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

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

Time to Stir the Pot!

If you have been keeping tabs on the controversy swirling around my blog, you will see that I had a chance to talk with Mr. Clancy. During this conversation I picked up on a few points I would like to discuss further. First of all, Mr. Clancy informed me that he is not the person who issues the 310 permit. He stated that he is only an “advisor” during the process. The Army Corps of Engineers and Bitterroot Conservation District issue the permits. However, without Mr. Clancy's approval the 310 permit cannot be issued. The 310 permits for the projects below Tucker were issued last fall for the Double Fork Ranch and the two residents just below Tucker crossing. Mind you that the total job stretched almost 3-4 continuous miles of river. Instead of undertaking the work all at once, is it possible to prioritize these jobs and construct each over time? Granted, the homeowners would receive a priority due to the fact that their homes were in immediate danger. After the work was complete, the river should be allowed to heal. After one or two seasons, only then the Double Fork should have been allowed to do the work. The Double Fork would receive the lowest priority due to the fact that no structures were being threatened. The only reason the bank stabilization was done on the Double Fork was to protect property values. Ironically, the river makes the Double Fork property extremely valuable but yet they want to stop it from doing its natural thing. If this model was implemented, it would have lessened the immediate impact on this section of water. It is my opinion, that the extensive amount of work that was done in this section will have direct and negative affect on the aquatic life and therefore the fish productivity. We will find out as the season continues.



Another comment from Mr. Clancy jumped out at me while discussing this issue. I don't want to directly quote him, but it was my understanding that he thought the entire project was completed last fall. Now, anyone who floated that section was surprised by the work that was being done both last fall and this spring. It was obvious that there was NO work being done at the homeowners’ location last fall. Why Mr. Clancy did not go down to inspect these projects is beyond me. It is not like he is in Helena. His office is right next door to my shop. Since he had obviously not been down to the river, I guess he was just as surprised as everyone else when the work commenced this spring. Is it not Mr. Clancy’s job, as head fisheries biologist, to know exactly when these projects start and finish? Shouldn’t he be at least mildly concerned about the quality of work being done? Pretty amazing when you think about it! Like I said, I don't want to directly quote him but if you would like to discuss this with him and get direct quotes feel free to call his office at (406)363-7169.


As far as the whole 310 permit process goes, I believe that the Bitterroot "Conservation" District, the Army Corps of Engineers and Mr. Clancy only care about the wealthy landowners’ interests, i.e. the Double Fork Ranch. Why would pasture land take precedence over, not only a homeowner, but the health of the river itself? Moreover, if you buy land on the river it is worth exponentially more than land just off the river. That is all well and good. However, why should they be allowed to stop the river from meandering, as rivers do, just to protect their property values? Eventually, the channelization of the Bitterroot River will choke it to death. The Double Fork does little for the economic welfare of the Bitterroot Valley. Conversely, the Bitterroot River is worth millions of dollars annually, not only to us guides and fly shop owners, but also to hotel/lodge owners, other retail shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and so on. There is currently very little else driving the Bitterroot Valleys economy besides the tourism. I am sure this post will continue to stoke the fires of the current debate. However, I have never been one to back down from a fight nor have I ever been afraid to voice my opinion.