The last several days my fishing colleagues and I have chatted a time or two about the dramatic reports of snow-induced travails of those living along the eastern seaboard.

The media has portrayed a couple of feet of snow as an almost apocalyptic event, paralyzing the cities and and painting a broad stripe of hardship across a fairly impressive expanse of geography and culture.

Not that anyone gives a hoot in hell, but we call bullshit and say send the snow out to our neighborhood – we’d love to have it piling up on the neighborhood peaks.

Ed reminds me this morning that we had a two foot snow fall late last fall here in Bozeman that didn’t even grant local school kids late arrival that morning, and there sure as hell wasn’t a shapely Weather Channel info-babe assigned to cover our struggles……(Montana for the most part remains invisible on the national news radar – a fact which grants the majority of her residents quiet pleasure).

There is a bit more sincere grumbling about the snowpack being offered up by the locals – it’s pretty skinny for this time of year.  Here’s the latest from the Snotel site this morning per watershed…..

It’s easy to tell that no watershed is in great shape (save for the Smith et al) right now, and the Bitterroot and Clark Fork look really skinny.

The short term climatology forecasts don’t exactly offer a great deal of encouragement at this point in time – here are the temp and precip forecasts for the nation for March-April-May.  Looks like El Nino is still in charge….

We’re putting our money on an early and very fishable spring season for the neighborhood with a skinny water summer and fall.  Hope I’m wrong.

Tags: Weather

Getting close – the sun is out and the birds are singing this morning in Bozeman.  The Twelve Days of Yellowstone – Day 11: 

On the eleventh day of Yellowstone my fishing buddy gave to me –

Eleven fishers casting
Ten Tourists Tripping
Nine Dancing Drakes
Eight Brookies Biting
Seven Swans a-Sunning
Six Geese a-Swimming
Five Golden Rings
Four Rising Cutthroat
Three bald eagles
Two golden stones
And a Winston Boron II-MX Rod.

Tags: So What?

Damn these big April storms.  I’m gonna have to get a snowblower with some power. 

I got just right at two feet of snow at my cabin this past week with drifts easily pushing four feet.  People were stuck everywhere, and it’s going to be muddy and crappy when it melts around here – the tribs will go off for sure. 

I drifted the dam to Craig yesterday afternoon; it was cold (30s) with a brisk north wind.  Several decent fish on streamers deep and nymphing out of my boat.  Saw some olives but no consistently rising fish. 

That should change with 50 due today and 55 tomorrow; be ready for olives and I’d work subsurface stuff pretty hard.  Yep, we’re still fishing pink over here. 

The upcoming weather looks much better for fly fishing with clouds, showers and milder temps due.  Not a super exciting report this week – have to call ‘em like I see ‘em. 

Come on spring.

Tags: River - Missouri

That time of year has finally arrived – the promise of spring is in the air, taunting mountainfolk, a hint of the summer to come.  And, as all too often happens in the north country, there are days when the approach of spring is delayed by a late, last blast of winter.  Snow, rain, wind, and cold weather make everyone a little moody when spring is nearing.  After six months of cold, snow-covered existence, residents are more than ready for some sunshine and green grass!

We tend to make the best of what is given us, though.  Montanans know that spring will indeed inevitably come and some of us act like it is already here.  It’s not uncommon on a cold spring day to see die-hards out in tee-shirts, baggies, and Tevas; staunchly refusing to acknowledge the freezing temperatures outside.

Strolling around Missoula lately; I have noticed several signs of spring’s arrival.  Sure, the grass is showing signs of greening, but locals tend to judge the weather by if the Clark Fork River, running through town, is off color (as shown in the picture from yesterday afternoon).  Rain, wind, and cold weather don’t discourage the local kayakers, either.  They simply gear up in dry suits and hit the “sweet spots” as the water level rises slightly.

Neighbors pull out the smokers and begin to smoke the early season fish that have been caught; knowing that soon there will be a plethora of more fish.  Anglers begin to stock up on the summer favorites – I met a man buying 40+ grasshoppers the other day in a local shop.  When I asked about his purchase, he simply said that he was “getting ready for that time” and expressed a wish to avoid any delays at all once the grasshopper season came.  Locals buy fly tying materials, making use of the bad weather to tie some dries, trusting in the fact that the future will bring warm weather and good fishing.

You know you live in Montana when a late spring snow is viewed not as a nuisance, but as the coming summer’s water.

Tags: Women in Fly Fishing

Spring is my favorite time of year.  Everything starts to green up after a long winter, the air begins to get crisp and fresh, the sun stays out longer, and the fishing becomes really good.  Spring always seems like a fresh start to me, and it is a great time of year to upgrade some of your old fishing equipment.

Not that I have anything against old gear, just the opposite in fact.  I think that most things are not properly broken in until they have been battered, beaten and perhaps duct-taped back together.  Take my jeep for example.  But, there is always something deep inside that pushes us for the newest and the best.

Wading boots are a great thing to upgrade in the spring.  With an amazing array of models on the market such as Korker’s Predator and Patagonia’s Riverwalkers, sometimes the choice seems daunting.  Here are some things to keep in mind.  More and more fishermen are switching from felt soles to rubber.  One of the main reasons for this is stopping the spread of nusiance species.  Today, new breakthroughs in rubber technology have produced material that provide just as much, if not more, grip and traction as felt.  Of course, studs help.  Removable soles, such as those on Korkers’ boots, are a good choice, allowing you to switch given the conditions.

Walking into a fly shop, few things are more tempting than the rack of rods.  Who can resist walking over and giving them a look?  If you are like me, you have a long list of the rods you need. No matter the situation, a competent fly fisherman can come up with a need to explain a new purchase to the wife, girlfriend, or other figure who might turn their nose up at the new addition to your rod collection.  Spring is the perfect time to buy that new rod.  Perhaps you need one for chucking streamers during spawns and runoff.  Or maybe that small stream 3-weight is calling your name. 

Spring fishing can be cold.  Very cold.  The air temperatures haven’t quite reached the comfortable level and the water is still cold enough to need wader fleece.  Wader fleece or long underwear can be a life saver on long spring days.  A fleece jacket is also a good investment.  Fleece is lightweight and warm, making it perfect for the river.  However, in my circle of friends, a ratty old sweatshirt is the outerwear of choice.  A waterproof jacket is invaluable for the often unpredictable spring weather.

Fly selection in the spring around these parts consists of large, heavy nymphs and a smattering of dries to match the midge and Blue Winged Olive hatches.  As the water warms and the fish become more active, putting something big and buggy in their face, like a bead head stonefly nymph, can lead to some monster spring trout.  Streamers can also be quite productive during the spring.  Spring also brings the Skwalas, a productive hatch with big bugs.  Once you catch this hatch, you will keep coming back for it year after year.  Dont’t miss it.

Tags: Gear