For any of you Extravagant Ones that thought that fishing in Montana was "a long way off", think again: 45 days from tomorrow the magnificent men and women in Group A make their arrival on the scene and will officially open Extravaganza 2009! Yikes!!
To that (wonderful) end/beginning, I am pleased to report that, within the past hour, Kocktail Kathy, your Hostess With The Mostess, arrived at Extravaganza Headquarters with her trusty mascot Sir the Cocker, reporting that, 60+ mile-an-hour winds notwithstanding (that forced an extra overnight in Lima, MT--KK called me to say that she "was in Lima", to which I responded, "Sounds like you took a wrong southward turn!"--never heard of Lima, MT!), all 20 cases of yummy Elizabeth Spencer wine arrived safely with her and are now safely stowed in our garage wine cellar (along with an equal number of Rock Creek varietals), thereby guaranteeing that the thirst (of at least Group A, that is) will be sated upon your arrival(s).
On matters of fishing import, with us now literally within shouting distance of Opening Day, the runoff report and the water status of the rivers that we will be fishing (The Clark Fork of the Columbia River; The Bitterroot River; and The Big ("A River Runs Through It"--yes this IS the river featured in Norman Mclean's novel and Robert Redford's Brad Pitt movie!) now becomes of critical import. To that end, attached is an updated flow chart that confirms just what our Outfitter, John "The Great" Gould, told me on Monday:
UNLIKE in 2007 when there were record highs during the month of may and UNLIKE last year when there was 100-year-record snow masses but normal(ly) warm temperatures in May, this year May has come in like a winter lion, delivering cool temperatures and massive amounts of April snow atop "a normal snow pack" (for example, nearby Great Falls had more snow in April than any other April in weather-recorded history).
Check out the attached discharge chart to see the results: By way of comparison, this year's snow pack is the average of what 2007 and 2008's snow pack was, and see how much moisture is STILL in the upper mountains that needs to find its way downhill before we get to optimum fishing conditions--namely, tons. [This report is now posted daily on Der Blog for your viewing pleasure--a link to it is located right below last year's movie and just above the Blog Archive--rookies: put www.montanaextravaganza2009.blogspot.com on your favorites, as you will be checking this more and more as the intervening days become fewer and fewer!]
What does this mean for us?? Well, a look ahead at the Missoula area forecast [see weather button on Der Blog, rookies!] sees temperatures for the next 10 days with daytime highs in the 50's and 60's, and lows in the 30's [i.e., no real incentive for snow melt] and, thereafter, increasing to daytime highs in the 70's with nighttime lows in the 40's. As John The Great told me Monday, "It looks like we are looking at big water but nothing of the magnitude of last year." Fishingwise, at this early date, we are now fully focusing on the Bitterroot River (the first of the three rivers to clear up post-runoff) with, more than likely, runs up to the West Fork of that river (which fished well even in last year's legendary high waters).
Caveat Fisherman: If anyone tells you the want to make a firm bet on Montana weather, run the other way. As you veterans know, one of the glories of Montana is its fickle microclimates and weather, with the only accurate weather report being what just happened to you 15 minutes earlier! And, as far at the attached graph is concerned, come May 13th (i.e., next week), I will be much, much happier when the 2009 red line crosses over and exceeds the 2007 blue line!!
Regardless of where the lines may fall, fish we WILL, gang; I am just now lobbying for optimal fishing conditions!
Much, much more to come in the rapidly approaching Extravaganza days ahead!!
Best to all in observation of it all,
Rock Creek Ron
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