Posts from — March 2008

Move over Arnold, behold the Rodenator. Ok, this looks like it has some entertainment value besides its real purpose. I was reading a news blip today about a couple of guys in Alberta that were out “bunker busting” with their Rodenator and they accidentally set the surrounding prairie on fire. A few outbuildings burned and about 160 acres torched. I think a remake of Caddy Shack is in order, Caddy Shack II- Return of the Rondenator.

When we left for southwest Montana Thursday it was a typical “spring in the rockies” kind of day, every configuration of weather from all points of the compass. Friday was more of the same. Fortunately, the fishing at least held some promise.

Nothing but an occasional Midge was skittering across the surface of the upper Clark Fork so it was nymph’s all way. This old Brown bit on a Ray Charles. He was definitely the highlight of the day. After a couple of hours of wind, sun, snow and water we beat a hasty retreat for the indoors.

Fish seemed to be pretty scarce compared to this time last year. The upper Clark Fork has been beat pretty hard by drought and last years temps climbed fast in early July with flows dropping quickly at the same time.

Hopefully, it was just an off day- it definitely was for me.

The sun rose in a clear, cold sky Saturday morning. Overnight lows were in the low teens- brrrr. It looked good from the inside. First stop was a visit with Paul at “Fish On” in Butte, (406) 494-4218. Paul set us up with the proper bugs and pointed us in the right direction for the Bighole. The day warmed quickly and by early afternoon we were standing in the river, a light wind with the sun still with us. Paul mentioned we should not say the “w” word and of course we heeded his caution.

We started at the Maiden Rock access. Early on it was questionable whether the loss of sensation in the lower extremities was really worth it- one fish and not to impressive at that. After blasting the car heater on our feet and a cup of strong coffee from the bar at Melrose we were ready to go at it again.

Down the road a bit we found a likely spot and headed for the river. On the walk down it was apparent right away that the weather had improved, no breeze, just the sound of the river and the few birds that were making inroads as the cold season retreated.

Fifteen minutes or so of casting a gold Hares Ear in the afternoon sun and I was starting to drift off a bit, the river and the sun were casting a spell. My skin was soaking in some real heat from the outdoors, it was a body thaw. Every few casts I would snap out of it long enough to free my hook of the algae and flotsam I’d picked up off the bottom of the river. Finally, as I steeped like a tea bag in a hot cup of water, it happened. I was on a mental lark in the sunlight, my line was just finishing out a drift and wham. “Beam me up, Scotty!”. With all my particles gathering themselves again, my line went suddenly slack. From the silver sunlit water the fish jumped, once, twice, three times. The first leap was the best, it was like a dolphin, nose up and a spin with the water flying like a thousand little flecks of mercury. Back in the water the line went tight again and he made his runs, a few minutes later, after a quick picture he was back where he started.

Three more followed before we had to run for an early Easter dinner. It was a tough call, being late is the norm, its almost expected, but being late for Easter dinner could bring down some real heat so we reluctantly gave up our little Eden for a spot at the table.

Sunday is always a little depressing because you know its the beginning of the end. As Easters go in Montana, it was one of the nicer days I can remember. Very little wind, mostly sunny, and it was actually warm. So warm in fact that the Browns in Warm Springs creek were feeding at the surface. We were spazzing out! Dry flys! Emergers! Generally these fish aren’t big, once or twice a year you catch one 18 inches or so, most come in around 12-13. But they are willing enough. A size 18 BWO or Adams and its “game on”. Three hours of that (when you should have been driving home) and the well is starting to fill again. Its really spring, and yes, the ice is really finally letting go!

After plugging up Norman Maclean’s Blackfoot River as well as the Clark fork for over a hundred years, next week will see them flowing free again. The site is one of the countries largest superfund sites that originates 120 miles upriver in Butte and Anaconda where copper was mined from 1880 to 2005. Workers have been removing the toxic sludge built up behind the dam in preparation of for the breach which is scheduled for next Tuesday.

In the mid 90’s an ice jam sent a flush of toxic water over the dam that resulted in a massive fish kill below the dam. Its also been cited for nearby ground water contamination issues.

There is a lot of talk on possible fish kills during the breach, but at least this time most of the contaminants will not exist. The real story will be in the years to come. Taking a dam out can only be good for the fish and the fisherman.

Read more here:

Todays Missoulian article.

Some History

Clean up details

Let’s hope that this sets the tone for more removal projects throughout the west!

Men and their dogs. Friends, workmates, a buddy when no one else is. Dogs don’t ask for much- food, shelter and a buddy in return. In a lifetime you might get a dog or two that stands above the rest. This dog, Skidboot was one of those.