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.