Fishing Reports

Mild weather for Montana is expected to continue.  High temperatures will reach the upper 30’s to low 40’s most of the week. We really haven't had a winter.

So, what’s it going to be like in a month, two months or this summer?

According to NOAA:

Sub-surface ocean temperatures are well below average in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific to a depth of 200 meters, favoring a continuation of La Nina conditions into the spring.  Forecasts from most climate models support this conclusion with SST anomalies predicted to gradually diminish throughout late winter and early spring.

The seasonal temperature outlook for FMA 2012 reflects typical late winter La Nina conditions and favors below average mean temperatures from portions of the Pacific Northwest eastward through Montana….

The seasonal precipitation outlook for FMA 2012 favors above-median amounts of precipitation for much of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.

Based on the predictions above, it’s still too early to predict river flows with certainty.  If the weather changes as predicted, we could see a wet spring and early summer.  Or, not.  It’s Montana where it’s foolish to bet on the weather.

River drainage systems snowpack statewide are below normal.  The Missouri Headwaters is at 80% of normal.  Our storage reservoirs are very close to normal for this time of year.  Without a change in the weather, you should see lower, more manageable, flows this year.  Time will tell.

For now,  there are a few people on the river especially the weekends.  It’s certainly not crowded, but there are more than a few vehicles at the boat ramps.  Anglers seem to be heading downstream  into the canyon.  Reports on streamers are quite good.  Nymphing was slower, but still dredged up a few nice fish.

Spring is only 1-1/2 months away.

While the river winds slowly and the fish are reluctant to move in the cold water, you'll find it difficult to match the pace.  The first part of the week will be like it has been - very windy. 

NOAA Forecast

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 25 and 29 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

True to Montana form - at 10:20 AM, it's calm and cloudy in Craig.  How long will it last.  You'll have to wait until next weekend for football......

Midges, pink sow bugs and scuds and streamers will hold the day.  Think deep and slow.

Nationally, it's supposed to be 6 to 10 degrees above normal for the next week.  Montana is following the pack.  We'll see high temperatures in the upper 30's to low 40's all week.  Our brief dose of winter's reality is over.  The river has once again opened up to anglers. While still cold at 34°,at least there aren't any icebergs floating on by.

Think slow.  Anything pink will likely produce results.  There are no crowds.

Did you blink?  The weather has changed........

Tonight: Snow. Low around -15. Wind chill values as low as -34. Northeast wind at 9 mph becoming south southwest. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday: Snow. High near 0. Wind chill values as low as -15. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 0. East northeast wind between 3 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as -6. Light wind becoming south between 12 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Blink again......  The Walleye Hawges will be out in force.

Saturday: A chance of rain. Snow level 4300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

Think Spring because it's winter now.  Currently -10°

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

It looks like it is going to (even the walleye hawgs will probably stay home):

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Breezy, with a west southwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Sunday: Scattered flurries before 11am, then snow likely. Areas of freezing fog before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 8 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as -5. Breezy, with a northwest wind 19 to 22 mph decreasing to between 11 and 14 mph. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Snow. Low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -11. North northeast wind between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

M.L.King Day: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 10. Wind chill values as low as -2. East wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -3. East northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday: Snow likely. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 7. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -5. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Wednesday: Snow. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 8.

Thursday: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.......