What a difference a year makes. about this time last year we were faced with low water, warm water temperatures, numerous fishing restrictions and river closures and a fish killing parasite in the Yellowstone River. We survived it all, rather well actually, but there is no denying that conditions were less than ideal in August [...]
In an era when fly fishing for trout is synonymous with the practice of catch and release, one almost forgets the fact that trout can be great to eat. For all the right reasons, there are many modern trout anglers who have never kept, or even thought of keeping, any of their fish. Why? Because [...]
Just finished up my last scheduled guide trip, potentially the end of another season. And perhaps not a minute too soon. Our first valley snow arrived last night with more predicted throughout the week. We'll take it...as much as we can get. Snow and cold make winter better here on many levels. And a big [...]
As of late, the weather has been beautiful. Bluebird skies, warm days...picture perfect in many respects. But it's fall, late September. Rain, at least drizzle, clouds, even snow are often part of the deal and while not always the most comfortable it's what we want, what drives our fishing at this time of year. Fall [...]
Mid September, time to check back with the Missouri. Though it seems to have potential to be at most any point in the year, I'm particularly fond of both spring and fall up here. If I spent the summer and winter up here I'd most likely be including them as well. Needless to say, the [...]
I'm not exactly sure when the first day of fall officially occurs but one can easily sense that it can't be too far away. The days have grown noticeably shorter, the nights much cooler (30s and 40s) and the leaves on our river bottom cottonwoods and willows are just starting to change. As for the [...]
The summer of 2015 has had it's ups and downs with the weather. Cooler cloudy days have provided us with some outstanding trout fishing....those with heat however and bright sun, well...they've provided us with ample challenge. It's then that it pays to be flexible, to understand the potential of the day and to recognize then [...]
It's a classic saying in Montana...."if you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes." Over the course of the past week, that's certainly been the case. The weather has been all over the map and our fishing has followed suit. In the past 7 days we've had major heat and bright sun - ideal [...]
In the modern era of paved parking lots, wide ramps and well kept outhouses, it's still hard to beat the old "slide it down the rocks" type boat ramp. Believe me, the well maintained access sites have their advantages but until they install coffee kiosks and donut stands, I'm still partial to the old roll [...]
After the spell of staggering heat that hung with us in late June and early July, our weather turned. And while it seemed likely the heat would quickly return, it hasn't. For the last 12 days its been the summer we hope for...70s and low 80s, some clouds, some rain, cool nights. Water temps that [...]
