RUNOFF, FISH ON
Judging by historical data and the fact that the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers hit their highs for CFS (cubic feet per second) and then dropped off the next day, it looks like we hit peak runoff the first week of June.
This indicates that, moving forward, the rivers will be dropping and clearing up every day. Lower, cleaner water means we’ll be fishing these and countless other rivers in Montana in only a few weeks.
Once they clear up, they should remain that way for the rest of the summer, though a major rainstorm can turn the Gallatin and Yellowstone into chocolate milk for a day or so when their major feeder stream dump a bunch of mud into the rivers.
While we wait for rivers affected by runoff to start fishing, the waters that haven’t been discolored by snowmelt are in full swing. The Missouri, for instance, is in prime condition for our jet boat and drift boat trips. Though it is a little earlier than usual, Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) are hatching on the river and will be until July. If you’re looking to try some challenging dry fly fishing for big fish this is one of our favorite times of year to try our luck on the Mighty Mo.
The Lower Madison is also fishing really well with lots of bugs coming off. So far we’ve seen PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis and Green Drakes on the water and in the air, and our guests have taken fish on all these patterns. If you like to fish the big bugs, don’t forget that we’re only a couple weeks away from Salmonflies appearing on the Madison. If you know you know, but if you’ve never fished a Salmonfly hatch it is something every angler has to do once in their lifetime (and if you do it once you’ll be hooked forever!).
Other recent successful trips include outings on Hebgen Lake, DePuy’s Spring Creek and on the Firehole in Yellowstone National Park. In fact, before tourist season hits in full, this is a great time to fish in the park and we have lots of options to fit in with where you are staying and your other plans in Yellowstone. Just remember, whether you are fishing, hiking or just sightseeing, bears are out of hibernation so always carry bear spray in Yellowstone or the surrounding areas.
BOOK IT
Guides all over Montana have been taking reservations all fall, winter and spring in anticipation of Montana’s summer tourist season. Now, with the kids getting out of school and RV’s starting to roll into campsites, Southwest Montana is about to explode with outdoor enthusiasts looking for their own Big Sky adventure.
We too have been swamped with bookings with more coming everyday, which is why we’ve just welcomed five new guides to the TOTF roster. This means we have more open spots for anyone looking to get a last-minute spot or lock down a trip for later in the summer.
Reserving a guide for your upcoming free time in Montana is as easy as clicking over to our SHOP page. Pick your date on the calendar and fill out the information to request a guide. Just submitting your details doesn’t confirm your reservation. We’ll send you an email confirming we have a guide available and have you submit a payment to complete the booking.
BE IN THE KNOW: HOOT OWL CLOSURE
Later this summer, you’ll probably hear about Hoot Owl closures or restrictions on some of Montana’s rivers. What does this mean?
Well, it means you can’t fish a river at all or only during certain hours of the day (usually the hottest or when the river is at its warmest). For instance, a common closure time frame is from 2 p.m. until midnight. These restrictions are put in place to reduce stress on fish populations already under pressure from high water temperatures and low water levels.
These closures don’t happen on all rivers. More often than not they only occur on those waterways that have water diverted out of them by ranchers to use as irrigation for their properties.
For instance, the Gallatin River doesn’t get Hoot Owl restrictions on the part of the river that runs through Yellowstone or the Gallatin Canyon, but they are often applied to the section downstream from the Canyon and Four Corners where water diversions redirect water out of the river.
Another river where you’ll often encounter Hoot Owls is on the Lower Madison. Not only does the river provide irrigation to many ranches along its route, it also flows out of the Ennis Dam. Unlike fisherman’s favorite dams that release cold water from the bottom to create tailwater fisheries, this spillway dam allows water to flow over the top, meaning it is funneling warm water into the river.
In case you were wondering, rumor has it that these restrictions are called “Hoot Owls” due to old logging rules that prohibited cutting down trees during hot, dry times of day when there was high fire danger. In turn, loggers would work in the cooler, early morning hours when they would often hear owls hooting in the trees.
GUIDE PROFILE
BRYAN WILLIAMSON
Guide
HOMETOWN: Seattle, Washington
FISHING HERITAGE: When I was growing up, my grandparents lived in Alaska and spent the summers going around the state in a camper so they could fish. From when I was eight years old, I would spend a month with them fishing as much as I could. Back home, we’d fish for steelhead, for trout in the Yakima River or in the local lakes.
FIRST FISH ON THE FLY: When I was eight, I caught two sockeye salmon on a coho fly on the Russian River in Alaska.
CALLING MONTANA HOME: My wife and I have bounced around a bit, including stints in Florida for a couple of years and Dallas for four. We fell in love with the Bozeman area, and when Covid made it possible to live and work from just about anywhere, this is where we knew we wanted to be.
BECOMING A GUIDE: I worked in advertising client services for years and was really getting tired of it. These last couple years when I was fishing, I thought to myself, “This is really what I was meant to do and where I want to be.” So this year I decided to go for it.
FAVORITE RIVER: The South Fork of the Snake. I just love all the dry fly fishing down there. Sadly, I haven’t fished it in years but I am working on getting back as soon as possible.
FAVORITE FLY: The X-caddis. Right out of college, I met the owner of The Old Kirby Place, a fishing lodge on the Madison River in Montana. A few weeks later, I was working at the lodge doing just about any job they had. On my off time, I would fish the Madiso,n and I caught more fish on that fly than any other. It’s money.
FAVORITE MUSIC: Whatever I’m in the mood for really. I’ll listen to anything but death metal, but more often than not it’s some type of country. I’ll also put on some Grateful Dead once in a while and, either going to the river or coming home, I have to pop on the Jimmy Buffett channel.
PHOTO FISH: Of all the fish I’ve caught all over the world, the one that stands out is a big rooster I got down in Panama. It was on my bucket list and I have a great photo with it.
OFF DAY: I used to be a skier but now I focus on family activities with my wife and daughters. Stuff like hiking or hanging out at the lake. Of course, now that I am guiding, I’ll be getting in some personal fishing on my off days as well.
BOZEMAN BITE & BREW: My go-to spot is the Hop Lounge. I love the nachos–they’re second to none–and they have a great beer selection as well.
GUIDING ETHOS: I’m pretty laid-back, so I bring a casual personality to the outing while making sure everyone has a pleasant day and the best chance to get some fish in the boat. I’m also an adaptable guy, so if folks want to go hard and get rowdy, I’m up for that as well. Whatever makes the guest happy, I’m all for it.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more current and up-to-date information.