Doc Bolton on the Bitterroot in April

cropped version so you can see the trout better

Beautiful day on the river

Doc is up again spending some time in his cabin on the river. He loves winding down, reading, exploring and of course fishing. And, he always get fish. Here he is with a nice trout on a day he fished with Jack.

Cool days fishing on the Bitterroot

Wearing wool and gloves, they still enjoyed the fishing

The last few days in the Bitterroot have been below 50 degrees. Cooler temperatures don't do much for the bugs or hatches but if you are hardy enough, you still hook some trout. Thank Jim, John, Gary and Ric. Hope it is warmer in California. Jack and Nick really enjoyed fishing with you all.

Fishing the Bitterroot - cold weather but good fishing

It was a cold day on the Bitterroot for this sturdy group from San Diego. A dark day makes for dark photos but that was a nice trout Don caught.  Day one of three days. More photos coming I hope.

Jack is holding Don's trout before they released it.

Bitterroot River

Bitterroot River mid-week, good fishing and pretty spring day

Jack and Jeff always do this stretch of the river in late March as an annual trip. This starts their fishing season off and helps them get caught up after a long winter. It was a nice day overall, except for someone doing some kind of control burn on the bank...but the company and the fishing were both good.

Jeff with a trout

trout, duh

Questionable air quality. Someone is burning a pile near the bank.

Fishing the Bitterroot - awesome day

One of the cutthroat I caught, yea!

The temperature was warmer as promised by the weather man. It got to 66 degrees, lovely afternoon with some wind sometimes, no wind sometimes..just enough to keep you tuned in to your casting skills. Bugs, yes. That is all I will say. The fish were rising, we had so much fun. John Hickman, Jack, me and our Chesapeake Bay Retriever Freda. Happy day!

Here are some photos - see the slideshow below.

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A couple of early spring days with Pam and Rick on the Bitterroot River

 Cool weather, but when you like to fish, you layer up and go for it. Not much wind and no rain so the fishing was actually pretty darn good. Thanks Pam and Rick for spending two great days with Wapiti Waters.

March31, I updated this with some photos that Pam and Rick sent us. Thanks for sharing.

Photo send in by Rick and Pam - beautiful trout!

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Fresh snow in the Bitterroot Mountains this morning

Taken west of Victor, Montana looking west at Totem Peaks and Bear Creek drainage. New snow means more water for the rivers this summer.

Mid-March update for Bitterroot River

Tucker Crossing on the middle Bitterroot, looking southeast at the Sapphire Mountains

This month has been good for the snowpack. The Bitterroot Mountains have been receiving and storing snow at the higher elevations. There have been some teaser warm days, but the current week (third full week of March) will be cooler in temperatures and more snow is in the forecast.

Sunday (3/18) Evening's First Alert Forecast: Slushy Snow Tonight for MISSOULA COUNTY
By Adam Painter Meteorologist

 NWCC - Montana MAP with SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) % of Normal 

Stream flow data in the middle Bitterroot River

Late Feb photos of middle Bitterroot River

Here are photos of the Bitterroot near Bell Crossing on February 26, 2012. The cubic feet per second (CFS) was about 570. Temperature was in the low 30 degree range. Beautiful day. We like to give the fish a break in the winter while they are struggling to survive the cold, low water but I do like to chronicle the river in photos. Interesting to look back from year to year and compare winter conditions with spring, summer, and fall fishing observations. We love our rivers and all that lives in and on them. It is exciting to watch them as they change through the seasons.
All the river photos are taken from Bell Crossing Bridge looking north.

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.

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.

Learn more about the cottage at SweetSage Vacation Rental - Riverside Cottage

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

Photos of upper Bitterroot River, Jan 27, 2012

Bitterroot River at Darby Bridge looking north. 252 CFS on Jan 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Bitterroot River at Darby Bridge looking south. 252 CFS on Jan 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Click on image to see larger view - works for the photos, too.

The river looks beautiful. Jack and I were driving home from a great day at Lost Trail Pass ski area. A few days ago the ski area got 8 inches of new snow. The skiing was wonderful. We wanted to see the upper river up close and personal so we drove in to the old bridge just east of Darby, Montana.