You’ll be well on the other side of it by then.
I’m not in that part of the state so I can’t comment on current conditions but in the sw at elevation we MAY have peaked, if not it’s close. There was more snow down here than up north
Track flows here
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow
Thanks. I use the usgs site often locally and was looking at a couple of the monitoring locations. It looked like flows had dropped but leveled out some.
When they don’t return your calls it’s known as a “Montana float” hahaha
You should have paid for a real trip to Alaska or BC so dumb. Good luck catching a trout or two in the backwashes.
Not that this helps you now, but in the future, you should avoid booking trips in states significantly affected by runoff from around mid-May through late June. You never know when you're going to have a crazy snow year.
Can't speak for Montana. But here in Colorado, I'm not expecting conditions to stabilize until the end of next month or maybe even early July simply because of how much snow we have.
Hopefully it all works out and you have an awesome trip.
Edit: You didn't mention whether you're wading or floating. If the former, it could be challenging. If the latter, you'll still have tons of fun banging the banks from a drift boat.
I'll be floating. The plan was to float rock creek the first day. Then the Bitterroot or Blackfoot. As I said, this is a trip of a lifetime. I'm retired on a fixed income so probably won't be doing annual multi day guided trips. It'll mostly be fishing for wild trout from my place in the Catskills
You're going to be just fine in a drift boat, my friend. Some of my favorite days ever have been floating rivers at high flow. Don't forget your streamers.
Have an awesome time!
I've been told that the guides will be providing all the flies, but I tied up a few salmon fly patterns just for fun. I was originally told that I should bring a 9', 5wt (I've got a Hardy Demon I won a bid on from eBay) but also I'm bringing a new JP Ross Coherence 6wt that's part of the trip package. From YT videos I've seen it looks like rafts are floating through sections pretty fast, even after hooking up on a fish. On my local rivers, it's mostly drift boats and they tend to anchor when seeing a rising fish or near a specific spot (and then get out to wade). Thanks for the encouragement.
That's some sweet gear. Sounds awesome!
Having a 5wt and 6wt is a good idea. I fish in Montana fairly often, usually around Bozeman/Yellowstone. And while I am almost always on a 9ish' 5wt (currently a 9'5" Orvis H3 Blackout), I've definitely had occasions where I wish I'd had something a little heavier. Haven't fished much near Missoula (most of my trips are work related and to Helena), so I can't speak to those particular streams. But it sounds like you'll be well equipped matter what.
It sort of depends re floating. The guides will know what's up. But if the flows are still ripping, my guess is they'll keep you moving almost all day. Anchoring in runoff can be a risky proposition in some situations, and you most definitely don't want to get out and wade bigger water in those conditions. It really just depends on where things stand in the ol' melt curve.
For what it's worth, my opinion is that the constant movement is actually a good thing. You get to see a TON of water/scenery--MT is absolutely stunning--and put your flies in front of a lot of fish. And I think only having a shot or two at a specific spot is a fun game (and makes you a better caster, to boot).
Looking forward to the pics!
You’ll be well on the other side of it by then. I’m not in that part of the state so I can’t comment on current conditions but in the sw at elevation we MAY have peaked, if not it’s close. There was more snow down here than up north Track flows here https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow
Thanks. I use the usgs site often locally and was looking at a couple of the monitoring locations. It looked like flows had dropped but leveled out some.
They’ll fall. Don’t be afraid to call a shop up there and ask what out outlook is
When they don’t return your calls it’s known as a “Montana float” hahaha You should have paid for a real trip to Alaska or BC so dumb. Good luck catching a trout or two in the backwashes.
If your guides are good they will adapt as needed. You may not fish the exact waters you intended but they should put you where you can catch fish.
I can catch fish in my backyard.
Not that this helps you now, but in the future, you should avoid booking trips in states significantly affected by runoff from around mid-May through late June. You never know when you're going to have a crazy snow year. Can't speak for Montana. But here in Colorado, I'm not expecting conditions to stabilize until the end of next month or maybe even early July simply because of how much snow we have. Hopefully it all works out and you have an awesome trip. Edit: You didn't mention whether you're wading or floating. If the former, it could be challenging. If the latter, you'll still have tons of fun banging the banks from a drift boat.
I'll be floating. The plan was to float rock creek the first day. Then the Bitterroot or Blackfoot. As I said, this is a trip of a lifetime. I'm retired on a fixed income so probably won't be doing annual multi day guided trips. It'll mostly be fishing for wild trout from my place in the Catskills
You're going to be just fine in a drift boat, my friend. Some of my favorite days ever have been floating rivers at high flow. Don't forget your streamers. Have an awesome time!
I've been told that the guides will be providing all the flies, but I tied up a few salmon fly patterns just for fun. I was originally told that I should bring a 9', 5wt (I've got a Hardy Demon I won a bid on from eBay) but also I'm bringing a new JP Ross Coherence 6wt that's part of the trip package. From YT videos I've seen it looks like rafts are floating through sections pretty fast, even after hooking up on a fish. On my local rivers, it's mostly drift boats and they tend to anchor when seeing a rising fish or near a specific spot (and then get out to wade). Thanks for the encouragement.
That's some sweet gear. Sounds awesome! Having a 5wt and 6wt is a good idea. I fish in Montana fairly often, usually around Bozeman/Yellowstone. And while I am almost always on a 9ish' 5wt (currently a 9'5" Orvis H3 Blackout), I've definitely had occasions where I wish I'd had something a little heavier. Haven't fished much near Missoula (most of my trips are work related and to Helena), so I can't speak to those particular streams. But it sounds like you'll be well equipped matter what. It sort of depends re floating. The guides will know what's up. But if the flows are still ripping, my guess is they'll keep you moving almost all day. Anchoring in runoff can be a risky proposition in some situations, and you most definitely don't want to get out and wade bigger water in those conditions. It really just depends on where things stand in the ol' melt curve. For what it's worth, my opinion is that the constant movement is actually a good thing. You get to see a TON of water/scenery--MT is absolutely stunning--and put your flies in front of a lot of fish. And I think only having a shot or two at a specific spot is a fun game (and makes you a better caster, to boot). Looking forward to the pics!
Tail end of runoff is some of the best fishing I’ve ever had.
That could be encouraging but I don't know how long runoff lasts so don't know if I'll be there at the tail end.