Doc Bolton on the Bitterroot in early October

Doc came a little later this fall than usual. He was waiting for the fire smoke to clear. Probably a good strategy. The sky cleared up, temperatures cooled and fishing was good. Great to see both Doc and Liz! Hope they both come back up in the spring.

Jerry on the Bitterroot in September catching pike and trout

September 23, Jerry and Jack fished the lower Bitterroot. They caught trout but the only photo Jack got was this one of Jerry with a pike he caught. It was a good day of fishing but any day they take pike out of the Bitterroot is a great day.

Sorry Jerry for the late post, I am catching up on some of the photos I missed posting. This is a great one of you and that nasty pike. Merle

Danny Sewczak fishing the Bitterroot in early September

This fishing trip was a birthday gift from his wife Heather. What a great thing to do for someone you love. Thanks Heather and Danny! Looks like it was a success. It actually happened in early September but I am keeping the post date of today Oct 29 to keep the post on top. Posted by Merle

October photo journal on the Bitterroot River

Take a trip down the Bitterroot River on this beautiful fall day. See the slideshow below.

Geoff and Jack on the Bitterroot the last day of September

Jack has wanted to fish with Geoff (past Pres of Bitter Root Trout Unlimited) for years. Finally, they floated and fished the lower Bitterroot. Great day, fun conversation and the fishing was good, too.

Just a closer view of Geoff and the trout.

4 x4, pike and trout, Jeff and Jack on the Bitterroot in Sept.

OK, I am WAY behind but Jeff asked me to get these up on the blog. Jeff Rogers and Jack are getting pretty darn adept at hooking and boating pike. They almost always have great trout fishing, but on this day, they caught lots of each. Yes, by the end of the float, they were both worn-out. Here you go Jeff, brag it up. Click on the photos to view them in full screen.

Later in September, less smoke, more pike and brown trout

Fish photos, the best way to say it.

Less smoke, better fishing in mid-September on the Bitterroot

Nice day of fishing on Sept 19. 

Nice trout for Mrs. Thomas in Sept

Still catching up on posts. Here is one from mid-September.

Mid-September on the Bitterroot with Paul

Still some smoke in mid-September but the fishing is holding in there. Paul and Jack had a very good day on the middle Bitterroot.

Fishing the Bitterroot and more with the Shields

I am leaving the post date for today (mid-Sept) but these photos were from trips in early July. There was a lot of water still - these are before the fires hit us in western Montana. The Shields are from Washington State and come here in their comfortable motor home to fish lots of days with Jack. He just loves spending time and creating adventures with them. Naomi sent me two discs with photos and videos. I am posting the photos now, but will try to work with the videos soon, too. They are pretty fun, except when she spent a while taping Jack as he chopped a downed green willow from their path (lol).

So, here are the photos. Hope you enjoy.

Less smoke from fires, more fish for Jack and Jeff

Jack and Jeff fished the lower Bitterroot and found lots of trout and lots of pike. Jack caught the one pike, but Jeff caught five. They are doing their part in getting the pike out of the Bitterroot and getting in some trout fishing, too. Tricos are the name of the game on this stretch in early September.

Pike and trout fishing on the Bitterroot River in early September

Hickman with a nice trout

Jack with a smaller pike

Jack with a big pike and Freda, our Chessie, is looking on.

a sharper photo of John's trout.

Jeff on the Bitterroot in late August

Jeff fished with Jack the last week of August with his son. Sadly, no photos of Alex even though he caught fish. Next time - Jack and Jeff, get some photos of Alex, please!

Dr. Oldstone on the Bitterroot River in August

Scripps' scientist, Dr. Oldstone has fished with Jack for longer than I can remember. We love it when he comes from CA to visit his sister in Hamilton. Spending time with the Doc and having him relax and catch trout is always fun.

closer view of Doc and his Cutthroat trout

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.

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.