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.

Click here to view all photos in a new window

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.

Click here to view all the photos in a new window

It snowed today.

Click on the photo for a larger view in a new window - it is worth it.

We woke up to snow today. We were hoping for cooler weather to keep the snow in the mountains but this is a bit much. Like Jack said, "It isn't going to flood in April this year." The cool weather this spring will help the snow melt in an orderly fashion, if it warms up enough to actually melt!

Today we took a hike when it was the warmest, about 47 degrees. At the beginning of our hike, we saw a herd of elk. What a nice start. Then we hiked into a bit of a snow flurry.

Billy Burk is coming to Montana in June

I am a bit behind on blogging some photos sent in by friends. Here are two photos from Billy Burk of Pueblo, CO. He is coming up to fish with his (and our) friend, Jeff, in June. They are thinking they will fish on the Big Hole.

Billy's message:
Attached are photos of a recent catch, close to home, on the Arkansas River, and Walter the Wapiti; finally mounted on the wall in our living room. He was harvested from Jeff's Dad's ranch in western Colorado last October. Take care and God Bless..............Billy Burk

Billy Burk from Pueblo West, CO

Billy Burk comes up to fish with his friend and our neighbor, Jeff Rogers. We hope he comes back soon. He is a ton of fun, always a happy face. Here is a note from Billy about this photo.

Hey Merle and jack! Just a note to wish you well. Hope you are happy and content this holiday season. Sorry I didn't make it up there this year, next year I will make a concerted effort to show up and fish circles around Jeff!
Attached is a photo of a nice Cutbow I landed Saturday on the Arkansas River, close to my home. Tight lines!..
.Billy

Billy just sent me another one! I love it that it includes his son, Ryan!

note from Billy: Hey Merle, I will include one more photo with this e-mail, then I had better leave room for someone else! This is a pic. of my son Ryan, and I, at the end of a successful pheasant and quail hunt in Kansas. Our Vizsla's, Shy and Yoshi, love it as much as we do! Those deep sea fishing photos were from my trip with the Rogers' to Mexico in August. Thanks for a great website and blogger!!!! .Billy

2008 Hunting season, warm weather makes for nice walking but difficult stalking

Above is a photo of an elk herd (actually only part of the herd) that hangs on private land during hunting season. They are so much fun to watch as they move from field to field just on the edge of timber and Forest Service land.

We are still hunting for my whitetail doe and/or buck and of course for the elusive elk. It is fun, but we would love for it snow so their behavior was a bit more predictable and we could see tracks. It is our privilege to hunt in these beautiful mountains and be able to experience the wonderful sights and sounds as the sun rises and the day begins.

Here is a slide show of a few of our hunting photos. We did an eastern Montana antelope hunt in October. Jack went back in November and bagged a 4x4 whitetail buck. He didn't get any photos on that trip. It was rainy and mucky.

View Album

Get your own

If you click "View Album", then "View Slide Show" and slow the photos down to 5 or 6 seconds - it should show in full screen mode.

Elk on ridge near Sweathouse Creek Canyon

Wapiti is a Native American word for elk. We love elk and that is why we called the fishing business Wapiti Waters.

Because I work in our home office, I couldn't go fishing today. But, I did take my usual fitness break and go hiking. Sweathouse Creek is very near our Chickadee Lane home (5 miles west of Victor, MT). I am lucky because there is access to many ridges with elk, deer, moose, turkeys, and lots of beautiful flora as well. Today I had the priviledge of seeing a small herd of elk, mostly cows with calves. My trusty chesapeake female saw them at her favorite watering hole and came running back to me. Just before she did, a cow that was bedded down caught my eye because she "twitched" her ears....here is a photo. Click on it to open it full screen.

Click the title above to see more. I had a little difficulty focusing while containing my dog and trying to stay calm myself. I hope you enjoy them. Get out, get fit and get to know your resident wildlife!

My faithful companion, Bela (the chesapeake) enjoying herself at the end of our hot hike!