Over the years I have learned there are 4 factors that seem to drive how the season shapes up.
The first is the years Snow pack. This years snow pack was pretty good when you factor in the amount of moisture that was present in the snow. The second; and maybe more important, is the temps and the precipitation that we have during Spring. This year we did have some warm weather But, we also had great rainfall. The third is how cool and wet June is. June is supposed to be our wettest month. Unfortunately, the last two years it wasn’t. But, this year so far it is looking pretty good. We have had rain, and the extend outlook is for cool wet weather through the 10th of the month. The last factor is if we have any rain in July. Typically we don’t. But not always the case. I can remember a year when we were headed toward “Hoot Owl Restrictions” But, some cool rainy July conditions saved the year. So no telling how this will play out. But all in all things look promising.
Fishing report: After the rain we had last weekend everything bumped up. Pretty much toast everywhere. Even the West Fork was above 900cfs which make the bridge up by the dam a little sketchy to get under, and the holding water really diminishes. The fish really seem to get in more of a survival mode. The main river stays fairly clear, but the channels are really the best option. Clark Fork and Blackfoot? Chocolate Milk. But things are dropping hard.. And the next weeks temps are cool and things should continue to get better. The bugs are already out, just need the flows to stabilize. I don’t really feel like I need to mention the patterns. If your reading this you probably already know. The Big Bug, and then the Golden Stones. Mix in the Drakes and by the middle of the month you will have pretty much every hatch we get materialize.
This is the best time of the year as far as I’m concerned. Prime Time. Flows are up, weather is nice and all the options are on the table as far as where to fish.
There has been some really nice fish that have been caught already this season and the future is looking promising. Enjoy!