Reflections of 2017

A long fishing season is abruptly ended with ended cold weather and snow. Three days of nearly continuous snowfall with lows in the teens, has made it a time to try and get some work done. Where I live and fish has seen a torrent of forest fires and thick smoke the came with them. Breathing became difficult and as word spread, fishing became much of a dream as a reality. Springtime runoff flooded the Blackfoot, ans I took to the Missouri River to get my itch scratched. It was a good time fishing on a drift boat, using nymphs and with indicators. The Missouri River is home to a huge number of rainbows, often very large fish. The beauty of the countryside softened the slow stretches and attest to the skills of Lewis and Clark, as they explored the Northwest on their way to the Pacific.

         

Rainbow trout, only the first of many

Fish on for my friend Wayne Kennedy

Smiles all around

         The following months in Montana brought a slump in fishing on the Blackfoot.

  The abundant snow pack melted into a surge of water into the Blackfoot River. Fishing was effectively shut down until July. On July 18th the fires began. Stonewall Mountain, just a few miles to the north was hit by lightning, immediately  Shortly after other fires erupted and the summer of fires was beginning. It kept fishermen at bay for months. occasionally a wind would blow and clear out the air around the river, those days were rare. Day after day, only going outside for a short time was not healthy nor conducive to activity that involved breathing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The months slowed to a crawl for fishing. Tourists were unable to marvel at the beauty of the state, Montana suffered greatly. The fly shops ran in slow gear, bicycle riders, hikers and campers changed their plans and those that came, left early. Today the state is wrestling with a huge debt incurred with the costs of putting out the fires. From one end of the state to the other, huge, killer fires engulfed paradise I live in. Finally on September 14th, rains came. The damage had been done and a summer was lost.   

                                                     

Thick smoke covered the state from one end to the other.

Fall has been brief, but rewarding. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I usually enjoy fall fishing and September was no disappointment. Other fly fishers showed up and many spots were busy. I moved to the canyon, further downstream to find seclusion and cut throats. I did have the pleasure of friends on several trips out. Wildlife was exciting to see as were the trout.

                                                        

The river is a retreat for peace of mind

Brown Trout

Fall colored cut throat

 The fishing was good, with many fish to the net! October was even better, as the leaves turn golden and the skies turned blue. Fly selection was not easy, Insect hatches were not as normal. Blue skies abounded as some warmth gave rise to hatches.

A perfect day

 The Westslope Cut throat is a protected species and must be released.

       Now in early November, the weather has brought sub freezing temperatures and snow! It will stay cold for another few days, but the woolies are all ready to go when a good day comes along. Winter has not ever stopped my fishing days, it presents new challenges and techniques. The stretched to fish are only where the snowplows have cleared a place to park, Walking through deep snow is difficult, but I do have my spots that fish well in winter.

Fall colors are rich and fill the woods

October Caddis

Hiking to the river

Green Humpy took this cut throat

Fat trout

Midges worked great

Blue winged olive

Every trout is beautiful

Moose watching for a short time

The blood midge is irresistable

Leaves dissapear in late October 

Spectacular 

Turning away

Left in my files are many other photographs, some extraordinary. Editing them for publication is difficult process. Enjoy what is thought to be some of the best.

Thank you for reading my blog, it is enjoyable to share personal experiences on the river. Fly fishing is an addiction, "The tug is the drug!"

Share this with your friends and may we all find  peace and good health....

For a closer view of any photograph, click it.

Long absence

August 31st, 2017

Lincoln, Mt.

Fishing report

Lack of pressure has meant the fish are easily deceived. The tourist crowd has moved on, leaving some great opportunities for the fall months. The upper Blackfoot becomes it's best at the end of  August.

The real issue now are the multiple giant fires that are making breathing a real challenge.

Last Friday, a break in conditions brought me back to some favorite stretches. 

Always something new has the trout rising. 

My first rise was to a hopper. That trout never came back. I switched to a leggy spider, hoping the trout would pounce, but no luck. running through some royal wulff, tiny red dot wets, I finally found some trout food. A green, wet hackle, just tied below a small beadhead. Great hook up. nice to feel.

The best of Blackfoot Fishing is close at hand...

The fall months, may, we hope, clear the skies and return the river to a normal fall pattern

February Thaw

 February thaw. Temperatures have, for now, gone as high as 40 degrees the. Snow is still dominates along the river, but once in the water, walking is easy. The cut throat trout are getting close to spawning season, big, fat and very colorful, One male sported a nice kype jaw and fought like a tiger.

Three particular flies are now getting their interest. The San Juan worm, rubber legs and streamers are in my simple box.

As it happens every season, I have been getting out and relocating where all the do dads belong,

rigging up, loading a winter fly box, trying new waders and boots. It is also a time to find muscles that have been sleeping for a few months. This time of year is strictly slow fun times with no other people on the water. A few others have shown themselves, mostly very serious fly fishers.

Love the first hook up of the 2017 season.

Rubber legs 

San Juan Worm

  

Who trespasses to catch trout? 

In Montana the major share of land is owned by the federal government. National Parks, National Forests, BLM land, and nature protection sanctuaries. 

However, many great fishing stretches are running through private property, and the only way to gain access is to float or hike below the high water mark from a spot on the highway or through public lands. The absolute best policy if in doubt, is to ask for permission. Maybe I am just a trustworthy old man, but when I do ask permission it is always granted and a friendship might commence from the encounter. Rather than risk an episode, just ask. 

The interior of the net is 18"

Westslope Cut Throat Trout

Fly fishing is an art, a sport,health activity and a wonderful pass time.

Is is not difficult to catch fish with a fly. Many enjoy seeing picture and following the tales, but stop short of giving it a try. Finding a teacher is not difficult, my personal experience began with a book. 

Mental health, happiness and fitness are big bonuses to fly fishing.

This is a blurred picture, but it shows clearly the shoulders on this cut throat.

Yes snow is a feature of winter in Montana. Dressing for winter time requires a few extra layers for a comfortable time. Wearing wool is a secret, even when wet it will keep bodies warm. I always have a fire starter, flashlight, food, water and first aid bandages. I also carry an inexpensive camera (pawn shop) and a wool scarf in case the wind begins to blow. I have taken an unexpected swim a few times, the only fatal flaw of those episodes was a ruined camera. I carry a cheap cell phone in case I have another heart attack, and get get back into cell phone service range.

The Blackfoot River

Fooling a trout in winter is a great success

Clean water

Following river. The snow tracks are from moose and deer!

Thanks for reading my blog, I enjoy sharing and hope you find your way to the water soon.

Jim Savstrom

December in the refrigerator.

The air is extremely cold. It has a significant feel, much stronger than any other time of the year. Snowfall stays soft in untraveled meadows, trees wear white puffy sleeves. The river becomes clogged with stretches of ice. Sheets of it growing from the shores, the river narrows and sluices through. I haven't been to the river for nearly two weeks. I caught a nice cut throat on that last day, used a black woolly worm. Monday night will be in the -20 degree F. range. Maybe colder, but it hardly makes any difference. Lincoln is a great place to ride snowmobiles this year. The snowfall has given us comfort as a good winter helps all of the outdoors.  I have been fishing several years in a row when restricted fishing hours were necessary due to low river flow and warm temperatures.  

 I haven't fished for a while now, winter came early and with snow and low temperatures i enjoyed a break. I spent a good amount of time sorting flies,  getting boots and waders ready, along with the reel. Some servicing and a part replacement have begun. My days spent fishing sometimes exhaust me and I barely have the energy left to cook dinner let alone clean my fly line. It always gets carefully hung, ready to go! The times I do remember to clean my line, my casting gets much smoother and the line doesn"t grind on the line guard. So beginning this season I plan on giving more time cleaning the line.

Clear . clean and wild

Thought of summer

I am filled with memories , so many for 2016

Add caption

Winter descends, dressing for success means woollies foot to head. 

Beaver Creek Road

Greetings

Heaven on Earth. 

 A new springtime will will soon emerge. Bitter cold and snow are recreating and bringing continued life to the wonders of the river.
I look forward to sorting my flies, collecting new ones and repairing some equipment during this cold time.
When the days get a bit longer and before the spring run off, some of the best fishing will happen. Last season, April was terrific. Mother nature will let us know. Now the river is frozen so I will be patient.
Thank you for reading my simple thoughts. I appreciate your time,  very much enjoy sharing what I have.