Catch Montana - Montana Flywater, Hamilton, Montana

David's Flywater Corner

Follow this link to Some Things from David's Memorial

Rest in Peace David

2008-06-16

Friends of Dave Dedmon,

I'm sorry to have to pass on some very bad news, some of you may already be aware of this but I wanted to make sure that anyone who didn't know was notified. Dave Dedmon passed away yesterday in a boating accident on the east fork of the Bitterroot river. He was floating with his wife Sharon when their raft hit a downed willow tree that was crossing the entire river. The raft flipped and both were thrown into the raging and freezing water. They were able to get together for a few minutes after the swamping and were holding hands as they were swept downstream but unfortunately the river was so turbulent that they got separated and sometime in the course of those terrifying few minutes Dave suffered a traumatic head injury that caused him to lose consciousness. His body was found about a mile downstream from where Sharon was rescued by two fisherman that had witnessed the event. Sharon came very close to drowning and with the water she was suffering terribly from hypothermia. She is ok now.

So I'm sorry to be the bearer of this terrible news about our beloved friend and all around great guy. There will be a memorial service this Saturday in Hamilton, I'm sorry I don't know any more details at this time, but when I do find out more I'll send along another email.

Thanks,

Brent Cotton

Not Logged In

Flywater Weather and River Forecast

A minor warm up is in the forecast across the Gem State today and through the weekend, although a huge temperature recovery is unlikely. Locally we will see a gradual warming with mostly dry skies through Monday. Expect windy conditions at times with a mix of sunshine and clouds. Temperatures into the high 70's to low 80's for Highs and Lows into the 40's at night.

The Bitterroot River Report

Bitterroot River Statistics
Water Temp: 44
River Flows: 3,000 cfs Steady

With this weekend shaping up to be warm and sunny with 80 degree temps in the forecast, It should get the Salmonflies up and flying and on the water for sure. The negative side to this is we can expect another big push of water. How much and how it comes off? We'll just have to wait and see.

In the meantime we've been getting in some good days of fishing in on some days. The Upper Bitterroot is not doing to bad. Some tributaries are also looking like good options going into the weekend.

The nymph fishing we've had to endure over the past weeks should tuned more into a dry fly kind of thing this weekend! Yeah!

Hatches: Some Salmonflies, Green Drakes, Golden Stones and of course Caddis

Use Caution Out There! Keep Yours Eyes Open

The Madison River Report

Madison River Statistics
Water Temp 47
River Flow 2,100 cfs Steady

The river right now is actually in pretty good shape; way more green than brown for its full length. The water is still high and fast so lots of lead and big Girdle Bugs and San Juans are pretty much requirements. A couple of us went out and floated on Monday up river a ways. Did fairly well too, though you did have to lay it in what quiet water there was and keep it there for a few seconds. We did manage a few decent fish on stripped streamers but the San Juan/Pat’s Rubber Legs combo was definitely the ticket. Got some nice ones too. Once we got down below McAtee Bridge though things slowed considerably. I’ll attribute that more to lack of slower water than anything else. The fish we did catch were fat, healthy and very pissed off to be removed from their homes however briefly.

While you may be gambling a bit a trip out here right now isn’t a completely bad idea, you just might want to get here in the next day or two. It looks like we may be in for some warmer weather over the coming weekend which may or may not get the snow rolling out of the hills. As for the next few weeks up here…? That’s the Sixty Four Thousand Dollar question. Yes, it’s time to start thinking Salmonflies. It’s very possible we could see a few adults on the lower river near Norris some time in the next 10 days. I’m guessing the bugs will hold off up here until the last little bit of June or early July. The big unknown is what the water will look like when they do show up. If we get the warm weather that the bugs prefer we’ll most likely get some very dirty water as well. If it stays cool the river should stay in good shape but the bugs could come off poorly. The stars would really need to align perfectly for a great hatch and great fishing to coincide this year.

Here’s the scenario I think we’d need at this point. Cool days and cold nights for the next two weeks, enough to keep the river level slowly dropping and the high snow locked up. Then a slow warming to mid-70 degree daytime temps around the last week of June. If this happens, and it looks like there’s a good chance it might. We quite possibly could get a week or more of really good fishing when the bugs first show. You’ll definitely want to keep your fingers crossed and a sacrifice to the fish gods wouldn’t hurt either. We’ll keep you posted.

The Missouri River Report

Missouri River Statistics
Water Temp: 51 °
River Flows: 14,600 cfs - Dropping

Crazy, the weather, the fishing, and the management of the river. While we are being doused with over 12" of very (super) wet snow, the Bureau of Reclamation is reducing flows coming out of Holter Dam. By Thursday morning, we'll see a 1200 cfs drop. Stuart went skiing at Bridger Bowl outside of Bozeman Wednesday morning. Go figure. The Bureau of Reclamation feels that high flows will subside by June 20. Hmmmmm..... we'll have to wait and see on that one. There are no guarantees. Get ready. PMD's and Caddis are going to be here in full force soon.

Big fish continue to be the story. You're not getting them on top, but you are getting them. Bright orange San Juan worms simply work. Sorry. Won't it be nice to park your tungsten scuds and weight flies? Before long, it will be PMD and Caddis dries. We got the flushing flows we wanted. The bugs should go wild when the river reaches the magic level (which is?). While winter continues to hang in there, the earth continues to tilt. Spring will come June 20th. We're not sure when summer will arrive.

The regional deluge we received Wednesday will give way by Friday. Perhaps we'll get a week of spring before summer arrives. Flows coming out of Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn River are on the rise and could produce silty conditions once again. Don't put your streamers away quite yet. With any luck, the Missouri's tributaries will purge themselves for the last time this year. Think sunshine.

Stay Tuned For More River Reports

Dave Dedmon
Montana Flywater Company
Hamilton, Montana 59840

Flywater Weather Forecast

Pacific storm systems continue to line up one after the other, willkeep our region unsettled and cool for much of the week ahead. Mostly cloudy skies with a chance of showers will be possible. The best chance of rain will be Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the 50's and lows in the 40's. More sun on Thursday and getting much warmer by the weekend.

River Report

There's still alot of water out there folks! We are expecting above average flows through the summer at this point which means we're looking at excellent fishing conditions through July and August and even into the fall. Until the rivers do drop more, we will have to work harder to find the better fishing areas. High water tactics are working on some of our rivers and some of our tributaries.

The Upper Bitteroot is continuing to drop with the cooler weather pattern were in. It remains to be seen whether we'll see another peak or not at this point. The rivers are clearing some and there is some fishing to be had. Its mostly been a nymphing deal with bigger stoneflys and the old standby San Juan worm in the slower seams. If you do go use exta caution there are lots of new hazards out there. Make sure your with someone that knows how to row a boat!

Stream Flow Outlook and Forecast

June 1 snowpack was 148 percent of average and 374 percent of last year. The Columbia River Basin was 145 percent of average; Missouri River Basin was 155 percent of average; St. Mary River Basin was 118 percent of average; and the Yellowstone River Basin was 155 percent of average.

May mountain precipitation in the Columbia River Basin was 100 percent of average; Missouri River Basin was 143 percent of average; St. Mary was 133 percent of average; and Yellowstone River Basin was 162 percent of average.

“There is still enough mountain snow remaining for most rivers to peak again from snowmelt,” said Roy Kaiser, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) water supply specialist. “June snowmelt peaks will be dependant upon temperature and rainfall.”

Statewide, streamflow forecasts average between 105 and 122 percent. West of the Continental Divide, streamflow forecasts average between 102 and 113 percent, and east of the Continental Divide, streamflow forecasts average between 107 and 127 percent.

Below are averaged river basin streamflow forecast summaries for the period June 1 through July 31. These forecasts do not account for well below average (70% or less) or well above average (130% or more) snowmelt or rain. Specific forecast probabilities are available in each individual River Basin Report.

Streamflow Forecasts River Basin June-July this Year Percent of Average June-July Last Year Percent of Average
Columbia 102 to 113 57 to 68
--Kootenai 103 to 113 74 to 86
--Flathead 106 to 118 67 to 75
--Upper Clark Fork 84 to 100 54 to 68
--Bitterroot 112 to 124 37 to 47
--Lower Clark Fork 119 to 123 48 to 57
Missouri 102 to 123 30 to 47
--Jefferson 89 to 115 16 to 35
--Madison 118 to 126 45 to 53
--Gallatin 120 to 131 42 to 53
--Missouri Mainstem 106 to 118 28 to 39
--Smith-Judith-Musselshell 107 to 133 25 to 44
--Sun-Teton-Marias 105 to 124 41 to 57
--Milk 84 to 125 46 to 66
St. Mary 94 to 111 69 to 86
Yellowstone 120 to 137 40 to 54
--Upper Yellowstone 112 to 126 38 to 53
--Lower Yellowstone 132 to 153 44 to 57
Statewide 105 to 122 43 to 57

NOTE: The JUNE-JULY LAST YEAR % OF AVERAGE column above is last year’s forecasts on June 1 (not what actually occurred).

Missouri River Report

Flows.......are the ever present topic of discussion. Here's what we can safely say. At the present fill rate, Canyon Ferry Lake will be full in about 10 days - 14 days. Flows coming into Canyon Ferry Lake appear to have stabilized at 18,800 cfs. It's cold and cooler temperatures in the low to mid 50's are in the forecast for the next 10 days. Flows driven by snow melt going into Canyon Ferry Lake may slow temporarily. When it warms up or rains, something else could happen. Rain is in and out of the forecast for the next ten days. Flows coming out of Holter Dam are 14,900 cfs and have been stable for 48 hours. The Missouri's temperature is stuck at 51°. A couple more degrees would be beneficial. It's very, very green outside and people are catching fish, big fish (most of them trout). You can fish the river from Holter Dam to Cascade. As you move downstream, flows increase with the tributaries' input. Not many people are venturing below Prewett Creek. Those fishing the silt with streamers below the Dearborn River are not complaining. Nor are the vast majority of nymphers. Dry fly only guys will have a tough go of it. The Dearborn River is running at 990 cfs and on the verge of clearing. So is Little Prickly Pear Creek. The Missouri's trout are very happy. While they are working hard to stay in place, they are energized by the abundant food sources scooped up by the impressive current. Technically, we are getting flushing flows. If the lake fills and the flows continue to stay above the current 14,900 cfs, we could get the flush we are really looking for.

Weather will paint the picture.

Clouds are seemingly always in the picture. That's not a bad thing. The Missouri's wild trout are constantly on the prowl. If it were bright and sunny, fishing reports would suffer. If the flows were lower, it would be a dry fly bonanza.

Sunday: Rain likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. West wind between 11 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Bugs
The upper river still has a few baetis and midges. Caddis are sort of popping on the lower river. It's pretty cold out there. You won't see much in the way of dry fly activity, but it is possible. You'll have to look very hard. Expect to fish subsurface with Flashback PT's, Tungsten Scuds, The Worm, Midge Larvae, Caddis Larvae, and Buggers. Think shallow water and deep rigging with weight. Streamers in the silt yields big fish..

You really have to have a boat to fish the Missouri. Make sure it's up to the task. If you don't know the river, a guided trip will definitely help make your day. The Missouri looks placid, but it's not. One wrong move could be costly. Be very careful where you anchor. Stay out of the heavy current. The volume of water coming your way is impressive. Back rowing is simply hard work.

Caution! We do not recommend wading. Period

Flushing flows will lead to big heads eating dry flies for years to come!

Stay Tuned For More River Reports

Dave Dedmon
Montana Flywater Company
Hamilton,Montana 59840

Flywater Forecast

Moist Pacific air and small disturbances will keep showers and thunderstorms in the forecast for most of Montana today and Monday. Western Montana will have showers and a few thunderstorms likely today and tonight. A chance of scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will then linger on into Monday. We look to be in between Pacific disturbances on Tuesday and as a result conditions should be mostly dry with cooling temperatures.

Flywater River Report

All area rivers(Bitterroot,Big Blackfoot, Clarkfork)are still pretty much blown out. We are now moving into our peak runoff month as of today. With air temperatures forecast to be into the lower to mid 60's for highs and lows into the low to mid 40's this could keep the peak flows at bay. I went out to recon and survey both the Eastfork and Westfork Rivers today and found no activity of Salmonflies! There was a heavy amount of clouds with thunderstorms in both areas. We had a heavy amount of rain in spots too. Use caution out there!

Missouri River Report

Steady flows are in the picture for at least the short term Canyon Ferry Lake is 89.1% full. Flows coming into the lake are 13,400 cfs and slowly declining. Flows coming out of the lake are 11200 cfs. Canyon Ferry will continue to fill, but at a slower rate. The rumor mill has flows increasing to 13,000 cfs. If so, it will likely happen on Monday.

You have to have a boat to fish the Missouri. A boat will do you some good. A guide will provide you a much better time. If possible, reserve a guide with high-water experience on the Missouri. It's a limited pool. The last time we had sustained high water was 1997. Low water has been the norm. What we are witnessing now is normal.

Clean water will greet you from the Dam to the Dearborn River. You can fish river right from the Dearborn to Mid Canyon. After that the Missouri mixes with the Dearborn River completely. The end result is less than optimal. It will likely stay this way for awhile. There's a ton of snow in the Dearborn drainage system that will perk up the flows once again as air temperatures rise into the mid 70's

The allure to fishing the Missouri is wade fishing to rising fish in the flat water. You won't find that right now. When will you see it? Hmm mm. Big fish are in the storyline. Take what the river has to offer. It's a lot by most standards.

Fishing reports are good subsurface. There's plenty of bugs, but the fish aren't looking at the top. Caddis, BWO's, and midges all produce. Clouds are generally in the picture and could help you find some heads. There's probably a decent March Brown hatch. The water has been muddy where we'd expect to see them. As things clear, we'll be able to float into their lower river habitat. For now, stick to the upper river. Think deep and bring some heavy bugs. A sink tip line won't hurt either.

Stay Tuned for More River Reports

Dave Dedmon
Outfitter/Guide
Montana Flywater Company
Hamilton, Montana 59840

River Report

All of our local rivers are still blown out right now. Forget the tributaries for at least a week or so. It may be a while until any of the mainstem rivers start to shape back up again. Its a tailwater or lake thing for now.

The Missouri Report

While the tributaries feeding the Missouri below Holter Dam are quickly declining, the Missouri itself is on the rise. At 9:00 PM Wednesday, the Missouri below Holter Dam was at 9500 cfs and likely on its way past 10,000. You have to have a boat. A boat will do you some good. A guide will provide you a much better time. If possible, reserve a guide with high-water experience on the Missouri. It's a limited pool. The last time we had sustained high water was 1997. Low water has been become the norm.

Good news - flows have been adjusted outside of your fishing hours. Adjustments upwards will likely stop Friday, and will not resume until runoff picks up again (it will). Impact on your fishing is minimized by the Bureau of Reclamation's current management policy. Higher clean flows will improve the clarity diminished by the tributaries above average flows. Right now, you can fish the river from the Dam to the Dearborn River. Clean water will disappear at the Dearborn. At 2,000 cfs, the Dearborn is still kicking out plenty of mud. If the weather holds and the Dearborn continues its rapid decline, you'll be able to fish below the Missouri River confluence soon.

With flows subsiding coming into the system, we expect things to stabilize for the short term. There's still plenty of snow in the mountains. It could rain. It could snow. It could turn 90°. Or, it could stay normal. Expect the unexpected. The river will not magically turn into a dry fly mecca. Someday in the very near future, it will be.

Caddis may have to take a look at their surroundings. Air temperatures will hit the 70's . Blue wings will be out in droves with the clouds. You'll have to look pretty hard to find any fish eating them off the surface. The worm is and will be a steady producer. Bring scuds, streamers, and midge larvae. Get it down where it needs to be. Structure will be your friend as the fish seek a placid environment. They're going to get fat. Imagine the food coming off the river's bottom.

The allure to fishing the Missouri is wade fishing to rising fish in the flat water. You won't find that right now. When will you see it? Hmmmm. Fishing reports from the depths are still pretty good. Big fish are in the storyline. Take what the river has to offer. It's a lot by most standards.

Stay tuned For More River Reports

Dave Dedmon
Montana Flywater Company
Hamilton, Montana