The water is rising everyday. I’m not sure anyone knows why, it obviously isn’t the corps of engineers. Floating debris makes the dry fly fishing a little more difficult, especially when a dislodged piece of driftwood floats/crashes along over the fishy’s heads. Oh well… at least it will slow down the ultimate warm-up of the water, which happened way too fast last year. The summer seems to be working in reverse, we started June at 4,000 cfs and we ended it around 6,200 cfs. June is Over. The waters are rising everyday in July so far too. Eventually they will go down again, but I don’t know when. Even though the conditions are changing, there are still plenty of fish to be caught on dry flies.
I look forward all winter to seeing certain clients that fish with me every year. I just had some very special ones make their annual trip. Blink. Over. I can’t wait until next year. One of the very best things about guiding is the people you meet and the relationships you forge with them. Some people have the ability to make you feel good about yourself. They make you feel like being a fishing guide is an important job. (Not sure I agree all the time.) Those are the days that you are glad you do what it is you do, and are very grateful that you aren’t sitting behind a desk at the cube farm. Just like releasing a nice fish, you hope to see them again.
Do yourself a favor, grab a friend and go fishing. Summer time is in full swing, and it is short lived in Montana.