THE POWER OF THE PACK
I’ve got a constant twinge in my lower back, which is a sure sign that there’s been a big uptick in snowfall in Southwest Montana over the last few weeks.
As you can imagine, skiers and all snowsport enthusiasts have been reveling in all the new powder, but did you know the amount of snow that falls in the winter and how it melts has a direct effect on local water resources and fishing come summer? Also, did you know that not all snow is equal when it comes to the winter snowpack?
Snow water equivalent (SWE) measures the amount of water in the snowpack, which means that wet, heavy snow we hate to shovel is actually a boon for our water resources when compared to all that cold smoke that’s great for skiing.
Currently, according to the USDA, the Gallatin River watershed contains 105% of the yearly average over the past 30 years. The Madison drainage has 89%, the Upper Missouri has 84%, and the Upper Yellowstone has 84%. These are good numbers for mid-January, should the weather remain cold and wet.
Along with filling reservoirs for cities and towns, snow is the key to keeping our rivers fishable. It provides clean water that produces a high-quality habitat, which is essential for species like trout to survive. Runoff water also provides a continual stream of cold water, which not only keeps fish healthy but also makes for fewer fishing restrictions due to unsafe, high water temps in July and August.
At the end of winter and the beginning of spring, we will start to see this snow melt. Historically, the pattern would begin with warmer days but with nights where temperatures still drop below freezing, especially at high altitudes. This makes for a controlled melt, as snow turns to water that runs into streams and rivers during the day, but the process stops during nighttime. This delayed runoff provides a steady yet controlled amount of water to our waterways.
But with the warmer temperatures we’ve been seeing in recent years, melting can come all at once. This produces too much water for rivers and streams to hold, causing floods like the one in 2022 that caused destruction all by the Gardner River in Yellowstone and along the Yellowstone River outside the park.
If you’re coming out West to fish this spring or summer, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather this time of year and in the coming months to track what the rivers and fishing might look like during your trip.
HOT FISHING IN COLD WATER
Our ice fishing trips are a hot ticket right now. With freezing temperatures being the norm since before New Year’s Day, all the local reservoirs, ponds, and lakes that we fish have safe ice conditions.
Recent trips booked by locals, vacationing families, and skiers taking a break from the slopes have been extremely productive, with high numbers of fish brought up through our holes in the ice and great times being had by beginners and experienced anglers alike.
We have all the gear you need to be successful and have fun. Check out the details https://montanatroutonthefly.com/trips/ice-fishing/ and book a trip today!
EXPERIENCE YELLOWSTONE LIKE NEVER BEFORE
We took a trip to Yellowstone National Park to fish the Madison River last week. If you remember, for the first time in as long as anyone can remember, the National Park Service is allowing fishing in certain parts of Yellowstone during the winter months.
During our trip, we didn’t see another person and landed dozens of the large fall run browns and rainbows that have made this stretch of river legendary during the fall. We also got a private show from a coyote meandering along the river banks.
If you’d like to experience the beauty and solitude of this winter wonderland, we’re still booking fly fishing trips on this section of Madison. Just make sure you’re physically fit for some post-holing through deep snow and dealing with a day of cold weather.
If you’d like a less strenuous option, we’re also guiding on the open section of the Gardner River at the north end of the park. Whichever river you pick, this will be a day of fishing unlike any you’ve ever experienced.
Also, weather and ice flows permitting, we’re also guiding on all our local rivers. Whether you’re looking for a day to immerse yourself in the splendor of winter or want to get that trout to tick off January on your “fish-a-month” calendar, we’re here to help.
GUIDE PROFILE
JARRETT VOILES
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colorado
First fish on a fly: A rainbow trout on an Adams fishing with my dad on the Poudre River.
Best part of guiding: Being out in the wild, seeing the excitement when someone learns the sport, and learning about all the new people I meet.
Favorite river: That’s a tough one, but I’ll say the Madison. It’s such a consistent river, and it’s fun to fish. Plus, I’ve fished it with my dad and my sister, so it’s special for sentimental reasons.
Favorite fly: What’s the saying, “Whatever is biting.” But I’ll go with the Woolly Bugger. It’s a classic, and I’m a streamer junkie. Plus, it’s so versatile, you can strip in, swing it, nymph it – and it works!
Favorite music: Bluegrass. When I’m heading to the river, I’ll put on some Billy Strings or Old Crow Medicine Show. And I’ve always got Johnny Cash in the rotation.
Favorite book: The Journals of Lewis and Clark. I love reading about this area and its history.
Cause I Support: I’m on the board of directors of Reeling in Serenity. The organization aims to connect people struggling with substance abuse to fly fishing and show them the healing power of the sport.
Brook Fly Fishing: I started the company nine years ago after seeing a silicone material in a dentist’s office. We make fly boxes and fly patches that securely hold flies and don’t tear like foam products. Plus, they’re made in the USA.
Guiding ethos: Fishing is supposed to be fun. Enjoy the experience and company. Yeah, catching fish is important, but fly fishing is a metaphor for life. Enjoy yourself, work hard, and the rest will take care of itself.
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