Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season.
Montana offers endless outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and tourists alike. Fly fishing for trout on the Bitterroot and its numerous tributaries is one of the most popular of all activities.
As of Friday, May 27, the Montana Snotel site has snowpack in the Bitterroot watershed at 186% of average.
After a dry winter, April and May came in with below average temperatures and above average precipitation.This combination has kept most of our moisture locked up in the high country. Great news as our snowpack was a dismal 83% in March.
The National Weather Service predicts this trend will continue over the next 8-14 days. Beyond that they predict the 3 month period between June and September to have average temperatures and slightly below average precipitation.
If accurate, this is positive news for fly fishers and irrigators. I am anticipating higher than normal flows in June and decent flows lasting into July and maybe early August.
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Painted Rocks reservoir filled on May 18 and the water stored there will supplement flows in August and September. Higher flows in June will present challenges to floaters and wade fishers alike. It may be a couple weeks before runoff recedes.
When you venture out be aware of flows by checking USGS flow data at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/rt . Also check in with fly shops, local guides, shuttle drivers and experienced rowers who know where new hazards are located and what stretches are somewhat safer to float.
The Bitterroot river is one of the most dangerous rivers in the state claiming one life per year on average. If you are new to rowing the Bitterroot river isn’t the best place to learn. Inexperience and failure to wear a life jacket are common denominators in most drowning deaths. Life jackets save lives!
Please note that no woody debris can be removed from water ways without a 310 permit from the Bitterroot Conservation District https://bitterrootcd.org.
I spoke this week to the FWP fisheries biologist for the Bitterroot, Jason Lindstrom to get an idea how fish population are holding up in the river.
Jason conducts annual fish population surveys to determine the health of our fishery. He reported that all trout populations in the Bitterroot are within long-term averages. Surprisingly, West Slope cutthroat trout populations are doing well. This is good news as many of us were concerned about the impact of last year’s drought on native trout. Cutthroat are less tolerant to higher temps than non-native brown and rainbow trout.
FWP is updating its fisheries management plan and there is talk of lowering the temperature threshold for hoot owl restrictions. Nothing has changed yet, but keep an eye out for notices from FWP this summer.
As anglers we should practice good catch and release tactics to reduce stress and mortality on all our trout. These practices include, fishing with barbless hooks, minimize handling and time out of water for fish, stop fishing when water temperatures exceed 65 degrees, and never walk on or fish over spawning redds.
FWP also conducts surveys on angling pressure, and as expected angler use continues to increase and reached a record high last year. This trend will probably continue into the foreseeable future. To reduce our impact and to preserve the resource and the experience please practice good etiquette while angling. Respect other anglers and landowners and try to give folks some space.
Floaters, try to make contact with wade fishermen as you approach and ask if they would like you to float behind or in front of them. A friendly smile and wave can go along way and may even help you find out what fly is working.
There won’t be many good fishing options this weekend on the main river. If you venture out fish side channels and slower runs with nymph rigs. Tributaries are also running high but you may be able to find some better opportunities and solitude.
Memorial Day isn’t just a day off for barbecues, it is a time to honor those who have fallen in service to our nation to preserve our freedom. Have a great summer!
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