Big Hole River 3780 cfs–Maidenrock
The river spiked a bit today making the fishing a bit more difficult. We still got some nice ones on salmon fly patterns but the two biggest were on streamers.
The river is still running bank full and can be dangerous if your not careful. This morning we were in the Dewey Canyon and I was using the raft just because it’s safer and I can get into tighter places and through the rocks better than the drift boat. One of the guys asked why we were using the raft when he saw a drift boat in front of us and it seemed to be doing fine. Next thing I looked down river and the drift boat was under water with only the bow sticking out of the water. We raced down there and the guide had managed to get it stopped near the shore. The two older gents had made it to the bank and were very lucky. They were wet, cold and shaken but ok. We gathered as much gear as we could find in the willows. The boat was basically under water and not going any where at that point. I had the older gent get in my boat and there was another boat coming to take the other two. All this came out with no injury and just lots of gear lost. Very lucky indeed. This was with an experienced guide on the sticks but a little mishap and your toast.
On a final note I was helping doing shuttles until nine this evening. A couple guys had filled out a shuttle sheet stating they were going from Maidenrock to Glen. Their rig was not at Maidenrock. The shuttle crew checked it out twice at different times. The only thing I could think of was that they put in at Maidenrock Fish and Game. So we drove all the way back to that no account access and sure enough there it was. We got it the Glen access at almost nine and the kid said what the hell took you so long. Not a good thing to say to me at this hour. I calmly explained they put in at the wrong place and there was an extra twenty buck charge on this shuttle. He paid it promptly. Just to let everyone know, WE DO NOT DO SHUTTLES TO MAIDENROCK FISH AND GAME ACCESS. People who use that are a bit retarded anyway as you can float to Melrose faster than you can drive that dirty rough road. It is called the dead zone for a reason and should be stricken from all maps—-just venting a bit and feel better for it.