Winter snow in the mountains translates into spring, summer and fall waterflows in our rivers. So, we keep watch on the snow levels. We actually had a good snow accumulation in Dec 2015 and Jan 2016. It is still precipitating in February, but the temperatures are above average. Good news, still a good snow pack. Today I am posting some info on our current snowpack in Montana and a few photos from the mountains and Bitterroot River.
Click on any image to enlarge it.
Old Darby Bridge in Feb 2016, upper Bitterroot River
Totem Peaks to the south of Bear Creek Canyon in Bitterroot Mountain Range, MT IMG_0179
Below are Snowtel data maps for Montana in Feb. You can see that our snowpack has increased in the last two weeks. Great news.
“What distinguishes Jack from the many other guides I have had in the Bitterroot is that he doesn’t just help you catch fish — he does that in spades — but that he is also an articulate, keen-eyed and gifted teacher. I learned to fish on the Bitterroot, and Jack’s perceptiveness and patience quickly nailed my mistakes and taught me how to correct them – all the way from casting and mending, to setting the hook, to playing the fish and to landing and releasing it. As a teacher myself, I appreciate the importance of this skill. I also know what a rarity it is among most other guides working the river: they’re strong rowers and know where the fish are, but they can’t really articulate what you’re doing wrong or explain how to fix it, and that can be frustrating if you’re having an off day.
That said, Jack is not just a guide for beginners. I have friends in the Bitterroot who are as experienced as any and who fish all over the world, but they always insist on getting Jack when they’re here, if he’s available. No matter what your level, Jack will help you catch fish; but more importantly, he will help you to be a better fisherman and to enjoy the beauty of the sport, the spirit of the river and the spectacular setting that the Bitterroot affords. Jack just takes the experience to a whole other level.”
David A. from California
David was here for business but had time to fish 2 days with Jack. The last day was on the Clark Fork before he took off from Missoula International Airport for home in CA. Here are a few photos David sent us. Thank you!!
It is mid-winter here in the Bitterroot Valley and it is living up to the moniker the Banana Belt of Montana. It has been a very mild winter indeed with record warm temperatures approaching 60 degrees F. There was even a small armada of boats as many fishermen and floaters couldn’t resist the beautiful weather. Stream flows are exceptional and have been all fall and winter because of the frequent rain/snow events. Snow pack percentages are over 100% of average. It is a heavy dense snow-pack with many dangerous fracture layers. Avalanche potential has been high most of the winter thus far.
Seasonal fishing synopsis
Although it is early to make too many predictions, I will try starting with the early season. Spring fishing,
Skwala Stonefly
with hatches of the famous skwala stoneflies and later “March Brown” Rithrogena Mayflies, is a popular time for anglers. With the current conditions as good as they are, I expect the flows to be good all spring. But, don’t forget that spring is always a bit of a crap shoot as the river flows can drastically change with weather that is too warm and wet. There are always some anglers with riverboat gamblers’ mentality that love this time of year – mid-March through April and either hit it right or get blown off the water. Wapiti Waters has had certain groups of anglers for 20 consecutive years. Spring time in Montana is captivating and addicting!
Early Summer
The most productive and busiest time of year to fish is late June through mid-July. Insect hatches of Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Green Drakes and PMD Mayflies seem to really get trout to the surface.
March Brown Mayfly
After high water and run-off there is a time which I call “hero angling” when every fish in the river is “looking up.” Naturally fishing pressure is greatest during this time but one has to be willing to share the resources with one’s fellow anglers, enjoy the weather, diverse hatches and hopefully catch some hot trout. A good guide can work-around some extremely pressured water and coach their fishermen into great fishing. This is a time of year when there are usually big river flows that can handle the pressure. We can reasonably predict early summer of 2015 to be good angling.
Mid to Late Summer
The hatches of insects seem to change in size from big to small. Attractor type patterns and terrestrials seem to work the best. As water temperatures rise and river flows decrease the fishing certainly can take a nose-dive as trout get dormant or “lazy.” We always look for the coolest, shadiest water to float fish and that sometimes means traveling to the Blackfoot and Big Hole River as well as launching in the early mornings. Wapiti Waters has developed a useful arsenal of fly patterns that can interest the finicky, stubborn trout of the summer dog-days. Mid to late summer is the best time to river camp and Wapiti Waters camping trips seem to get more popular every year. It is a great way to enjoy an overnight fishing and river experience. This time of year is too hard to make any concrete predictions as it is too far away at the time of this writing.
Fall Fishing
Fall is a time when the waters cool and trout become active again. Surface feeding begins each morning on the trico mayfly. This active surface action seems to condition the trout to eat again. A typical fall day includes a morning trico feed and afternoon fishing with grasshopper and/or fall drake mayfly patterns. Once again, a good guide can coach his anglers into fishing these hatches effectively.
Wapiti Waters spends much of the fall on the lower Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers looking for trout on the rise and an occasional Northern Pike lurking in the slow water or root wads. Some days they can be enticed by large gaudy streamers. By late fall hardwoods, shrubs, cottonwood and aspen colors are brilliant and inspirational. A little snow in the high country and a bugling elk are signs and signals; enjoy the fishing now as winter will soon be upon us.
We will keep our fingers crossed that we will get more snow this winter and frequent rain during the summer. In the meantime, if you are thinking of booking a fishing and or river camping trip in western Montana, feel free to contact us for an honest appraisal of conditions.
Ladies on the Links annual golf tournament benefits the First Tee of Greater Seattle that serves more than 60,000 students through Life Skills programs offered in public school physical education classes through The First Tee’s National Schools Program. Wapiti Waters has donated trips to this cause since 2010.
Greg and Mindy Spencer were the successful bidders of the Wapiti Waters fly fishing trip donation for the 2013 fundraiser.Thank you Greg and Cindy for your support and coming to Montana to fish with Jack Mauer and Wapiti Waters. They fished with Jack on April 5, 2014.
In 2014 LOL will hold the 12th annual fundraising event.
Ladies on the Links Monday June 9, 2014 Broadmoor Golf Club 9 A.M. shotgun start
Join us for the 12th Annual Ladies on the Links Golf Tournament. Enjoy a 9-hole all-women’s scramble followed by lunch and silent & live auctions. You will receive lavish tee gifts on each hole as you support character education for girls through golf. For information on playing and sponsorship opportunities contact Heidi Wills at 206-265-3040 or Heidiwills@comcast.net.
Here are a few photos of Greg and Mindy and their email to us after the trip.
Hi Jack. We had a wonderful time today. We learned much and saw some beautiful sights! We hope to come again soon. Thank you for your donation. It went a long way to helping some young kids get exposed to a new sport and learn honor, respect and honesty along the the way. We look forward to seeing the pictures.
