More weather by AccuWeather®

Western Montana Fishing report
July 19 thru 26, 2010

Continuing warm temps are providing two things. Lot's of goldens all week, and lowering of water. While the first is a definite plus, the second makes things a little worrisome for later in the season.

Right now, we are calling for low to mid 90's most the week, with things scheduled to cool down toward the end of this week. Let's hope they hit it right, as we can use a cool down.

Saw our first fire this week. It's up in the Skalkaho range and far from the rivers right now. Also have been seeing more and more hoppers skirting the fields and rivers. A good windy day should produce some action for those
inclined to toss a hopper imitation.

With still ample stoneflies and a decent number of mayflies the outlook is still decent fishing for most of the week. If things do not start to cool a little however, we might be looking at some restrictions as the summer goes
on.

Click here for booking information

 

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
July 12 thru 19, 2010

Overall, a pretty good week of fishing. While we did have an off day... Despite good hatches... Overall, it fished all week. With spinner falls in the morning, and stone flies from around 2 till 5, things looked pretty good all week.

With luck, these stones will last another week or two, and by then the hoppers should be fairly thick. If you don't mind a little heat, Western Montana is fishing well.

Click here for booking information

Western Montana Fishing Report
July 5 thru 12, 2010

Bugs, lots of bugs most days. Goldens, pmd's, drakes, sallies, and a few drakes scattered in kept fish looking up most the week. Yet, while the hatches did their best to keep things active, that old bright sun seemed equally intent upon slowing things down. Therefore, in the yin and yang of fishing, it seems we had to have a couple equally slow days... And we did. A couple days, despite good to excellent bug activity, the sun won out and the
fish just quit eating during the day almost completely. Still, those active days balanced the slower ones, which made the week an overall good one.

We've got a couple days of cooler weather predicted, then another heat up. Who knows how the hatches will go, but they should be pretty decent for a few more weeks. About the best thing to do is get on the water and find out for yourself... And, if you're lucky, that old yin and yang might swing the way you want for a day or two and you'll experience a couple of those 'National Geographic' moments of your own.

Click here for booking information

Western Montana Fishing Report
July 1 thru 7, 2010

'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'. I vaguely recall hearing that statement once or twice in my life. I think it was Dickens that made the original statement (though it might have been Lincoln or a dozen
other worthy contenders). Anyway, I believe this individual was referencing the economic/social conditions of the time. I am simply referencing a week of fishing. I'll let you decide which is the most important.

Anyway, we had a couple of our better days this week, and one of the worst days fishing... At least for numbers... As most of us can recall. Chasing salmon flies and golden stones up the West Fork one day in particular last week yielded a paltry half dozen fish between as many boats. Of course, the other 40 boats on the same stretch of river did none better. Is this a condition of weather conditions, or more a statement on how many boats can, or should, fish smaller waters? Perhaps it's finally time to start regulating some of the use on these rivers. A tough but necessary question I think we need to ask.

Anyway, following this disaster, we managed several great days on different waters. The main stem of the Root, as well as both the Clark and Foot, are beginning to fish. This is relieving the pressure on the Fork and once
again, everything seems happy.

Sallies, drakes, pmd's, and the smaller goldens make up the majority of the hatches during the daytime, and caddis fill the hours just before dark. With all the rivers now dropping into shape it's definitely time to get out west and wet a line.

May your fly always match the hatch.

Click here for booking information

 

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
June 23 thru 30, 2010

It was definitely a mixed bag fishing this week. While most days produced some good to excellent fishing on the forks of the Root, there were also a couple days when one of the guys was heard to say, 'on a scale of 1 to 10,
today must have been a -3". Thank goodness those days were not in the majority, we'd be opening a bird watching lodge... One of our clients has spotted 110 species in the last 9 days, predominately on the valley floors.

While all the rivers are continuing to drop, both the Blackfoot and Clark Forks are still running pretty dark, and the Root is just starting to drop into shape for dry fly fishing. Most the salmon flies seem to be done, with just a few scattered remnants to remind us of the chaos that transpired a mere week or two ago.

Water levels remain high in most our streams and the outlook... At least for the immediate future... appears to be for some decent fishing in the coming weeks.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
June 7 thru June 16, 2010

Ok, I know, I'm late again. So what can I say? I'll do better in the future?
Hopefully, I'll try.

Anyway, things are starting to pick up here... On an intermittent scale. Though the salmon flies and goldens continue to pop on most of our rivers, as well as pmd's and a few green drakes already, at least so far, strange
weather seems to be the theme of the summer. Cool, damp weather (at times exceeding damp to the soaking level) is darting in and out of Western Montana.

Because of this weather pattern, it has been difficult to stay on top of the hatch as well as some years. In these conditions, the hatch seems to start, then things shut down while everything seems to await a drying and warming cycle.

While it is still far too early to determine if this is an indication of what the summer holds for western Montana, it is beginning to look like it might be a cool, damp summer. While this might make the fishing a little difficult
at certain moments or days, it might very well bode well for our water levels throughout the summer. We'll just have to wait and see. In the interim, I would strongly suggest bringing a rain coat.

Good fishing, and may your fly always match the hatch.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
June 1 thru 7, 2010

Ok, I know I've been a little lack on the report thing. But, in my defense, it's been high water, and not a whole lot to report on... So I let it slid a little.

No such luck anymore. Salmon flies are out and about, rivers are beginning to drop, and it's time to not only get those reports out, but get on the water.

While all the rivers are up, and a couple of them are really not quite fishable yet, there is definitely water out there to float... And fish. The big thing this time of the year, if you're going to venture onto the water by yourself is, 'be careful'. That water is moving a lot faster than most of you are used to. It pays to watch a lot further downstream, and begin those maneuvers well upstream of normal. Take corners on the inside seams, and
watch behind you periodically for floating logs. Be careful of where you anchor... As a log can easily move most these boats off anchorage and down the river.

Good luck, be safe, and may your fly always match the hatch.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana fishing report
May 12 to present,

Sorry about missing a couple reports. Strange thing happens when the water comes up around here... We kind of space things out. Anyway, since last report, had a pretty good week until the weekend, when the rivers began to
blow. Rivers stayed high and are holding at the present time. The best thing to report right now is... There has been a rumor of a few salmon flies seen up on the Clark Fork. Though not confirmed, it seems that seems to be the way it begins. I'll let you know when things are confirmed.

Click here for booking information

Western Montana Fishing Report
May 3 thru 10, 2010

Another good week of fishing here in western Montana. Thanks in large part to our cooler than normal weather, our snow has remained (what little there is of it) up on the mountains... Leaving our streams and rivers in excellent fishing condition. Add to our lower than normal flows an abundance of caddis and smaller stoneflies, and you have the makings for great fishing.

With warmer weather expected toward the end of the week, I'd look for this snow to start moving a little and possibly milking our waters up by the end of the week. We'll see.

May your fly always match the hatch.

 

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
April 27 thru May 2, 2010

 

Believe it or not, it was a pretty good week of fishing here in Western Montana. Those high, off colored waters that we were experiencing toward the end of last week gave way to lower, clear water that saw fish arising again
in all those old familiar haunts. Our temperatures here dropped from near 80's to high's in the mid 40's to lower 50's, and precipitation reverted from rain back to snow.

Though most our systems are about done with skwala, the 'mothers day caddis' seems more than willing to take it's place. One day last week, I saw caddis that the best way to describe was of 'National Geographic' proportions. There seems to be something about swarms of caddis flitting along the banks of a river with the sun reflecting off their wings and snow capped peaks in the background that one must witness for themselves... As words just don't seem capable of describing.

With another week of cool weather predicted... If we don't get too much rain early in the week... I'd expect another decent week of fishing in Western Montana.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
April 20 thru 27, 2010

Ok, it's finally starting to feel like spring out there. Last week we saw our first real precursor to run off. The rivers all spiked (quite good) around here with flows quadrupling in a couple days. Of course, like all good spring periods, about as quickly as it began, it started to recede.

Temperatures that shot up toward that 80 degree mark early in the week, had returned to something approaching normalcy by the end of the week, and the effects of early week rain had subsided and the rivers dropped into shape by Saturday.

With hatches of skwala, nemora, march browns, grey drakes, bwo's, midge, and caddis all taking place early in the week, one merely had to reach into their fly box, and almost any pattern would elicit some sort of reaction
from a trout. For best overall effectiveness, I'd still have to say a well placed skwala seemed to do the most damage.

I'd look for some pretty decent fishing this week (at least early in the week), then we'll have to wait and see what the weatherman brings us. If we get back to those 70's again, I'd look for things to start blowing up again,
but if they remain in those 50's, and 60's expect good fishing to continue for at least a little while yet.

Enjoy your time on the water; float safe; and may your fly always match the hatch.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
April 12 thru 19, 2010

Until yesterday, it had been a good week of fishing. With mayflies, stones, and caddis all flittering about, floating along current lines, and tucked up against the banks, a fisherman's opportunities were ample. Unfortunately...
For those of us that fish... About mid-week the temperatures really started to jump (70's plus). As a result, our streams made their first bump of the year.

With temps forecast in the mid to upper 70's for the next couple days... Then cooling back down into the 50's by mid-week... I expect the rivers to continue to rise until probably around Thursday or Friday. Once they
stabilize I look for fishing to pick up again. So, unless you can find clear water somewhere, I'd sit back and tie flies the first of the week, mow the lawn, or spend time with the wife and kids and save your fishing till late
this week.

Enjoy the sunshine, and may your fly always match the hatch.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
April 5 thru 12, 2010

Ok, where to start. Overall, it was a good week for fishing here... Except for one day when the wind actually felt like you were fishing the Madison, with gusts to 50 and 60. Otherwise it was pretty good fishing all week. The
low day seemed to be around 20 opportunities/rod, to better days averaging around 50. So far, all the cuts and bows remain in excellent shape though we are starting to see a few of those bows showing signs of spawning activity.

Hatches remain good to excellent. With Skwala, Nemora, Capnia, Midge, BWO's, Grey Drakes, and March Browns all showing on the water at one time or another... On the right days a fisherman can find rising fish from around
noon till dark (or around 8).

Activity levels remain high on the weekends, with the best opportunities for uninterrupted fishing happening on week days. With warm weather predicted for the middle to end of the week, we might start to see these water levels rise a little.

Speaking of rising levels, we had a good week for snowpack here in the Valley. We jumped almost 10% this week alone. With more snow and moisture predicted for the next two days... It's a long way from normal, but it's
beginning to show signs of hope.

Till next week, May Your Fly Always Match the Hatch

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
April 1 thru 7, 2010

Cooler temps reduced the window of opportunity and the best fishing seemed to occur from mid to late afternoon. Add to that chill a healthy portion of wind, and fishing was definitely slower this week than last.

The good news is over the course of the week, we did get some moisture, and the mountains got some snow. Not a lot was recorded, but at this juncture, we will not refuse anything nature decides to bestow upon us. River levels remain low, but most sections are now floatable without requiring too much dragging.

Hatches are continuing to progress nicely. There are still adequate numbers of skawla on the rivers, as well as more and more March Browns, nemora and capnia. Blue winged olives grace the table on the lower, slower waters,
while midge seem to make appearances on all streams for part of the day.

With an unstable weather pattern predicted for most of the coming week, look for the fishing to be best the day after, or before, the big changes. If you're heading over, bring plenty of skwala patterns (big and ugly seemed to
work best last week) and a sampling of the mayflies.

May Your Fly Always Match the Hatch

Click here for booking information

Western Montana Fishing Report
Last one till April 1, 2010

 

Ok, so I'm going down the river yesterday and it dawns on me, I forgot to send a report in this week. Now, that it's April Fools Day, I almost hesitate to send one... As it might be taken as Tom Foolery. But, here goes.

From last we spoke, fishing remained good to excellent until yesterday... And one afternoon when we rounded a corner and came upon a huge project in the river that had muddied up the rest of the float. Weather remained warm (50"s to low 60's) and hatches have been progressing in orderly fashion. But, yesterday, temps got quite cold over night (low 20's), the daytime high barely made mid 40's, and the best I got for a water temp was below 40 for the day. Needless to say, though me managed to eak out a few fish (one nice fatty cutbow a little over 18) you sure didn't want to miss to many of those opportunities.

Water levels have risin a little over the last week or so. Almost all stretches are floatable with very little dragging required anymore. Color remains good, and hatches continue. Right now still adequate numbers of skwala around, and short hatches of March Browns, Blue Wings and midge. Add to that a dusting of nemora and capnia and it's still a pretty diverse plate for the discriminating trout.

Sorry for the delay in sending this. May you fly always match the hatch.

Click here for booking information

 

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
Mar. 15 thru 22, 2010

Where to start? Low water? Warm weather? Great fishing? Or, bugs still just trickling off? I guess I'll just try to tackle them all at once.

Despite unseasonable temperatures, water levels still remain low and visibility is almost too good. Cool... Approaching cold... Nights seem to have been the magic ingredient to this point in the season... Which probably
results in the best top water action still taking place from mid-day on. While most days I see an occasional skwala or two, I have yet to see any in great numbers. Midge activity seems to have slowed a bit, while the beginnings of the Nemora is starting to take place.

While this low water really highlights holding water it also places a premium on presentation and stealth. In most cases stick to that skwala pattern for your best overall results if top fishing. For those of you that prefer mayfly action over stoneflies, we shouldn't be too far away.

May Your Fly Always Match the Hatch

Click here for booking information

 

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
Mar. 8 thru 15, 2010

Consistent air temps that hovered between upper 40's and low 60's kept things pretty consistent on the fishing front also. I got out twice... Maybe thrice... Last week and managed to turn several fish each time out. The best
for me was an 18-19 inch cutbow that was thick and full of fight. All fish were turned on top using skwala patterns on barbless hooks.

The river remains low and full of folks most days. Add to that combination some bright sun, and you might be able to guess my next comment. While a premium is still placed on presenting that fly in a fishing manner... Thereby restricting the amount of line a person can manage across subtle currents... Longer casts (placing your fly at a greater distance) are rewarded more often in these conditions.

Remember, in low water conditions fish tend to form large pods... Making them more nervous; they'll actually start darting about just to pester each other as they are forced to co-habit within normal comfort zones (much like
humans do when crammed together like sardines in a can).

If drift fishing, fish further downstream and concentrate on those slow seams; fishing the slowest part of that seam (nine out of ten times this means the bank edge of that seam). If wading, be a little more silent as you
move up and down stream and try to fish upstream whenever possible to lessen your chance of further spooking already nervous fish. And, finally, seek out those tiny, one fish holes, that exist below that slight jut in the bank or overhanging limb. Especially in low water situations, that is often where the largest fish hang out.

And, for Christina, those fish seem to be biting earlier this week!

May Your Fly Always Match the Hatch

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
Mar. 1 thru 8, 2010

 

Couple things this week. Unseasonably warm weather sparked the beginnings of a Skwala hatch. By Wed. of this week decent top water action took place on something other than midge patterns. Not only did the fish respond to my skwala patterns, they also found time to enjoy a few naturals that managed to find their way onto the water.

The other part to this story is the weather stayed warm right thru the weekend. Those 60 degree days seemed to be a signal for anyone in the tri-state area that owned... Or had access to... A raft or drift boat to get on the water. Fortunately, now that the weather is returning to more seasonable norms and those weekend warriors have gotten their once a year trip under their belt, it should result in better fishing and less pressure.

Other than that, not a lot to report except we are going to try something this year for floaters. We are initiating a site that will help boaters have a safer trip by reporting obstacles to floating. Bear with us, this project
is in it's infancy and is going to take a little time, but hopefully should be up and running in a few weeks.

Click here for booking information

 

Western Montana Fishing Report
March 1, 2010

Ok, it's that time of year again. It's finally time to put away the shotguns and snow shoes, and get out the fly rods and waders. Well, at least it's pretty close.

The biggest thing to report so far is the lack of water. Snow packs are about as low as I can remember, and the outlook is bleak for much improvement. According to the weather folks we're caught in a El Nina (or El Nino and for the life of me I can't keep them straight), which means dry weather in our neck of the woods. There is hope the pattern may change by late May... And help the back end of the season... We'll just have to wait and see.

As for the present, Skwala nymphs are lining up along the banks and they could pop any day. Temps this week are suppose to stay right around 50, which could get some bugs on the water. There are midge and a few blue wings during the day to tease a dry fly fisherman, but most activity is still sub-surface if you want to tag many trout.

Though I wouldn't necessarily rush over this week... Though the weather should be nice and if you like streamer or nymph fishing it's fishing great... Depending on what this week produces, I'd definitely consider making the journey shortly.

 

Click here for booking information