Winter Report
January 5, 2010
We are officially starting the 2010 season as of January, 1 2010, and our expectations for this coming season are high. Outflows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir for this winter have been averaging around 200 cfs since they cut back flows in October. For the past few years, the outflows have been averaging around 30 cfs, leaving a lot of fish stranded without holding water thus losing their lives fighting to obtain feeding lanes and open water. With the increased flow the fish can separate and more water will be available to help more fish survive the winter months. This means we should have higher fish counts in both the numbers category, and in the size of fish we see. It’s hard to believe that the fish we were catching this past year will be even bigger this season! I can’t wait.
The Big Hole snow pack is a little better at this time that what it was last year, but we don’t have all that much snow to speak of. However, we got all our snow-pack for water flows in late March and early April last season. Spring snow is always welcomed as it brings heavy snow loaded with moisture and it packs in nicely. Same goes for the Jefferson, Madison, and Ruby Rivers as they all feed off of snow pack for the summer time flows.
We have not been out fishing lately but the warm days (30 degrees) have made us anxious to get out on the river. I hope by this time next week we can have a report of some January Fishing in Southwest Montana. Our time has been spent tying flies, filling orders for this year, booking trips, and getting ready for the Fly Fishing Show in Charlotte, NC on January 29, 30. We would love to see you there, so if you’re in the area come on in and stop by the booth. Justin will be giving a presentation on the Rivers in SW Montana on Friday at noon, and Saturday at 11:00 am. For more information visit: http://www.flyfishingshow.com/Charlotte__NC.html
We hope everyone had a great holiday season, and would love to see you on the River in 2010!
Justin
