Looking north at Fleecer Mountain
This year is looking up for the anglers of SW Montana. Last year at this time Lia and I had not even had a chance to dust off our ski/snowboard equipment. This year we have already been out 3 times with fantastic snow, and are looking forward to many more. The snow has been falling steadily and the temps have remained low, keeping it in the hills where it belongs, for now. The numbers in the Big Hole drainage are fantastic, with snowpacks hovering between 110% and 180%, depending on the station. Of course, it is too early to tell if this snow will hold up, and for how long. Being a fisherman, I tend to lean towards the optimistic, with hopes that this summer will be much wetter, with fewer fires. Here is a link to the webcam on top of Lost Trail Pass, which serves as a major drainage for the Big Hole River.
While Al is in the Bahamas soaking up the sun, and who knows what else, Lia, John, and I have been busy ordering new flies and gear for the shop, and planning how we can make this season better than the last. The 2015 season saw all of our large hatches (Skwalla, Salmon Fly, Golden Stone, Caddis) arrive up two weeks earlier than any of us would have predicted. In anticipation of the fishing season, Great Divide Outfitters is offering a screaming deal on early season guided fishing. If you are one of those folks who has thought about taking a guided trip on any of our beautiful waterways, or those that just like to fish in the spring when the traffic on the river is minimal, this might be a great opportunity. We are offering trips for 2 anglers at $325 and 1 angler at $300 (40% discount!) on either the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, Ruby, and Upper Clarks Fork up until the 1st of June. The guides will be fresh, and the fish will be feisty after their long winters nap, so give us a call (406.544.9815) or email us at craig@bigholetrout.com and get bent before the crowds show up!
We wish all of our fellow anglers a Happy New Year and tight lines,
Craig, Lia, and John (and we, of course, can’t forget Big Al!)