While many, if not most, of the streams in Montana are on the rise, the Missouri remains in the zone. Rain fell across the state Wednesday making matters worse for the freestones. West Yellowstone had snow. The Dearborn is at 250 cfs and slightly off color. At 3500 cfs, clear, and 45°, the Mo is on the verge of busting out.
Fishing reports are very good especially on baetis nymphs. If you're out there late enough, you'll see some heads rise to the surface. Don't forget midges or the flashy junk you've been throwing for awhile. It still works. Black leaches do too.
Weather is on your side for several days. Highs will be cool, almost fall like. Clouds will be thick. Perfect baetis weather. Most of the angling activity wraps around the weekend. Expect the river to start its season this week. More traffic is certain (with the freestone demise).
Riverflows - May 7
Attached is the monthly water supply outlook and projected reservoir and river operating plans as prepared in May 2008. With streamflows into Canyon Ferry remaining at only 63 percent of average during April and mountain snowpack conditions on May 1 at 118 percent of average, a conservative release will continue to be maintained until inflows begin to show a substantial increase. As we approach and enter the spring runoff season, releases to the Missouri River will be gradually increased to control the rate of storage refill. We hope the following information will be useful to you.
Tim H. Felchle
Reservoir and River Operations
Good to Know
Normally, spring runoff ends two weeks after the Snow Water Equivalent Gauge measures zero at the Lick Creek Snotel Site (south of Bozeman). The graph to the left indicates that, so far, spring runoff is coming late this year and that we will have more than normal. When and how the bulk of the flows will reach the river below Holter Dam is the million dollar question.
It's really nice to talk about water as opposed to the drought. Our trout are happy.
