The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

There was talk of this at one time, but it didn't grow legs and walk. Now's the time for me.

I have a drift trip that's paid for on the Big Hole, 3 fishing friends with homes in Montana (one right outside the park), and the prospect of starting my own business this summer (after which my wings would be clipped for a while). So I'm going to put something together for myself, as a last hurrah before potentially becoming an entrepreneur.

I'm thinking 3 weeks in July. Several days encampment in Twin Bridges, another several in Chico Hot Springs/Livingston/the Park, and another several out of Great Falls. I've done the research to combine the cheapest lodging with the toniest creature comforts (ie $60 rooms deep in trout country, within walking distance of a good wine list).

I can post my agenda and interested folks can book their own, in the same digs I'm in. And maybe we'll end up with a party. But we'd better get started, because the joints I'm interested in, fill up fast.

Anyone?

Keep me in on the loop on this. It has been too long since I went to Montana, and I have always wanted to go back to the Big Hole. I can probably swing a week or so in July and join you for part of the time.

Dawn

Very possible.

Very possible.

Don't want to rain on your parade but the Big Hole will likely be closed in July. It has happened almost every year we have been in Montana in July for the last 5 years. In fact this past year almost every river you mentioned was closed by mid July because of dewatering and heat. If there is a huge snow pack this year that may change so keep an eye on that. The best plan would be to plan on rivers that rarely close because they are fed by dams with cold water then change them if things are looking up for the named rivers.

Should I go earlier, as well? I hate to push it to later, although going "after the crowds are gone" (Sept?) sounds great, I want to get'er done before I take a personal plunge that may have me locked down, locally...

I mention the Hole, since that's where the fly shop I'm booked with, is (Melrose). I would doubt that they wouldn't visit other places, since just relying on the Big Hole, would mean they'd close, the rest of the summer...

Are there plenty of places to reach, from out of Twin Bridges, Chico, and well...my friend's place in Silver Gate and another in Lewistown, are both on water...

?

Prime time on the Big Hole is June during the SalmonFly hatch but it gets pretty crowded. The shop probably has other spring creeks it can take you to. I think this year the Big Hole opened back up in September when the weather started to cool. It was still open very early in July. It really depends on the heat and snow pack. It gets pretty dewatered in the summer. This summer it started with a noon to sundown closure and then went to 24 hours mandetory closure. Even the Clark Fork and parts of the Yellowstone were under restrictions this year. It was just a bad year with little snow pack. There are a number of rivers fed by dams that should be in good shape because they remain pretty cool even during the summer. Let's just hope for a heavy snow year and things will look up.

Let me know more about this. Of course I would take the teardrop since the girls have to come. I might be able to do a week.

Loretta

Well, this is how the itin is shaping up:

July
6 & 7 drive
8-10 Twin Bridges
11-13 Silver Gate
14-15 Chico Hot Springs
16-17 Livingston
18-21 Lewistown

The Silver Gate and Lewistown stops are at friends' homes. Twin Bridges would be at the Stonefly Lodge. Chico, at the resort. And Livingston, somewhere downtown.