River Wire Blog

Thank you for a wonderful 2010.  Here's to 2011. Sincerely, Your Friends at The Trout Shop

Signed by Master reel designer and fly fisherman Ted "Tibor" Juracsik, the elegant and efficient design of the Tibor Signature Series consists of very few parts. It features a completely ventilated spool and frame that keeps the reel cool during long smoking runs and provides a robust...

C&F DESIGN started in 1993 as part of Yonenoi Design which is an industrial design firm in Japan. Currently it operates sales, manufacturing, and export of C&F Design products, and the distribution of various fly tackle brands in Japan. C&F products are unique in form and...

You've been to Craig a thousand times and fished the river under all circumstances. But, there's still enough humblimg moments on the river where you are driven to find that missing piece to the puzzle.  You can't find it on the internet and your fly box doesn't seem to...

Fly fishing gear makes a great gift.  But, if you're only married to a fly fisherman not fly fishing, picking out the right gift can be a challenge.  Within The Trout Shop's store, we have over 2000 items to choose from.  And, each one of those items has a different...

There's still some fishing to be had on the river right now, but we really don't need 100,000 flies in inventory until next spring.  Save 30% on all of our trout flies.  Use them in South America and New Zealand or save them for next year on the Mo.  You need the right bullets if...

Peak dry fly and tourist season on the Missouri ends in late July.  By the second week in August, most of our Caddis and PMD's have burned off.  Terrestials take over the action.  Cruising the river in a drift boat provides you with the best chance at finding fish that want to...

We're convinced that you have to see how good the fishing is on the Missouri in both the spring and late fall.  Hearing the stories is one thing.  Making the stories is another. To many of us, the early and late seasons are the best times of the year.  The fish are hungry...

These specials are for you - custom built fishing packages for those who can't say no to a great Missouri River offer.  If your Missouri River fishing trips simply don't last long enough, we've got a deal for you. You won't become a River Rat, but you'll get to fish as much as they...

The Guide Series Nets are Wachter's strongest nets, each net is constructed of a 5-ply laminated bow which is steam bent. Each Guide Series net receives a six-step finish consisting of polymerized tung oil and UV- resistant marine grade polyurethane followed by a final polishing. Act...

On November 29, 2010 you can enjoy 20% savings on the fly tying vise or accessory of your choice.  Free shipping on all purchases over $50 domestically and $200 internationally.  No sales tax.  Upgrade to the vise you've always wanted. Act fast.  This sale only lasts...

We hope you enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving day with your family.  My how things changed around Great Falls this morning.  The shoppers were out in droves seeking one-time special offers from area merchants.  Now that the dust has settled, relax and shop for deals in a stress free...

Each year, we sell off our current fleet of rental boats to make room for next year's models.  Last year, we kept a few of our 2009 boats because we had high water in the spring.  Now's the time to purchase a lightly used boat at bargain rates.  All of our used boats have...

Each year, we sell our rental equipment to make room for next year's models.  We have a few drift boats remaining from 2009.  When we saw the high water coming our way in June, we decided to keep a few extra boats around.  Save some serious $$. Used Rods For Sale:  View...

Dear Jerry, As this issue of your bulletin is being written, Global Rescue is handling another medical emergency for a member of the hunting community. As more and more hunters and fishermen sign up for memberships, the number of evacuations we perform for those that face medical emergencies...

Currents of Belize Featuring Abner (Abbie) Marin & Lincoln Westby Currents of Belize from McJ Digital on Vimeo. Belize is exploding with new economic life as tourists flock to its coast. Yet as developers rush to keep up with demand, they're destroying the very thing that...

From the Great Falls Tribune After years of fierce debate, residents of Craig, a hamlet between Great Falls and Helena along the Missouri River that attracts flyfishermen from far and wide, passed a 3 percent resort tax in August. Pat Hunter, co-owner of Izaak's Restaurant, applauds the...

You won't be able to outrun this guy on wheels or hoofs. Undercover police in Craig.   Spotted at the Craig Bar.

A great victory for trout enthusiasts, the FWP Commission has voted to adopt a "No Limit" policy from Holter Dam to Cascade and a 20 per person limit (40 in possession) contrary to their original stance. Here's the story: PUBLIC COMMENTS: Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam: The only...

Help protect the world-class, multi-million dollar, wild trout fishery in the Missouri River. Tell Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission by September 6 that you support a regulation allowing no limit on walleye harvest in the river between Holter and Black Eagle Dams. Contact...

Dave Bloom's cast of characters.  River level - 16,000 cfs.  Dave loves the big water.  Today, we found out that the river will be dropping.  Most are tickled to death.  Dave wants it to stay in his realm................ Happy...

Some things never change.  When the sun sets, the Missouri River Canyon shows her charm. When the sun can't pass through the clouds, this is what you get - The Month of May All of this moisture led to this (all of these gates are open now): You can float the river, but you...

The Trout Shop wins the BBQ Cookoff.  Here's how: 1. Dedication to the cause - one evening before the event. 2. Good lighting. 3. A Master Chef with a Coors Light sense of humor. 4. A great photographer. 5. Lots of generous people donating time and money to a...

The Army Corps of Engineers has been directed by Congress to review the original project purposes established by the 1944 Flood Control Act. MRAPS is the first-ever review of the legislation that created the system of dams and reservoirs on the Missouri River and major tributaries. The study...

Montana's Calendar: January, February, March, April, March, June, July, August, September, November, October, December By 2PM last Thursday, this road became impassable.  Twenty inches of legitimate moisture hit the ground.  At the top of the hill, 10 foot drifts were...

Good News! BNSF Railway is removing about a third of the rail cars that have scarred the landscape from Great Falls to the Wolf Creek Canyon for the past three years. The cars have been sitting idle within plain view of what is certainly one of the most scenic stretches of Interstate...

By Pete McDonald I asked Dr. Aaron Adams a few questions about the state of bonefish, tarpon, and permit, particularly in Florida after this brutal winter. I also asked him about the mission of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. Here’s what he had to say. FJ: Could you kind of summarize...

There is life in Craig.  Joe's Bar was almost busy Friday night.  The usual cast of characters held down the fort. The Craig Boat Ramp parking lot held several rigs with trailers Saturday. Joe's will be busy a little earlier tonight as most anglers were driven off...

Bloggers Note: The water found at the local businesses is safe and is tested regularly.  Homeowners do not have to have their water tested, but they should.   Read the article below and scratch your head while you're doing it.  To be clear, the businesses in Craig undergo...

At this time of year, every winter has been a "long winter".  By Montana standards, this winter has been mild.  We've had a few cold days and a few warm days.  Mostly, we've had a lot of inbetween.  Perhaps that's about to change.  High temperatures will reach...

From: Gents: FYI. We’ll see the river drop about 400 cfs for a month. The water supply looks bleak above Canyon Ferry at this point and BOR doesn’t want to spill water. Grant and Brad (his new fish tech) will try to get an idea of any dewatered brown trout redds to see if we will...

From The Great Falls Tribune 2/11/2010 By Bill Schneider Editor's Note: Few anglers know how a handful of dedicated government officials and conservationists saved the incredible tailwaters trout fishery of the Upper Missouri River below Holter Dam. Along the way, they essentially stopped...

Source: Pete Frezza, Research Manager - Everglades Audobon Society Pete reported the fish impacted are 60% snook, 30% tarpon and 10% misc. such as jewfish, lookdown, and mullet.  Location: Near Flamingo, Florida. (Southwest tip of Florida)

From the Miami Herald Cold inflicted major toll on fish in Florida.  A deep freeze in the shallow waters of Florida Bay and Everglades took a heavy toll on snook and other native fish. BY CURTIS MORGAN cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com Everywhere he steered his skiff last week, Pete Frezza saw...

Craig Water & Sewer District Board of Director Special Meeting Monday, January 11, 2010 Call to order: 7:05 pm Board members present: Chris Goodman, Rod Boboth, Mike Taylor, Sue McCormick, Kristi Blazer Lewis & Clark County Representatives present: Paul Stahl, Carrie Severson Old...

  Craig Water & Sewer District Board of Directors Special Meeting Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Craig School Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm, Tuesday December 22, 2009 Board members present: Rod Boboth, Chris Goodman, Kristi Blazer, Sue McCormick & Mike Taylor on conference...

During a private "fly-in" fishing excursion in the Alaskan wilderness, the chartered pilot and fishermen left a cooler and bait in the plane. And a bear smelled it. This is what he did to the plane.The pilot used his radio and had another pilot bring him 2 new tires, 3 cases of duct tape,...