High Water & Big Decisions

Life is measured by making right or wrong decisions in crucial times. One right decision can lead to a positive turning point in life and vice versa. For me, June has been a month of making some very hard calls. The Bitterroot River has been flowing at unprecedented levels all month. It was past flood stage two weeks ago and has now resurged to flood stage this week. Those of us who spend hundreds of days on this river each year have been predicting a big runoff, but no one thought it would be this prolonged. Even years with higher than normal snow pack, we are usually fishing by now.  It is not just Montana that is shattering records for river flows.  It seems every river in the country is swollen beyond its banks with no end in sight.

Woodside Bridge Parking lot @ flood stage June 2011

I started taking reservations for fishing trips in January. Like most years, they were primarily for the famed salmonfly hatch. I am always very leery of booking reservations anytime before the second week of June. Typically, even on big snow pack years, the third week of June is prime time. Not this year. I, and every other responsible outfitter, have cancelled all the days in June and may have to cancel trips into the first week in July because of high and dangerous river conditions. Many outfitters, including myself, have taken a huge economic hit in the last few weeks, but the cost could be much higher. When the Bitterroot River and the Westfork are flowing this high, not only is there no soft water to fish, but they become a playground for the grim reaper. Any guide/outfitter's NUMBER ONE responsibility is the safety of the client. When I am on the oars on a river I have two other lives in my hands. Getting my clients on fish comes second.  I know an outfitter, who is reckless enough to be taking clients out in the last several weeks. He has placed the value of a few hundred dollars over his client’s life. When the Bitterroot River flows first peaked at flood stage a few weeks ago he had four boats "guiding" (more like surviving) on the water. After being told he had to guide for the day, one of the outfitter's main guides refused to do the trip due to safety concerns.  He was immediately fired.  At least the guide had the balls to make the right judgment call. Once again this week when the flows peaked at flood stage he had clients on the Westfork. That isn't just reckless, it's plain stupid! Call me old fashioned, but I value lives over a few hundred bucks.

Veteran's Bridge (the bridge formally known as Silver Bridge)
@ flood stage June 2011

A few days ago one of my top guides, a good friend who fishes with me a lot, and I test floated the Westfork. At that time the flows were 1,600 C.F.S (Cubic Feet per Second) @ Painted Rocks Dam and approximately 4,000 C.F.S after Nez Perce Creek. All of us are VERY experienced oarsman and spend at least 200-250 days a year on the river. However, we had never been on the Westfork when the flows were that high. To say upper end of the Westfork (above Nez Perce Creek) was challenging is like saying surfing triple overhead waves is a challenge. This part of the Westfork is littered with snags, sweepers and strainers. Any false move here and you are dead for sure. Once we got below Nez Perce Creek the flows jumped to 4,000 C.F.S. or more-then the water gets squeezed into the canyon. Where there were once rocks exposed a few feet, on normal high flows, there were now standing 6 foot waves! We were quickly in survival mode. Ever corner the person on the oars had to set up for at least 300 yards in advance. If your hands slipped off the oar, the oar hit a rock and popped out of the oarlock or the boat hit something underwater that was unseen.......game over!   After the day was over, all three of us agreed that we were scared in the canyon. Not deer in the headlights, panic mode scared, but the feeling you get in your stomach knowing that one tiny mistake would be our last. If someone accidentally fell into the water there would be nothing that could be done. I don't care if you have a life jacket on and could swim like Michael Phelps; death would be inevitable. There would no rescue only body recovery.

The view looking north from Victor Crossing Bridge @ flood
stage June 2011

So here we sit with the water continuing to rage with no end in sight for the near future. I don't like sounding like a Debbie Downer but the threat of a fatality on the Bitterroot River in the upcoming weeks is a grim reality. There has already been a fatality on the Yellowstone River, the Lochsa River in Idaho and just two days ago one on the Big Hole River. July 4th weekend is right around the corner and I'm hoping for snow. At least it will keep everyone off the river. When alcohol, high water and people being on the river that shouldn't be are mixed, it becomes a death cocktail. Please use good judgment out there. The river and fish will still be there in a couple of weeks when it is safe.  DON'T BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC!!!!!

Tweeting like a twit

Well I finally joined the modern age and set up a twitter account.  If you wish to follow it is under ospreyoutfitter http://twitter.com/#!/search/ospreyoutfitter  I am guiding the rest of the week.  I am also in the process of composing a new post on the current proposal by Montana FWP to increase the kill limit on brown trout.  This is outrageous!  If, like me, you see this as a war on brown trout please write them a letter voicing your opinion.  Look for more to follow.

Lost Rods!!!

A good friend of mine lost his two rods on Thursday March 17th while guiding. He was floating Wally Crawford to Angler's Roost and thinks they may have accidentally got kicked out of his boat near the Rennaker Diversion Dam. They are two Temple Fork Outfitters Signature Series 9 foot 5 weight rods with an Okuma & Ross Reels. They are in a two piece case that is tan and has a River Otter Fly Shop logo. If you happen to find them, Emmett would be very grateful if you called him at 406.370.5712 or you can call the shop at 406.363.1000. Thanks for your help on this one.

I am headed out for a couple of days of fishing this week and will report. We have been starting to see some fish willing to eat a dry skwala. It is just starting. It is about two weeks later than usual this year. It will only get better and better everyday.

HB 309

A hearing is set tomorrow in Helena for HB 309. This bill will potentially change the Montana Stream Access Law and prohibit access to hundreds of miles of water. The time is now to act. If you can't make the hearing, which is taking place at 3:00 p.m. in the Old Supreme Court Chambers (Room 303), in the Capitol Building in Helena, please write a letter any and all Montana Senators (State not Fed). Now is the time to act. Here is a link to find the email addresses http://leg.mt.gov/css/find%20a%20legislator.asp Democracy doesn't begin and end on the first Tuesday of November.

The following is the letter I have sent to many Senators and House Representatives several times:


Dear Senators,

I am writing you this letter in regards to HB 309. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the hearing regarding this bill on March 8th. However, I would like to go on record as being adamantly opposed to this bill. I am a fly shop owner and fishing outfitter in Hamilton . I believe that this bill is not only bad for my business, but for the Montana economy as a whole. Anglers contribute millions of dollars to the Montana economy each year. Most anglers enjoy fishing in Montana due to the stream access laws. If this bill were to pass, it would block access to hundreds of miles of river that was once accessible. The loss of revenue to local economies would be catastrophic. In times like these, we can't afford any more negative economic impacts.

The current Montana Stream Access law is very specific when dealing with ditches. It is very clear that ditches are not part of this law. So why the sudden move to adopt an amendment? Several years ago some wealthy, out of state land owners were ruled against blocking access to Mitchell Slough. Since then, they have made several attempts to appeal but all have failed. Now, it seems they are behind legislation to block access to the slough. However, if this bill passes, it will have huge ramifications throughout the entire state. HB 309 will surely benefit the owners along Mitchell Slough but the costs will be felt by all resident and non-resident anglers. The way this bill is written entire river systems, such as the Bitterroot, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Big Horn to name just a few, could be deemed ditches. Furthermore, many side channels and sloughs would now be off limits. A very bad precedent would be set and there would be no going back.

The Montana Stream Access law is a great piece of legislation that benefits the not only the economy but resident and non-resident anglers. HB 309 is not only reckless; it is an attack on our way of life. If HB 309 is passed, it will start an erosion process that will completely undermine the Stream Access Law. The Montana Stream Access Law already specifically states that no public access is allowed, without permission, on any type of man made "ditch". I strongly object to the following points in HB 309:

1) A live, flowing braid or channel can be defined as a ditch if there is any kind of control structure at the head of the live channel, including 'natural features incorporated into the water conveyance system'

2) Recreational access is available only with landowner's permission on water bodies created at least in part by waters diverted from a natural water body where the diverted water is the principal source of water in the water body - think about low flows in August and September and the many Montana rivers and streams with side channels and braids that have diversion structures on them where return flow could be considered the 'principle source of water' in the river or stream.

I ask you all to carefully consider the costs to this bill. I also urge you to listen to all the citizens and non-residents that have written letters in opposition to this careless piece of legislation.


Good Fishn',

Sean O'Brien
Osprey Outfitters Fly Shop & Guide Service
406.363.1000-Shop
406.381.1004-Cell
www.ospreyoutfittersflyshop.com

A Change in Montana Stream Access?

Well "they" are at it again!  HB 309 attempts to further define a ditch.  The bill has made its way out of committee and has passed the second reading on the Montana House of Representatives floor.  The Montana Stream Access Law is very specific in banning any use of a ditch for public access.  This bill could prohibit access to waters that are now classified as public.  There is no need for this bill and it would only send us down that proverbial slippery slope.  I encourage everyone to write your Montana State Representatives.   Even if you are not a resident, I encourage you to write to the Speaker of the House.  This bill will affect residents and non-residents alike.  The following is a link to the Montana House of Representatives http://www.leg.mt.gov/css/house/.  It is time to let your voices be heard on this issue! The following two links are an article regarding this issue http://www.krtv.com/news/bill-defining-ditches-called-assault-on-montana-s-stream-access-/ and the bill itself http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billhtml/HB0309.htm.

Wading Safe

I usually don't wade fish much, I prefer fishing from a boat.  However,  winter conditions usually dictate that any fishing done during these months, is for a few hours of wading.  February 4th was one such day.  We had just come out of several days with lows in the single digits, so there was some new ice formed along the banks.  My friend Donn and I decided to hit a stretch of water that has become our winter fishing grounds  It was a beautiful day; cloudy and temps in the fifties.  We had gotten a late start, so we only journeyed about 3/4 of a mile from the truck to a prime spot.  This is a classic riffle/run that stretches at least 200 yards.  It is a perfect winter run, that is loaded with fish from top to bottom.

The fish I almost paid the ultimate price for

I agreed to start fishing the top of the run, here the riffle plunges into a series of nice deep buckets.  Immediately I picked up a nice 17 inch rainbow.  A few casts later I laced into the biggest fish I have seen all winter.  Fortunately, the fish did not exert its muscle. If it had, I would have been running down the river in pursuit.  This fish was so fat that I was struggling to get it in my hand. I don't carry a net when I wade, but I wish I had one then!  After about the fourth attempt, I finally had the 20 inch, 3 1/2 pound fish in my grasp.  I took a few photos with my phone (both Donn & I forgot our cameras so catching big fish was inevitable) and then released the big hen back to the river.  After hearing my whoop and holler, Donn, who was about 100 yards downstream, asked if I had any streamers. Apparently, he had just lost two large browns due to a "dull hook".  I walked down gave him a streamer and showed him the photo of the large rainbow I just landed.  After sharing some laughs and acknowledgment of how fortunate we are to live in such a great place, I was back up fishing the upper inside of the run.

As I stated earlier, the days prior had been relatively cold and ice had formed along the bank.  On this particular run, the ice was several inches thick in the middle of the floe and stretched about 25 feet from the bank.  It was not stable enough to walk on, which I don't like to do anyway.  Ice scares the shit out of me!  The only way we could fish the run was to wade along the outside edge.

I wish I had my real camera for a better photo

 Donn had already been though the run and reassured me it was doable.  As I began skirting the ice, I knew it was gonna be iffy.  I have a rule that I NEVER wade much past my waist when I have on waders.  Once you get much beyond your waist, the margin of error becomes extremely small.  If something goes wrong and your waders fill with water, it is game over!  Donn has come up with an ingenious idea in dealing with this very issue but I am getting ahead of myself.  So there I was, skirting the ice as icy water was licking the tops of my waders.  I was at the point of no return but, in just a few more steps, I could tell the water would begin to shallow up.  It was then that I felt a slow push from behind, the kind you would feel from a surge by a large crowd of people.  I started to feel the 35 degree water entering my waders, which was like thousands of tiny cold needles piercing my skin.  I tried pushing back, but realized that the ENTIRE ice shelf had separated from the bank.  It was moving with slow, deliberate purpose toward the middle of the river; carrying everything in it's path, including me.

This was no small piece of ice that I could simply dodge.  The floe easily measured 150 feet long, 25 feet wide and was about four inches thick in the middle.  I have no idea how much it weighed, but I would guess several tons, at a minimum!  The outside edge, where I was, was very brittle.  As I was being pushed toward deeper water, not only was water was entering my waders but I couldn't gain any purchase on the ice.  Every time I tried to get on top of it, I would just break though.  Things were becoming VERY critical VERY fast.  Donn, seeing my dire straights, started coming out toward me.  I kept trying to push back against the massive floe because if it ran me over, Donn would be pouring whiskey over my grave in true Irish fashion.  Fortunately, when Donn got further out onto the floe, it caused it to crack.  The floe started separating between us and creating an escape route. I was initially hesitant to enter the gap.  I had visions of being between both floes, only to be squeezed out and forced under.  However, water was now pouring in my waders and they were getting extremely heavy.  If I took on much more water it wouldn't have mattered if I was pushed under the floe, I was headed to the bottom anyway!  I shot into the gap and Donn was able to help me scramble onto the thicker section of ice.  Donn grabbed my rod, which I threw on the floe when things started going awry, and we got the hell outta there.

Many things could have gone the other way that day but didn't.   However, I should not have been in the situation in the first place.  I broke my one main rule of wade fishing with waders; I went well above my waistline.  I don't care how strong you are or how good of shape you are in, once you get much beyond your waistline, you are setting yourself up for disaster.  I got lucky the other day, but will credit myself for a few things.  First of all, I didn't panic.  If you panic in heavy situations, it will be your last!  Secondly, when things started going bad, I didn't hesitate to ditch my rod.  I was using a R.L. Winston with a Ross Vexsis Reel; a thousand dollar setup.  So many accounts of people drowning in the river include, "The last time we saw him, he was headed down river with his rod in his hand."  Is your favorite rod and reel really worth your life?!  Things can ALWAYS be replaced, life can't!  Lastly, and most important, if Donn were not there I would not be writing this.  It is always good common sense (it should be called "uncommon sense" because common sense is not so common) to practice the buddy system.  When things go bad, it is good to have someone come to your aid.

I mentioned earlier that Donn has come up with an ingenious idea to help in situations such as these.  It is no secret that waders are extremely dangerous.  Every year, anglers are pulled to their death due to their waders filling with water.  Wading belts only offer a false sense of security as it will not stop the waders from filling.  However, after Donn had his own life threatening situation, (see his story http://wadesafe.blogspot.com), he began to develop WADESAFE Wader Technology.  He has created a patent pending design to completely evacuate the water from the waders.  I have helped with the field tests of these waders and can attest to their effectiveness.  The day will soon come when every pair of waders will incorporate Donn's technology.  The following is the link for WADESAFE's website http://wadesafe.com. When I got back on the bank after my ordeal, I told Donn that I sure wished I had a pair of WADESAFE waders! In the mean time, be careful out there and wade safely.

A Follow Up on Bank Stabilization Work Downstream of Tucker Crossing

For those of you who follow my blog, you know that I wrote a series of somewhat contentious posts last spring concerning bank stabilization work that was done downstream from Tucker Crossing.  This series of blogs elicited everything from praises to threats against me and my business.  My biggest concern regarding this project was not just the timing, but also the siltation it created, the loss of aquatic life and the lasting effect of the work itself.  

I believe that the biggest threat to the Bitterroot watershed is rip-rapping the stream side banks for stabilization.  Not only does this channelize the river, it creates erosion downstream (See previous posts).   However, when Wildland Hydrology took on the project below Tucker Crossing, they had a completely different approach to bank stabilization.  Instead of placing large rocks along the bank, they proposed a more natural bank by driving logs (toe wood) deep into the bank, folding large areas of sand and soil over the top of the logs and planting willow and alder in the sod mats.  This is a very simplified explanation of their  complex project.  To my knowledge, this project was the first of it's kind on the Bitterroot River and everyone in the fishing community was eager to see the results.

Recently, I have attended some Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) meetings.  The BCD is the agency responsible for issuing 310 permits. The BCD is comprised of local citizens, most of whom have been born and raised in the Bitterroot and from varied backgrounds.  Chris Clancy, Fisheries Biologist for Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, is not on the board but acts as an advisor to the board.  Also, Jack Mauer, a longtime fly fishing outfitter in the Bitterroot, attends almost every meeting and provides input to the board concerning anglers and outfitters.  In order to do ANY type of work in the floodplain a 310 permit must be issued first.  When I say floodplain, I mean all the area on the streambed that is below the high water line.  Typically, that mark is defined as where terrestrial vegetation begins.  310 permits are not required for any work above the high water line.  This requires a county floodplain permit, which is issued by Ravalli County.  The first meeting I attended was akin to walking into the lions den.  In previous posts, I have had some choice words regarding Mr. Clancy and the BCD.  However, I have been treated with respect by not only Mr. Clancy, but all the members of the BCD.  I plan to attend as many meetings as possible because they are very informative with regards to any projects occurring or set to occur on the Bitterroot River.

It was at the latest meeting (January 25, 2011) that the Annual Maintenance Report was released on the bank stabilization work done downstream of Tucker Crossing.  Wildland Hydrology is contracted to maintain their work for five years after the date of completion.  If any of their work is damaged by the natural process of the river, they are required to fix the damage.  The spring of 2010 was a large runoff event and was a great first test for their work.  According to Wildland Hydrology's report, the total loss of "toe wood" for the entire project was 3%.  The entire project is comprised of three separate sites; Site #1 The Bucholz Project consisted of 1500 lineal feet of work; Site #2 The Hanson Project consisted of 1,700 lineal feet; Site #3 The Double Fork consisted of 250 lineal feet.  The Hanson project lost 80 feet of toe wood after runoff (the largest amount of the three) and the Double Fork lost just 30 feet.  There was no loss of toe wood on the Bucholz project.  Wildland Hydrology credited the zero loss on the Bucholz project to the fact that the homeowner used sprinklers in the summer months; thereby increasing the growth rate of the willow and alder.  Furthermore, the photo evidence seems to suggest that the toe wood structure, on all the projects, created lower velocity of flows of the river near the banks.  Instead of the river slamming into the bank, a seam was created a few feet off the bank.  According to the report, this aided in the deposition of sand and sediment behind the toe wood structures.  The photos further indicated that after the flood water receded, there were cottonwood seedlings sprouting behind the structures.  In all the projects, there was no further terrace bank erosion; also credited to the toe wood structures.

Wildland Hydrology has painted a rather positive picture of their own project and it seems to have been successful, after the first year.  However, my concern is how well it will stand the test of time.  The true test will come in the next 3-6 years and if we continue to have large runoff events.  This years snow pack is currently well over 100% and we are slated for a large runoff.  It will be interesting to see how this project performs.   I hope that  it will be successful.   If so, it should only encourage other landowners to do this type of bank stabilization instead of traditional and harmful rip-rap. 

Proposed Felt Ban in Montana

I have been informed that there is legislation afoot (no pun intended!) to ban felt soled wading boots by our "esteemed" Senator Ron Erickson, a Democrat from Missoula  (see the link below).  Rubber soled boots are not the cure-all to invasive species.  I believe rubber soles will only aid in spreading invasives because anglers will be lulled into a false sense of security.  Furthermore, rubber soled wading boots pose a serious safety concern.  You can view my opinion on rubber soled wading boots in a previous blog entitled "To Felt of Not to Felt".

I encourage everyone to write a opposition letter to the Montana Senate.  If you are a Montana resident please send/email a letter to your senator.  If not, please send/email a letter to the following below. I have sent an email to my senator, Sen. Bob Lake, R-Hamilton, as well as all the senators listed below. It is my job to inform you.  Now do your job to be proactive!

President of the Senate: Jim Peterson (R-Buffalo) jimpetersonranch@gmail.com


President Pro Tempore: Bruce Tutvedt (R-Kalispell) tutvedt@montanasky.us


Majority Leader: Jeff Essman (R-Billings) jessmann@mt.gov


Majority Whips: Taylor Brown (R-Huntley) taylor@northernbroadcasting.com 
                           Chas Vincent (R-Libby) cvvincent@hotmail.com


Minority Leader: Carol Williams (D-Missoula) cwilliams@montanadsl.net


Minority Whip: Kim Gillian (D-Billings) glonky@aol.com

Link to the proposed bill:  http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/lchtml/LC1760.htm  

How to Hold a Fish

I see it happen all the time.  A client presents the fly right, sets the hook and lands a trophy fish to perfection.  Then, when they want to memorialize the moment, they botch the hold of the fish and get a lousy photo. It may seem a trivial subject, but doesn't everyone want a great photo of the trophy they spent countless hours trying to catch?  Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to hold a fish to get that image.  There are other important factors, such as the fish's health and safety to consider as well.



A 22" Brown held the wrong way

The most common mistake people make holding a fish for a photo is they get their hands in the way.  When they lift the fish up, their hands are covering it and facing the camera.  To capture a good fish image, you want as little of your hands exposed as possible.  This is achieved by a few simple steps.  After the fish is in the net and the hook is removed, let it rest for awhile and get its' breath.  Then, gently turn the fish completely upside down.  This will put the fish into a semi-catatonic state and it will be less likely to go wild when you pick it up.  Now, slide your hands along its side closest to you and put your fingers under its belly and pick the fish up.  Now, the less you squeeze it, the less likely it is to go crazy and the less likely you are to harm it (more on that later).  To get a good photo, you will want to bring the fish up to your chest.  Try not to be tempted to hold the fish as far as you can from your body.  This is an old trick to make the fish look bigger than it really is.  If you are taking a photo of a trophy fish, the photo (as long as it is taken properly) will do the fish justice without any trickery.  I usually try to keep my arms bent and the fish as close to my body as possible.  Also, make sure a net is under the fish while you are taking the photo.  If the fish does flop, it will fall safely back in the net.  This, not only saves the fish from getting away in an untimely fashion, but also prevents it from landing on the ground, rocks or the bottom of the boat.



The same fish held the right way



Now that we have got the logistics of a good photo out of the way, there are some safety concerns that should be addressed before you handle of a fish.  Fish have a slime coating on their skin that protects them from parasites and diseases.  Most guides use rubber nets instead of the old mesh ones.  This is due to the fact that the rubber nets are much less likely to remove the slime coating.  Also, if you are planning on handling a fish you MUST first get your hands wet.  If you handle a fish with dry hands, you will remove some of this slime coating.  The more slime coating the fish loses, the more likely it will contract a skin borne disease or parasite.  Once you have the fish calmed down (in a catatonic state), lightly cradle the fish in your hands and avoid putting a death squeeze on the fish.  Fish live in a very low gravity environment and their body structure cannot handle a lot of outside pressure.  Gently lift the fish up, snap a photo and place it back into the net and water.  I tell my clients that the fish can be out of the water as long as you can hold your breath.  Once you can no longer hold your breath, the fish goes back in the water to catch its breath.  Larger fish are more susceptible to oxygen deprivation, so it is best not to keep them out of the water for long periods.  Once you have your photo, place the fish back in the net and let them recover before releasing.  A fish uses the dissolved oxygen in the water to release the lactic acid out of its muscles that is built up from the fight.  If the water temps are in the upper 60's, it is probably best you do not take the fish out of the water or handle it.  As the water temperature goes up the amount of dissolved oxygen goes down.  During these times, handling and removing the fish from the water could be too much for the fish to recover, especially for the larger fish.  When reviving a fish, simply face the fish upstream so the water flows through its gills.  When it is ready, it will swim off.  DO NOT rock the fish back and forth.  This will force water through the back of its gills and can potentially suffocate the fish.  Everyone, including me, wants a great photo of that one that didn't get away.  If you follow these easy steps you should have that shot and the fish will live to fight another day.   

To Felt or Not to Felt

There is currently a strong movement across the entire country to ban felt soled wading boots.  I would like to pose the questions at what cost and for what real results?  Invasive species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil, hyrdrilla, New Zealand mud snail, zebra mussels, didymo, whirling disease, etc., are all real threats to a lot of North American fisheries.  Recently, the move to rubber soled wading boots has been touted as the savior for the spread of invasive species.  There is one company, Redington, that boldly, and falsely, claims in their catalogue that their rubber soles are "the cure" for spreading invasive species. I believe there are some fundamental flaws in the argument to completely ban felt.

The most glaring and obvious misconception, is that people will be now lulled into a false sense of security that the new "Eco Rubber" will completely stop the spread of invasive species.  These invaders do not just get transferred on the soles of angler's boots.  They also hitchhike on their shoe laces, gravel guard cuffs, the waders themselves, nets, boats and bilge water.  Regardless if your boot soles are made of felt or rubber, the disinfection process is the same.  You must either freeze them solid, or scrub them with a 20% bleach solution and then let them COMPLETELY dry out.  This must also be done for any other item that has been in a river before going to another.  So, if you must disinfect rubber the same as you would felt, why the sudden rush to ban felt?  Most Americans want to do the right thing but are too lazy to take the steps needed to actually do it.  We are quick to pull the trigger on an emotional hot button and want to find a fast fix.  However, most of the time the quick fix ends up being more harm that good.

Furthermore, I believe that the new rubber soled boots pose a serious risk to the angler.  It is no mystery that the new rubber does not grip half as well as felt.  Some companies are touting their rubber as being as sure footed as felt.  I call bullshit!  There is no rubber technology, that I have seen, that can grip even close to felt.  It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed because their new rubber soled boots didn't grip a crucial rock.  All the wading boot companies know of this problem and will tell you that to put studs in the sole.  Since when have steel and rock meshed well together?  Maybe if you were headed to do some ice fishing or ice climbing, studs would be ideal.  However, people who fly fish are wading across slippery, algae coated rocks.    Every client I quizzed this season about their new rubber soles (both with and without studs), ALL said the variations of the same thing; "They are horrible!" or "I have almost busted my ass several times!" or "Where can I get felt soled boots?".  Unfortunately, most all wader companies are drinking the rubber sole Kool-Aid and phasing out or drastically reducing their felt products-Simms sells zero felt soles, Patagonia currently stills sells one model, Dan Bailey's no longer offers their top of the line Yellowstone Guide boot in felt only their Adventurer model and Korkers offers a felt sole insert on their boots, wading sandals and shoes that must be purchased separately.  Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time until felt goes the way of the dinosaur.

So what is the answer to the spread of invasive species?  WASH YOUR EQUIPMENT AND LET  COMPLETELY DRY!  Like I mentioned above, you can also completely freeze your gear solid.  I actually did this for two clients who fished with me this summer.  I took their stuff to my chest freezer and the next day they had a frozen block of fishing gear free of didymo and whirling disease.  If we are going to stop or curtail the spread of invasive species, it is not going to be because we wear rubber soled boots.  It is going to take EVERY angler to be vigilant on cleaning their gear.  Unfortunately, we all know that not everyone will be vigilant.  By the way, are you going to wash every duck's ass and feet when it leaves here and heads south?

Three September Stories

Well, where to begin.............I guess the best place is the time I had the privilege to guide a good lad from the Old Country, Kevin.  Kevin was visiting from Georgia and part of a very large group of clients that fish with me at least twice a year.  These guys are all beer and alcohol distributors in Atlanta; you can just imagine the debauchery that goes on while they are here!  I had the pleasure of guiding Kevin on the second day of the trip.  I mention this only because the night before we both drank like the true Irishmen we are.  It is not often that I get to tip a few, and a few more, back with someone from the Old Country so I took full advantage of the situation.  Needless to say, when I picked up the boys up in the morning, there were a few cobwebs in all our heads.  Anyway, Kevin is brand new to fly fishing and he was having the common problem of using his wrist to cast.  When a person tries to use their wrist to cast, they end up bringing the rod way too far back on the back cast and they cannot shoot the line.  It got so bad, that I had to shackle Kevin to the fly rod by using a bandanna.  Now I hate to shackle any Irishmen, but doing it to one that is directly from the Old Country seemed like a mortal sin.  However, it was the only way to get him casting correctly and it worked great.  About 3/4 of the way through the float, I decided to take a very small side channel that I knew had some good fish.  I let Kevin out of the boat and told him to fish a line where two currents converged.  Before you know it, the silence of the wilderness was broken by "Oh shit, oh shit!"  I looked over and saw Kevin's rod completely doubled over by a solid fish.  I told Kevin that we had to cross the small channel to land the fish. There was simply no way we were going to land it in our current position.  During the battle,  Kevin's heart beating so hard, I swear I could see it coming out of his chest! We gingerly waded across and after a few tense moments we had a beautiful 18.5 inch rainbow in the net.  This is the way we cure hangovers in Montana.  After the adrenaline subsided, I believe there was a small flask of fine scotch passed around afterwards.  ERIN GO BRAH!  Here is the link of Kevin releasing his fish  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwZTLYEN92o

Speaking of that particular side channel, I had another great day in it with MJ. Now, MJ was part of a large group that came to Montana via Yellow Breeches Outfitters in Boiling Springs, PA. Yellow Breeches Outfitters had organized a trip for some of their clients. The first week, they had about 7 people and the following week about 10 people staying in a house on the river. When they first arrived, I went to the house and gave a presentation on the Bitterroot River.  I tlked about what they could expect to see in the form of hatches and fish. After my presentation, MJ decided she wanted to go fishing the next day. The day started off a little slow and we had some opportunities at a few fish. MJ, like most people who come to Montana to fish, was having trouble with setting the hook. When you are missing fish, it is primarily because you are setting to fast. In New Zealand the guides will tell you to say "God save the Queen" after you see the fish eat your dry fly. I tell people to count to two or say "I got you" before setting. The reason being is the fish must take the fly under water before you lift up, otherwise you will pull the fly out of the fishes mouth. After MJ found her groove, she started wailing on fish. That day, and in that channel, she landed a 17, 18, 19 and a 20 inch trout! Needless to say, it was a good day. At one point she looked at me and said, "Aces Sean, nothing but aces!" Here is a link of MJ releasing one of her fish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0HLyzKgkxc

Then there was the day that I took Greg Hect fishing.  Greg had been in the Bitterroot for a few weeks but had only caught a few small fish.  I told him, like I tell everyone, I am a guide not God.  I know where the fish are but I cannot make them eat!  Greg, it just so happened, got a day where the fish were eating in a big way.  The fish were loving a properly presented Hecuba/Mahogany Dun combo.  The Hecuba is our last drake of  the year and has a green thorax and a brownish tail.  It is best imitated by a size 10 or 12 a brown or green drake.  Greg had a beautiful hook set and the one big fish that did not make it to the net, was only due to the fact that it broke him off during an explosive run.  We landed many fish that day with the best being a 17, 18, 18.5 and a 19 inch trout.  The most memorable fish was the 19 incher.  Greg was fighting the healthy cutbow for a few minutes, with his line stretched halfway across the river, when we heard a bunch of commotion on the water below us.  I looked downstream only to see a flock of about 20 mergansers taking flight and headed straight toward Greg's line.  I started yelling at the ducks, as if the could understand every word, "You damn ducks better not hit his line!"  I thought for sure at least one would collide with his line, which would cause us to lose the fish.  But being the good ducks they were, they "ducked" his line and we were able to land the fish.  Here is the link to the video of Greg fighting the fish as the mergansers took flight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DefXcH4GvWI and the link to him releasing it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHeV5r241ps  

September is now almost over and trees are starting to get their fall colors.  Some of the best fishing of the year is coming up.  Most of the time the river is pretty vacant; the kids are back in school and a lot of people are in hunting mode.  If you haven't experienced the Bitterroot River in all its fall glory, it is time to hit it!  The fish are in the better shape than anyone has ever seen them and they know winter is coming.  We are starting to see decent numbers of October caddis and mahoganies.  Even though the Hecubas are beginning to wane, there are still enough of them out to fool some nice fish.  There are still a ton of grasshoppers hitting the water and barring any major cold snap they should be around until late October.  As we push later into October look for the baetis hatches to be incredible.  As a matter of fact, I think it is time to turn of this damn computer a go do some fishing!

The Signficance of the Western Tanager.

Well I can't stand it anymore and by this weekend word will be out. For those of you that think I have lost it and I am now a bird watcher, you are partly correct. Birds will tell you a lot about fishing both on rivers and the ocean. When certain birds arrive, you must ask yourself, "Self, why are they here now?" When the swallows are filling the air on a river, have you ever stopped to wonder why? I have always told my clients, "When the birds start eating, the fish will follow." However, the arrival of the Western Tanager to the East and Westfork of the Bitterroot River means only one thing; the emergence of the mighty Salmonfly. These beautiful songbirds are ONLY here during the Salmonfly hatch. Where they go the rest of the summer, I have no idea. They are native to the Rocky Mountain West and any bird book will tell you they are present all summer. But in the 10 years I have been guiding, I have NEVER seen them after the Salmonflies are gone. The Western Tanager is actually a subspecies of the Cardinal family. The red pigment in the face of the Western Tanager is rhodoxanthin, a pigment rare in birds. It is not manufactured by the bird, as are the pigments used by the other red tanagers. Instead, it must be acquired from the diet, presumably from insects (Salmonflies) that themselves acquire the pigment from plants. A truly amazing fact is that the incubation period for the Western Tanager is only 13 days. After both parents feed the hatchlings for 11 short days, they leave the nest. However, they will stay close to the parents for a few weeks. I think the fact that they are dining on Salmonflies allows the hatchlings to grow at such an incredible rate. In early fall, they migrate south for the winter as far as Panama. I want to be a Western Tanager chasing the Salmonfly hatch and winter in Panama. What a life!

So now that I have let the bird out of the bag, yes there are Salmonflies on both the East and Westfork of the Bitterroot River. The Eastfork is fishing a little more consistent on dry flies and there are Western Tanagers from top to bottom. The Westfork is a little different story right now. The flows are coming down and it is starting to come into shape. I floated the Westfork twice late this week from Painted Rocks dam down the entire length to High Bank with identical results. There are no Western Tanagers at the dam yet. We did have some good results fishing Salmonfly nymphs for the first two plus miles. However, once I saw the first Western Tanager we switched to a dry Salmonfly. About five minutes later we were landing our first fish on a dry! It is amazing what a bird will tell you without even knowing English! There were Western Tanagers everywhere until we hit Nez Perce Creek. Right now Nez Perce is easily doubling the size of the Westfork. Not only is it increasing the volume, it is also cooling down the water 3-4 degrees. Now that may seem insignificant, but Salmonflies need the water to be at least 50 degrees to emerge as adults. The water temps below Nez Perce were 47 and guess what, no bugs. We did not see any Western Tanagers the rest of the float and did not have another fish rise to a Salmonfly. We did find a few fish willing to eat a Salmonfly nymph. It was only in the 2 mile "micro-ecosystem" did we find the tanagers and fish willing to eat a dry Salmonfly.This is all about to change as the Westfork is dropping fast. The entire length should start fishing by early to mid next week. You now know the signs to look for. I start a long stretch of guiding on Sunday and will post photos and stories when I can. Now is the time to drop everything you are doing and chase the big bug like you were a Western Tanager.

The Western Tanager's are here!

The Western Tanager's are here! That is all I am gonna say. If you don't know the significance then either call me or stop by the shop.

Didymo on the Westfork

I have floated the Westfork of the Bitterroot River a couple of times in the last week, before the water started pouring over the dam, and couldn't help but notice the large amounts of Didymo on the rocks and underwater brush. Now before you freak out and think the sky is falling, let's back up a little bit. For those of you who don't know what didymo (aka "rock snot") is, I will try to explain the little I know.

Didymo is a naturally occurring diatom that is found in almost every Western river that runs clean and cold. This diatom has received a lot of press as of late in places like New Zealand, Chile/Patagonia and some rivers in the U.S.. When didymo explodes on rivers, it covers miles of river and forms very large mats (up to 6-12" deep) and that choke off aquatic life. Didymo thrives on rivers that receive a lot of sunshine, which is most good trout fisheries. Once didymo takes hold of a river, it is almost impossible to eradicate. New Zealand was the first country to take a proactive position by banning the use all felt soled boots . This is just one way didymo is transferred from river to river. It also can be transferred via boats (both clinging to the bottom and sides as well as water stored in the boat itself), any type of clothing, fishing gear and birds. (By the way the picture to the right is NOT on the Westfork. It is a stock picture of a completely choked river by didymo.) Although we cannot control the spread through birds, the other ways didymo is transferred can be controlled. If you are taking your boat from one river to another be sure to wash it out completely and thoroughly with a 10% bleach solution before getting to your next destination. If you have felt soled wading boots, make sure to thoroughly wash them with at least a 10% bleach solution and let them COMPLETELY dry out. Most wader companies are now making rubber soled boots to help fight the spread of didymo. However, they too must be washed and dried. Currently, there are many states considering banning felt soled wading boots in attempt to stop the spread of didymo, as well as other "Aquatic Nuisance Species". As of this writing, Vermont and Maryland have bills in the House of Representatives awaiting approval. Alaska was the first state to enact any legislation and will ban all felt in SE Alaska in 2011 and state-wide in 2012.

After the first time I noticed didymo on the Westfork of the Bitterroot River, I called Chris Clancy, Montana FWP Fisheries Biologist for the Bitterroot River. Mr. Clancy immediately relayed my story via email to both James Craft, Research Scientist Flathead Lake Biological Station and Bob Wiltshire, Executive Director Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species. I received an email from all of the above parties asking if I could collect samples the next time I was on the Westfork. I collected two samples (the first 2 miles above Job Corps and the second 2 miles below Job Corps) which Mr. Clancy immediately sent off to be analyzed. I have to give props and thank Mr. Clancy for his prompt actions regarding this matter. For those of you who follow my blog, you know that I have had some harsh words for Mr. Clancy. However, during this process he has been great to work with and his reposnses have been immediate. Mr. Clancy also informed me that there will be someone on the Bitterroot River this summer from the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species that will be sampling the river for invasive species. When I find out more information on this issue I will follow up with another blog. In the meantime, I do not think we are due for a full blown invasion of didymo. However, if we experience severe low flows this year, anything could happen. The best thing anyone can do is practice the good preventative measures described above.

Nymphing 'Em Up During a Blizzard Caddis Hatch!

For those of you that know me, prepare to be shocked! This weekend we saw some explosive fishing during the Mother's Day caddis hatch on the Bitterroot River. However, almost every nice fish ate a stonefly nymph fished about five feet down. I am not the biggest fan of nymphing but you cannot argue with results. The caddis hatch on the Bitterroot River is a weird time. People will tell you they have epic days on the Bitterroot during this hatch, but I beg to differ. If you want to catch a bunch of small fish, then by all means throw a caddis dry. I was on the river all day Saturday and Sunday and saw maybe four real fish eat a caddis. I have found that for some reason the larger fish on the Bitterroot River tend to ignore caddis adults. People have asked me why on almost all other Western rivers the caddis is a very important food source for trout but not so much on the Bitterroot River. I believe there are a few reasons for this unique feeding activity. First of all, the Bitterroot River contains 64 different type of stoneflies! During the Mother's Day caddis hatch and even summertime hatches there is always a stonefly (either adult or nymph) for our fish to choose from. These are much easier and meatier targets for large trout. Therefore, they do not have to spend as much energy sipping a much larger stonefly that is prone on the water versus a caddis that is bouncing all over the place as it lays it's eggs. Furthermore, in the spring (and summer and fall for that matter) when the caddis are out there are also multiple types of mayflies on the water as well. Just like the massive variety of stoneflies, the Bitterroot River has almost every type of Western mayfly. Once again, a floating mayfly dun or spinner is a much easier target for a hungry trout than a bouncing caddis.

With all this being said, this weekend we decided to throw a stonefly nymph almost all day on both days. Yes, I said we threw a nymph all day and yes I am feeling well! Saturday, a buddy of mine was back in town for the weekend so we decided to hit the rio. The day before he had wade fished and "absolutely crushed 'em" on dry flies. However, on Saturday he must have either angered the fish Gods, spent all his good luck the day before or maybe it was just karma for calling me every ten minutes the previous day telling me his triumphs as I sat in the shop, he could not land a fish to save his life on Sunday. He must have locked into at least 20 fish and only landed a few. I won't mention his name but when you hear me say, "You Robbed 'em", maybe you will figure it out. The best fish of the day was a nice tail out Brown, that when it jumped the first time, I thought would be in the 20" class but turned out to be 18 1/2". This wily adversary fell victim to a Freddy in the deadest of dead water. Freddy, you da man!

Sunday, being Mother's Day, I took my beautiful wife out. After the day previous, I was hoping she could get good juju back on Bella (my boat's name)! Only minutes into the float, she landed a nice 14" Weslope cutthroat; yes on a nymph. She proceeded to absolutely crush fish after fish, most of which came to the boat. Jenna brought over 20 fish to the boat on Sunday and definitely got some good juju back on Bella. The biggest fish she landed was an 18 1/2" Cutbow that absolutely exploded when she set the hook. The fish jumped two times and gave two smoking hot runs that made her reel sing! Unfortunately, she Robbed a nice big brown and a VERY large trout at the end of the float. You can’t win them all! It was a great day for Jenna to get out and enjoy all the Bitterroot River has to offer. That night she had a smile ear to ear as she massaged her battle worn arm.

A New Pod Cast Fishing Report is Up

You better get out there while you still can. Runoff is right around the corner!

http://explorethebitterroot.com/bitterroot-river-still-fishing-well