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.
Jeff and Reed had a fishing agenda in late April and it included fishing the Missouri River with Jack. It was pretty darn cold that day but they were up to the challenge. Fish were caught but the camera was mostly kept in the bag. Rowing was the priority to help keep the boat headed downriver in the wind.
Air temperatures were in the 70 degree range beginning about April 20.
These photos were taken April 24. Look at the graphs and you can see how
the rivers have been rising. The last two days the Bitterroot Valley
air temperatures have been over 80 degrees. These photos were taken when
Bell Crossing flows were at about 4,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) - 2
pm. Right now it is 6:30 pm and the flows at Bell Crossing are at 5,480
cfs. That is a big jump. The gauge downriver (north) near Missoula
measured 8,190 cfs at 8:45 am and now at 6:30 pm it is measuring 9,280
cfs - closing in on 10,000 cfs!!!
The snowpack in the Bitterroot River Basin earlier this month was over 100%. Today it is 89%.
The photos are all taken from Bell Crossing starting upriver looking
southwest and rotating counter-clockwise to the east, then south,
finally southwest into the parking lot. As I was there, a LOT of large
woody debris was moving down the river.
We have had a number of boats out during these first few weeks but are waiting for some of the photos to come in. Some days fished very well, some not as well. Skwalas were out some days, Mayflies on other days...you just have to get out and give it a go. Every day is a little different due to temperatures, weather, and flow levels (all interrelated). Here are a few teaser photos taken today.
Rachel has been fishing with Wapiti Waters since she was a little girl. We love it when she and her family are at their Bitterroot home. It is great to see them and share time on the river with them all. Thanks Rachel.
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.
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.
