Category — Fishing in general

This is the latest on low flows from Montana NRCS. Almost all are a month behind where they were last year. So, as summer comes to an end it looks pretty good going into fall. With temperatures climbing (Missoula and Kalispell set records today, 100° and 98° respectively) the hoppers are flourishing. Time to break out the foam bugs.

Blackfoot River at Bonner updated August 18, 2008.

Assuming average precipitation the Blackfoot River should reach 700 cfs between August 25 and August 29.

Assuming below average precipitation, the Blackfoot River should reach 700 cfs between August 20 and August 25.

Assuming well below average precipitation, the Blackfoot River should reach 700 cfs between August 13 and August 20.

This year the river reached 700 cfs on August 17. Last year (2007) the river reached 700 cfs on July 23. This year the river receded to 2,000 cfs on July 14. Last year the river receded to 2,000 cfs on June 21. This year the river receded to 1500 cfs on July 19. Last year the river receded to 1500 cfs on June 28. This year the river receded to 1000 cfs on July 30. Last year the river receded to 1000 cfs on July 8.

This is the final update for this year.

Big Hole River near Wisdom updated August 18, 2008.

Assuming average precipitation and normal management, the Big Hole near Wisdom should reach 20 cfs between August 28 and August 31.

Assuming below average precipitation and normal management, the Bighole near Wisdom should reach 20 cfs between August 25 and August 28.

Assuming well below average precipitation and normal management, the Bighole near Wisdom should reach 20 cfs between August 21 and August 25.

This year the river receded to 150 cfs July 11. Last year the river receded to 150 cfs June 16. This year the river receded to 60 cfs on August 5. Last year the river receded to 60 cfs June 21. Last year the river receded to 40 cfs June 22.

This is the final update for this year.

Big Hole River near Melrose updated August 7, 2008.

Assuming average precipitation and normal management, the Big Hole near Melrose should reach 250 cfs between August 27 and September 1.

Assuming below average precipitation and normal management, the Big Hole near Melrose should reach 250 cfs between August 21 and August 27.

Assuming well below average precipitation and normal management, the Big Hole near Melrose should reach 250 cfs between August 13 and August 21.

This year the river receded to 1000 cfs on July 20. Last year (2007) the river receded to 1000 cfs on June 24. This year the river receded to 500 cfs on August 4. Last year the river receded to 500 cfs on July 4. Last year the river receded to 250 cfs on July 30. Last year the river receded to 200 cfs on August 2.

The next update will be when the river recedes to 250 cfs.

Smith River near Fort Logan updated August 7, 2008.

Assuming average precipitation the Smith River near Fort Logan should reach 100 cfs between August 9 and September 3.

Assuming below average precipitation the Smith River near Fort Logan should reach 100 cfs between July 30 and August 24.

Assuming well below average precipitation the Smith River near Fort Logan should reach 100 cfs between July 15 and August 9.

This year the river receded to 100 cfs on August 6. Last year (2007) the river reached 100 cfs June 20.

Dearborn River near Craig updated August 15, 2008.

Assuming average precipitation and normal management, the Dearborn River near Craig should reach 60 cfs between August 24 and August 29.

Assuming below average precipitation and normal management, the Dearborn River near Craig should reach 60 cfs between August 19 and August 24.

Assuming well below average precipitation and normal management, the Dearborn River near Craig should reach 60 cfs between August 11 and August 19.

This year the river receded to 150 cfs on July 24. Last year (2007) the river receded to 150 cfs on June 26. This year the river receded to 80 cfs on August 14. Last year the river receded to 80 cfs on July 9. Last year the river receded to 60 cfs on July 19. Last year the river receded to 40 cfs on August 1.

The next update will be when the river recedes to 60 cfs.

Gallatin River near Gateway updated August 13, 2008.

Assuming average precipitation, the Gallatin River near Gateway should reach 500 cfs between September 1 and September 6.

Assuming below average precipitation, the Gallatin River near Gateway should reach 500 cfs between August 27 and September 1.

Assuming well below average precipitation, the Gallatin River near Gateway should reach 500 cfs between August 21 and August 27.

Last year (2007) the river reached 500 cfs July 22. This year the river receded to 1500 cfs on July 24. Last year the river receded to 1500 cfs on June 21. This year the river receded to 1000 cfs on July 31. Last year the river receded to 1000 cfs on June 29. This year the river receded to 800 cfs on August 12. Last year the river receded to 800 cfs on July 5.

This is the final update for this year.

Jefferson River near Twin Bridges updated July 31, 2008.

Assuming normal management and average precipitation, the Jefferson River near Twin Bridges should reach 400 cfs between August 10 and August 15.

Assuming normal management and below average precipitation, the Jefferson River near Twin Bridges should reach 400 cfs between August 4 and August 10.

Assuming normal management and well below average precipitation, the Jefferson River near Twin Bridges should reach 400 cfs between July 27 and August 4.

This year the river receded to 2500 cfs on July 10. Last year the river receded to 2500 cfs on June 16. This year the river receded to 1500 cfs on July 14. Last year the river receded to 1500 cfs on June 22. This year the river receded to 1000 cfs on July 27. Last year the river receded to 1000 cfs on June 26. This year the river receded to 600 cfs on August 1. Last year the river receded to 600 cfs on July 5. Last year the river receded to 400 cfs on July 23.

The next update will be when the river recedes to 400 cfs.

Tom over at Trout Underground posted a story about “Glamping” that was published by the newspaper in Calgary. The twist to this blue blood fishing camp is that its for women. Now, at $5500 for 3 days I think we can safely say that these gals could be using $50 bills for toilet paper. In marketing jargon, their psychographics tell us they are ripe for a good cherry picking.

While the whole concept of “glamping” is as disgusting to me as it the rest of of the fly fishing peasantry, I think we’re missing an opportunity here. We need to find a guide, with the proper “stature” of course, and get him hired. We would of course have to make a little investment to get him attired properly, new Sage rods, full Simms regalia, a shaving kit, a supply of something besides Hamm’s beer (it could come out his share of the spoils). I would nominate someone over at “Buster wants to Fish” as our pilgrim of pillage to break down the walls to this Bastille of “booty”. Someone with a Genghis Kahn approach. Our fishing gigalo.

While this smells an awful lot like the present political process in the US at least this would be for a good cause. Kind of a Robin Hood fly fishing tale, with the sun setting on us in our rivers, fishing in a new pair of waders, with a new rod, finishing the day with fresh sandwiches and the latest new micro brews.

This is a Soft Hackle Pattern I have been using in some local Montana rivers. Nothing special. Sometimes I dub a body, maybe some copper wire over it etc. When Caddis are around, tans, light brown, olive brown etc. Black seems to work well late evening near dark.

The biot body is something new I tried and the fish seem to really like it so I am tying up a few so I don’t run out- like I did on my last outing.

Hook:Tiemco 3761 (or whatever you like)

Thread: Olive

Body: Biot

Hackle (legs): Olive Partridge

Ok, I hate to put a chill on summer but the kids found this and it is to funny…