On the Rise

I've been spending quite a bit of time on the water these past few weeks and we saw the best fishing in the last few days. With plenty of the big bugs showing their faces, and their inability to dodge diving night hawks, the fish have been active. We managed to turn a handful on big foam patterns, but the fish really aren't keyed into the salmon flies yet.

While on the river yesterday the Big Hole rose almost 700 CFS and continued rising through the night. With temperatures holding in the mid 70's the snow will continue to melt and the rivers will once again rise this summer. Unfortunately there was a tragic accident yesterday on the river. A rafter turned over his raft and was never found, the other members of the raft made it safely to shore but the rower did not. The entire fishing community in and around Southwest Montana knew within hours and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims family. If you decide to float the rivers in the next week or two have an experienced rower in the seat, life jackets handy, and always keep your eyes down river.

Have fun and please, always be safe!