Hey families!
The Montana Road Trip hasn't just been surviving this Montana heat wave, we've been thriving in it! We arrived at Cottonwood Camp on the Bighorn River a few days ago. We've had a fun few days of fishing, exploring a new river. The triple digit temperatures from the heat wave have been an added challenge, but no better place to cool off than some of the coldest water in Montana. The Bighorn River is a cool 50-55 degrees, providing the perfect swimming holes after catching a few fish.
The river has pushed the group into learning some new skills. Because of the strong sun in eastern Montana, algae is able to grow very well in this river and the first full day on the river we discovered how much this can change the game. We explored a lower section of river, but found it was very difficult to get good drifts without getting algae on our flies. This motivated the group to learn the helicopter method of removing the algae by slapping the flies on the water. Luckily we were able to adjust our game plan accordingly and stay in the upper sections of the river to avoid the algae and hook some nice fish.
The PMDs (pale morning dunn - mayfly) have been starting to hatch on the river nicely and the fish are rising for them. A few have been caught on dries, but most fish have been stuck using nymphs. Using the boat to target riffles to get out and wade has been very successful and a great way to stay cool and catch fish during the heat.
The wildlife this trip has been pretty unbeatable. A bull moose sighting at a boat ramp a few days ago, turkey sightings on the river, osprey and cows during the day, a few beavers, and some owls in the evenings. One group even had a few pheasants fly over their boat! Not to mention the numerous Rocky Mountain pelicans on the river.
We have been having some good, long floats on the river. Sleeping in has let the other commercial guides flush out of the river in the morning, this keeps us from playing combat fishing and allows us to have the river to ourselves. It's been a great system! The fish return to where they want to feed and we have the river to ourselves floating into the evening before taking off and making a great dinner planned and cooked by the group. Last night's chicken caesar salad was a hit!
Being so far away from any large cities has made for some excellent star viewing at night. Most of the group has enjoyed sleeping outside next to their tents to enjoy the cool night breezes and gaze at the stars. The Milky Way galaxy is clearly visible to the naked eye here, something many people have never had the chance to witness before. Lots of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' as guys spot constellations and shooting stars.
Everybody is excited to get after it for one more day on the Bighorn before heading back west toward Livingston. There we plan to float and fish on the Yellowstone River, just outside of Yellowstone National Park in Paradise Valley. We're having a blast -- lots of laugh, new friendships, and great fishing.
Until next time,
The guides and the guys
