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Jack C. Mauer has more than a thirty year investment in fishing, floating and wading the waters of western Montana. He is intimately acquainted with the surrounding fisheries and their corresponding ecologies. It is his passion and enthusiasm for the art of fly fishing, a respect and knowledge of trout habitat, and the ability to expertly instruct the technical aspects of fly fishing that clients appreciate as they return to western Montana and Wapiti Waters. Contact Jack at 800-254-5311.

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Showing posts with label Big Hole River. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Hole River. Show all posts

Friday, August 17, 2012

Blackfoot, Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers road trip in mid-August

This was a road trip for a number of days fishing the Blackfoot, Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers in mid-August. All river fished well, but the Big Hole was low making it mostly a wade-fishing opportunity...get out early and off early in the heat and low water times.



Sunday, August 5, 2012

Early August on the Big Hole with Ralph and Steve

They wanted to fish the Big Hole. Jack was concerned as the summer was getting pretty hot and flows were dropping but as it turned out, there was plenty of water and by getting on the river early, the fishing was very good. See some of the trout they caught in the photos below. The beauty of the Big Hole is hard to beat.





Sunday, February 26, 2012

MONTANA SNOTEL Snow Water Equivalent Update 2.26.12

Finally after a pretty dry winter, we are getting more snow. Most of Montana was below 100% snow water equivalent, but that has changed and is forecasted to improve. A wet weather pattern is expected for early March. That is GREAT news for our rivers.Click the image for a larger view.


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Riverside Cottage vacation rental on East Fork of the Bitterroot River

Wapiti Waters recommends this cottage for a couple or a couple of guys that are interested in fishing the upper Bitterroot River and even the Big Hole River in Montana. It is affordable, clean, private and quiet. There are year-round activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, canoe, cross country and downhill skiing. Lost Trail Powder Mountain and Chief Joseph Pass cross country ski trails are about 40 miles south. Painted Rocks Reservoir and Trapper Peak are 22 miles southwest on West Fork road.

This bright and cheery spacious river cottage sits just 50' from the river's edge. Come and enjoy the luxury of your own fishing hole and relax in the private treed setting.



It is a one bedroom home and is newly renovated and completely outfitted for your comfort. A comfortable futon couch can be used as an extra double bed, sleeping a total of four people. The covered porch facing the river provides a great outdoor living space. Its location in the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley makes this home a recreationalist's dream.

The cottage is managed by Amy Sage of SweetSage Vacation Rental. You can reach her at (406) 642-6400 or sweetsage@bitterroot.com.

$115/night. WINTER $550/week SUMMER $700/week

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Geoff on the Big Hole River in mid-August

Geoff Fitzgerald fished the Big Hole in mid-August for a few days. He had a great trip and one reason was this year there was a lot of water. He ended up fishing mainly in the faster water. Geoff takes lots of pictures when out fishing. He photos are of anything unusual and occasionally of trout. He shared two photos from his August Big Hole River trip that illustrate both the unusual and trout.


Here are his descriptions of the photos:
"The brown in the pic was right below Jerry Creek Bridge and it was hookedon the first cast using a yellow marabou muddler.

The speckled egg on the algae mat was incredible, yet a little tragic; absolutely untouched and unbroken - must've rolled out of a nest near the bank (meadowlark nest perhaps) or on gravel bar (in that case possibly spotted sandpiper or killdeer)."

Anyone have any firm ideas of the species of bird egg?

Geoff, thanks for sharing. We love getting other "points of view."

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Big Hole River in late August

These photos are from the Big Hole in August, but I just found out I can share them. So, here they are. Jack loves fishing the Big Hole and so do KJ and Tom. They drove over from near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and spent a few days with their family. They fished a couple of days with Jack, too.

See below for a slideshow of five photos.


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Shields on the Big Hole and the Blackfoot Rivers in August

Brown trout caught by Jim
Jim and Naomi fished with Jack a few weeks in July. Now these photos are from August when they came back to fish the Big Hole and the Blackfoot rivers. What is great about the Shields is that they have fun no matter what the weather or the fishing have to offer. But, as you can see here, they always catch really nice trout. I have to say either Naomi catches more trout, or Jim takes more photos...not sure which. Jack sure had a good time fishing with them.

See more photos in the slideshow below.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Big Hole River in late July

Scott Warren guided with Jack on the Big Hole River. The photos show this young woman with her first trout EVER. Pretty cool. And, she caught more fish that day including a brown trout.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

June 17 and 19 with fellow Trout Unlimited members from Michigan, the Miller's

Pam with her brown trout from the Big Hole River
Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited - Wapiti Waters donated a fly fishing trip for their annual auction this spring. John and Pam Miller got the trip and fished with Jack in mid-June. With high water in most of the state, Jack was able to fish them on the upper Big Hole River. They were troopers as the weather was still cool, but they caught trout!
John and Pam are avid outdoors people and Jack had a lot in common with them. He really enjoyed meeting and fishing with them. Thanks for supporting Trout Unlimited and for coming to Montana. We hope they return soon.

See more photos in the slideshow below.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Fly Fishing the Big Hole River with Richard Steed and his daughter, Polly

Polly and her brown trout
Another Father/Daughter team with Wapiti Waters. Take your kids fishing and you will enjoy showing them the beauty and excitement of the outdoors. Introduce them to an activity that you can all enjoy for a lifetime. Polly and Richard went to the Big Hole with Jack in late August and it turned into a stellar day for scenery and for fishing. The few photos were wonderful showing Polly with her large brown trout she caught early in the day, Richard's stout rainbow trout and the spectacular scenery. I think Polly snapped the landscape shots (thank you Polly!).
See the slideshow below for more photos

Friday, August 13, 2010

Montana Fly Fishing - Big Hole and Blackfoot Rivers with Naomi and Jim

Naomi and Jim have fished with Jack for quite a few years now. They bring their motor home which gives them flexibility to fish many rivers. This trip they fished the Big Hole for two days, took a day off, and then fished the Blackfoot for three days. They are fun to be with and passionate about fishing and the resources. Jack really enjoys fishing them. They also celebrated their anniversary on this trip.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Big Hole River with the Knick and Levert families

Jeff and his one of his two daughters
Fly fishing is definitely a family activity. Just be sure to have life jackets, sunscreen, hats, water and food for the kids. Be practical about the distance of the float and be safe. Jack's daughter and husband live near Billings. They like to meet Jack in the Big Hole and spend at least a couple of days fishing and camping. On this late July weekend, our longtime friend (and also fishing guide) was doing the same stretch with his family. One can never have to much fun!
The two Knick boys at the put-in on the Big Hole. Grandpa Jack is taking the photo.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Big Hole River with Irv Weissman

Irv and his brown trout
Jack and Irv
Irv has a home in the Bitterroot and comes up from CA often. This year Irv, his family and some friends have fished the Bitterroot a lot, the Big Hole some and at least one day so far on the Blackfoot.

Here are a couple of photos from the Big Hole River. They seem to be catching quite a few brown trout this July.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Big Hole River with Bob Ratcheson

Jack holding Bob's beautiful brown trout
Bob and Peggy have a home near the Bitterroot River but you have to fish other places, too. On this day, Bob and Jack ventured "over the hill" to the Big Hole. It paid off. Cooler temperatures, more water, lots of fish and spectacular scenery were some of the perks.
Closer view of Bob's brown trout

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Fly Fishing Montana - the Big Hole River in July with Peter Rein

Peter has been to Montana many times but we first met Peter in the late 1990's when he came to fish with his sister and her family. Peter finished school, began his career in Texas and we didn't see him for awhile. Now Peter lives in northern CA, his career is established and the lure and memories of fishing in Montana have brought him back. He has spent more time in Montana than many because he loves the outdoors and fishing. Peter had been to the Big Hole, but this was his first time float-fishing it. It was a great day.

We are fortunate to have Peter as a friend and as a client. He is smart, fun to be with, passionate about life, dogs and about fishing. Take a trip down the Big Hole River with Peter and with us through the photos in the slideshow below.



Monday, July 5, 2010

The Big Hole River in spring and early summer 2010

Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) from the Big Hole in June
Wapiti Waters spent a lot of time on the Big Hole River this spring and early summer. Jack began his guiding career in the early 1980's on the Big Hole with the Complete Fly Fisher. He loves the high valley and clear, beautiful Big Hole River. It is one of many rivers he fishes and he knows it well.

To learn more, visit our Big Hole River web page.

See a slideshow below for a few photos from this spring and early summer. Something you should know, if you fish the Big Hole River in June, bring potent and ample amounts of mosquito dope and cover yourself well with clothing. The mosquitoes are plentiful and BIG. But, the fishing and scenery is worth putting up with these pests.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Another late June day on the Big Hole River - Jim and son-in-law, John

John with a nice brown trout
Jim has fished with Wapiti Waters for years. This year he and his friends included family. This day, Jim and his son-in-law, John, drove to the Big Hole from Hamilton to fish with Jack. It was a brighter day and very successful. Seems like the Big Hole is magical this time of year. See the slideshow below for more photos.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Big Hole River in late June - a rainy day and good fishing

Jack and Mike
Mike and Jason
Mike and his son-in-law, Jason, fished the Big Hole River with Jack in late June. It was a bit of a drive from Hamilton, but well worth it. There is something about the Big Hole in June, beautiful and usually great fishing. That held true for this day.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Missouri River with Phil and Mike (iPhone picture)

The Bitterroot River was up due to run-off so they fished the Big Hole for a few days and then went over to the Missouri. It pays to be flexible. Beautiful scenery, great food in Wise River at the Wise River Club, nice lodging and food in Craig Montana and they caught fish. Not too many photos were taken but you get the idea.

Jack guided with the raft on the Big Hole and drift boat on the Missouri to optimize where they could catch fish. He hadn't seen Phil in quite a few years and has always enjoyed fishing and spending time with him. It was a pleasure to see him again and meet his good friend Mike (pictured to the left in a photo from Phil's iphone).

See a few more photos from Jack's camera in the slideshow below.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Family fly fishing on the Big Hole River, Montana

The weather finally warmed up and we got some rain in western Montana. This brought the Bitterroot River up but the Big Hole river, in its beautiful high elevation valley, was fishing.

Last weekend was a beautiful time for fly fishing and camping and the Knick family took advantage of it with Jack. See the slideshow for more photos.