WY. MT. drought fishing

[G-stone]

I take a trip every year to Wyoming and Montana. Fish the Bighorn and some other rivers/springcreeks around the area and toward Yellowstone. This year I'm having second thoughts because that area is only getting about 25-50% of the normal snowpack. I will go in August and now I fear there will be no water to fish up there. In anyone's opinion, how serious will the drought have upon the fishing in later summer?

[powerbait]

Exhibit A as to why we need in-stream flow protections throughout the West. I can't speak as to precise effects, but you are right to be concerned. Some rivers in that neck of the woods will run dry this year. Although Montana does allow leasing for in-stream flows (Wyoming has little or no protections), most of the existing leases are on smaller headwater streams, so you aren't likely to see a big difference on the mainstem. I'd check with locals once your trip gets closer--not all streams will be affected the same way by the poor snowpack--but this may be a good year to choose a different destination. Even if there's water in your creek or river of choice come mid-August, low water (and high temps) leave fish much more vulnerable to stress, and it's generally a good idea to leave them alone.

[Stoney Clarke]

G-Stone,

I posed the same question on the VFS Rocky Mtn Board. Here is the link.
http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=315918

[huck_the_meat]

Here in Bozeman, and throughout western montana, we have had some pretty wet and snowy days over the past 3 weeks. Our snowpack is better now than it has been all year. Snowpack is still below normal, but not nearly as bad as it was fortunately!
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[paramonkey]

I just got back from the Big Hole, and in that area of the State water levels look good for the year. (depending on who you ask)
If you are thinking of going up you should try some other areas in the State. I fished the Big Hole and did really well. The Salmon Fly's are showing up(Glen to Divide I saw them) and the Streamer fishing is awsome. There is also good midge fishing right now.
When the Beaverhead fully opens they should be releasing a good flow for once and the locals are excited for it. I stopped at the river below the dam at Clark Canyon and the fish are stacked but its closed to fishing until May. Pipeorgan down is open.
Most Snowpacks in that area are over 100%
Look for some good fishing in the coming weeks up there.
Cheers.

[salmonfly]

i dont know which montana you went to, but montana is in trouble again this year. snowpack in the big hole and beaver head drainage is no where near 100%. it'll be the same this year as the last 6, fish montana before august, cause the water runs out. for the past several years most "important" rivers up there have been a voluntary fishing thing starting in august usually. they arent going to make you not fish, they just ask you not to. the flows have been so bad its not healthy for the fish to be dragged through the water. i did fish rock creek this past weekend, it fished great. never tied on a nymph all day.

[Stoney Clarke]

Monkeyboy,

This is a link that Jim M. provided in another post. WY MT, ID and North CO are all way below normal, even the Green in UT will be below normal with the inflows from WY. If we get a hot summer as we did a few years ago those MT river could be unfishable because of low flows and high water temps. UT was fortunate to have a normal winter last year which brought the water table up. Our northern states could have what little snowpack there is sucked into soil instead of the rivers.

SC

[paramonkey]

I don't want to send any wrong messages about the water in Montana.
I stopped at one of the outfitters in Dillon and after I said it did not look good in terms of water again. They went on to say how the drainages in the area are over 100% and that they will be seeing a normal release from the Dam and the best runoff they have seen for years.
Maybe they are saying it to not scare the people away.
I personally think they are hating it and would only believe what the water experts predict.
I have been fishing up on the Big hole for 11 years now and i agree with what Salmonfly said about the situation and problems with the rivers even after July,Its sad.
Sculpin Steamers were the ticket for me on the Bighole the other day.
Hogzilla and Slabasaurus were all over it.
Cheers.

[powerbait]

They went on to say how the drainages in the area are over 100% and that they will be seeing a normal release from the Dam and the best runoff they have seen for years.
Maybe they are saying it to not scare the people away.

You hit the nail on the head right there. They have an econonomic incentive to talk it up, but it's spittin' into the wind, near as I can tell. The TU buzz is "fish Montana early or not at all."