Finally after a pretty dry winter, we are getting more snow. Most of Montana was below 100% snow water equivalent, but that has changed and is forecasted to improve. A wet weather pattern is expected for early March. That is GREAT news for our rivers.Click the image for a larger view.
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| Westslope cutthroat trout from S. Fork Flathead River |
These photos were taken in the world-class Westslope cutthroat trout fishery
in the South Fork of the Flathead River, Montana, USA. The Westslope
cutthroat trout is one of two subspecies of native cutthroat found in
the state. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the population
of Westslope cutthroat trout in the South Fork is the strongest and
most vibrant in Montana, and perhaps in the entire West.
Put in was Big Priairie, take out wast Woodfir Creek just north of White River.
Billy Burk, our good friend in Colorado sent us these great photos recently. He said I could share them on the blog. All the photos are by Billy. Thanks Billy!
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| From Billy Burk 2011 Super Bowl |
Here is a photo of two Superbowl fish. My neighbor Cody and I went to the river Sun. morning and Had the whole river to ourselves; (it’s been a while, due to increased exposure in the media). After landing a double, he donated his (smaller) fish for a photo op. One monster took me out to the deep, faster current and came unbuttoned, Grrrrrr! There was a good Midge hatch coming off though, and we landed a bunch of stocker’s on size 22-26 Miracle Midge pattern. My Bride and I went to some friends’ for their “Bowl” party in the afternoon had a blast there too! What a great day!
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| From Billy Burk 2011 winter |
I took a photo of my buddy and neighbor Cody on our trip to the Taylor River Tailwater ( the Hog Trough) catch and release area. Big fish are always possible. Unfortunately they are very well educated and tight-lipped for the most part! We got snowed on most of the day but during a calm moment I saw this photo-op.
The last photo is a sunset.
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| From Billy Burk 2011 winter |
Written by Merle Loman for Bitterroot Trout Unlimited.
Join Missoula and the author for a reading and signing of Anders Halverson’s An Entirely Synthetic Fish. The event will be at Fact & Fiction, 220 N. Higgins Ave, Missoula, Montana on February 10th from 7 pm to 8:20 pm. For more information call the book store at (406) 721-2881. Click here for directions to Fact and Fiction downtown.
About the Book
By Anders Halverson
$26.00 – ISBN-13: 9780300140873
Availability: Special Order – Subject to Availability
Published: Yale University Press, 3/2010
Anders Halverson provides an in-depth account of the rainbow trout and why it has become the most commonly stocked and controversial freshwater fish in the United States. Rainbow trout have been proudly dubbed “an entirely synthetic fish” by fisheries managers. According to Halverson, his book examines the paradoxes and reveals a range of characters, from nineteenth-century boosters who believed rainbows could be the saviors of democracy to twenty-first-century biologists who now seek to eradicate them from waters around the globe. He discusses how the story of the rainbow trout is the story of our relationship with the natural world—how it has changed and how it startlingly has not.
Anders Halverson is an award winning journalist with a Ph.D. in aquatic ecology from Yale University. With support from the National Science Foundation, he wrote this book as a research associate at the University of Colorado’s Center of the American West.
A lifelong fisherman, he currently lives in Boulder, CO.
Other Montana events for this book are:
Book Signing at Country Bookshelf Bookstore, Bozeman, MT on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:00pm. Click here for more information about the Country Bookshelf Bookstore.
Book Discussion at Montana State Univ., Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, MT Monday, February 7, 2011 at 6:00pm. Click here for the website for Museum of the Rockies
Plenary Address at the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Great Falls, MT, Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:00am. Click here for AFS information http://www.fisheries.org/units/AFSmontana/
For fun, he posted this quiz on GoFishn.com. The winner received his book.
The Rainbow Trout Quiz: Question #1 – GoFISHn on GoFISHn
In 1996, IdahoDepartment of Fish and Game hatchery managers routinely taught their fish one thing before releasing them into the wild. What was it?
The answer: worms. Candy Craig got it right, and she’s the winner of a copy of the book. The reason the fisheries officials put the fish on a worm diet was to prepare them for the wild. They feared the fish would swim around looking for pellets when they were released, which is their normal fare in the hatchery.
Jack and I went steelhead fishing in Idaho last week on Thursday and Saturday. It seems to be true that you cast 1000 times before you get a fish.
We caught steelhead and trout, but only a few. Those few got us “hooked” as the fight they give you is definitely thrilling. Our steelhead were in the 24 to 30 inch range and they were all beautiful.
The scenery is spectacular. And, the Village at North Fork is a one stop, get it all place. They have gas, rooms, cafe, licenses, gear, supplies, and all important shuttles! Give them a call at 888.432.0240 or visit their website at www.thevillageatnorthfork.com.
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| Dennis with his steelhead on the Salmon River |
Jack, Scott and Dennis got an early start, drove about an hour and half and fished the Salmon River in Idaho for steelhead. See photos from their trip below.
You can bet they will be doing more steelhead fishing soon.
To read more about steelhead fishing on the Salmon River (license information included) see Fly fishing for steelhead on the Salmon River in Idaho by Merle Ann Loman.
Follow-up note: I just found out you can buy your license at Bob Wards in Hamilton. Nice!
