A few years ago, I was guiding on the Flathead River. I stepped out of the boat to ramble around the river bank while my anglers methodically fished a riffle that was holding rising trout. Not too far inside the riparian zone, I came across a marker that was a reminder of how […]
WHAT A YEAR. If I had to give 2020 a theme song, I would choose “Help” from the Beatles. It has been a shit show of year but I don’t have to tell you that, you lived it too. From Covid to Wildfires there seemed little to be stoked about. […]
Times are good in the Flathead Valley! The water is dropping quick and the trout are looking up. Big water: The entire Flathead system from the forks of the Flathead River to Flathead Lake is fishing pretty dang good these days. Flows are well below 10,000 CFS on the main-stem […]
Holy smokes it has been an interesting water week in the Flathead Valley. Water flows in the big river were on the drop but Mother Nature decided it wasn’t going to stay that way. She’s the boss… Big water: The big river (Flathead River) can’t make up it’s mind on […]
This winter’s snow is still coursing through the veins of the Flathead River system but the surging water is starting to subside, trout are looking to feed, and we are stoked to be back on the big water. Big water: The big river is still, well,… big. At just under […]
With any luck, Americans could have a BIG win for our public lands and the national agencies that manage them. The Great American Outdoors (GAO) Act will be making its way through the Senate this week. If passed, the GAO Act would permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund […]
Things are happening in the Flathead Valley. The West side of Glacier National Park is open, tourist are funneling in, and our local fisheries are a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the Montana summer! Big water: There were rumors of the big river possibly starting to fish but […]
Its been a hot one out there this week. We are loosing our snow pack quick but with this warm weather bugs are hatching, cutthroat are spawning, and people are getting out and enjoying our public waterways. What a great time to be in Montana. Big water: The color of […]
Reduced AIS license fees and vessel permit requirements are just some of the new regulations for out of state boaters coming to Montana in 2020. If you or someone you know are coming to Montana and are planning on bringing a water bound vessel, make sure you know the regulations. […]
Did I hear you say the “Big Bugs” were out? – the crazy eyed fisherman knocking on my car window. Big water: She is big! Flowing at 31,500 CFS, it’s going to be a little while until this beloved river is going to be fishable. If you do get out […]
I have a hard time getting rid things that are dear to me. Does that make me a hoarder? Possibly, or maybe it’s that I have a passion for refurbishing equipment. With the guiding season off to a slow start due to COVID-19, I decided to take on a project […]
Big water: The big water is running around 21,300 CFS. Thats pretty big but it appears to be on the drop and hopefully we will get another short window to fish the big river before it decides to really blow out. If you do get out to fish, look for […]
Everyone likes a hardy snowpack. One of the most important indicators as to how our summer fishing season will play out is our springtime snow pack. Ultimately our aquifers, lakes, and rivers are recharged annually by the amount of snow we received throughout winter and spring. Fortunately for us, we […]
Spring appears to have sprung in the Flathead Valley and the fishing has been similar to the weather, HOT. Big water: The big river and it’s tributaries have seen quite the turnaround this week. Water temps have risen into the mid 40’s with our warm and sunny days and it […]