Crosswater fly fishing rod and reel combo for $119, and have a rod and reel setup that's ready to fish (lines included) right out of the box. All you need is a few flies and a tippet. It even comes with a nifty traveling case.

If you're interested in picking up this inexpensive rod and reel, here's a review on the main Redington Crosswater fly rod and reel.

And here's a review on Redington's Crosswater Youth Outfit.

If you're thinking about getting a new fly fishing setup, or are looking to pick one up for a friend or family member, now's the time to gear up. Trout season, if it hasn't already started around your neck of the woods, is just around the corner.

The Tournament of Flies came to a close this weekend, and the ol' stand by, Elk Hair Caddis, remained on top like a good dry fly does.

Elk Hair held off Hare's Ear to win About.com's first Tournament of Fly Fishing Patterns, a 64-team tournament that pit the best flies and patterns in fly fishing against one another.

Elk Hair won with 80% of the reader vote in the tournament finale.

For a look at the final bracket, be sure to check out http://challonge.com/flyfishing.

Here's a look at the final standings:

Champion: Elk Hair Caddis

Runner-up: Hare's Ear

3rd place tie: Pheasant Tail Blue Winged Olive.

5th place tie: Woolly Bugger Clouser Minnow PMD Parachute Adams.

9th place tie: Adams Soft Hackle Prince Nymph Light Cahill Royal Wulff Griffith's Gnat Brassie Rubber-Legged Hare's Ear

17th place tie: Muddler Minnow Dave's Hopper Rusty Spinner Green Drake Coachman Stimulator Copper John Black Ant Black Midge CDC Emerger Trico Spinner Humpy Sparkle Dun Lefty's Deceiver Deer Hair Popper Flat Head Sculpin.

33rd place tie: Black Ghost Zonker RS-2 March Brown Spider Sponge Spider Dahlberg Diver Egg Fly Brown Hackle Peacock Gray Hackle Yellow Woolly Worm Salmon Fly Serendipity Gray Goose San Juan Worm Gold Head Pupa Irish Mallard & Claret Willie Gunn Goat's Toe Detached Body Mayfly Balloon Caddis Rabbit Fly Baetis Nymph Scud Czech Nymph Marabou Damsel Black Tadpole Egg-sucking leech Gummy Minnow Black Death Parachute Hopper Gold Stone Purple Haze.

So what did you think of the final results? Is the Elk Hair Caddis currently the best fly in fly fishing? Share your comments below.