by Merle Ann Loman | Feb 16, 2009 | Big Hole, Bitterroot, i Spring, Missouri
In this post you will see what some of our rivers are like through various years in the month of May.
May is one of the most unpredictable months, but if the rivers are not too big, the fishing is fantastic and the weather is nice, not too hot, not too cold. 
Which rivers will be best this year in May? It depends on the snowpack and weather, stay tuned or give Jack at Wapiti Waters Fly Fishing Montana a call at 800-254-5311.
For more photos, see the slideshow below. Click View Album to see them in a new, larger window and choose the slideshow option.
by Merle Ann Loman | Jan 31, 2009 | Bitterroot, i Spring
I said I would blog a slideshow of photos from the month of April. Here it is. I slipped a photo from the Clark Fork River in as well. What a spectacular time to be on the river!
Click Bitterroot River in April to launch it in a larger view.
by Merle Ann Loman | Jan 12, 2009 | Bitterroot, Flies, i Spring
In the “Banana Belt” of western Montana, anglers not only have one of the longest fishing seasons in the state but also some of the finest dry-fly fishing at a time the fly fisherman needs it the most – in early spring. Flowing through the heart of the Bitterroot valley, the Bitterroot River has a hatch that has excited anglers for a couple of decades particularly after many articles have been published. Obviously, it is no longer a secret. I am talking about the
skwalla stonefly hatch. The hatch is actually one of the several important insects to emerge in a typical western Montana spring.
by Merle Ann Loman | Jan 11, 2009 | Bitterroot, i Spring
For those who are interested in spring fly fishing on the Bitterroot River in Montana, I am posting a series of slideshows for March, April and May.
This blog entry is for March since we begin our new year of boat fly fishing in this month. The earliest photo I have is on March 13. On any given day, you can have sun, snow, sleet, rain or a mixture of all of it. When you are floating, it is important to know the river and your boat – understanding the type of water and the distance between put-ins and take-outs. We always take a thermos of hot coffee (or cocoa) and/or soup along, and we dress in layers. It can be exhilarating to experience weather changes, the related hatches and trout feeding responses, so hold on to your hat! Remember in this season, if today is not great fishing, tomorrow probably will be. The message here is be patient and plan for at least a few days. It will be worth it.
Note: one of the photos of Jack is from the Clark Fork. We also fish the Blackfoot, Big Hole and Missouri, depending on the weather.
These photos are varied in quality. To view the slideshow in full screen mode, click View Album and choose “Slide Show.”
A future entry will show the river in April. Besides featuring fish, it will have more photos of scenes including wildlife and birds. The river bottom is a “happening place” in the spring.
by Merle Ann Loman | Jan 6, 2009 | Bitterroot, i Spring
Dusty Bernard has been coming to the Bitterroot for years. Some of the regulars are Don Young, Jim Shultz, Jim Ogle, Peter Zouvas, Gary Spradling, Dusty and his son Tim.
I am posting a slideshow of select photos through the years. We wish you all a Happy New Year. It would be great to see you in 2009.
To view in full screen, click on “View Album” then select “Slide Show.” You might need to slow it down a bit (+).
by Merle Ann Loman | Jan 3, 2009 | Bitterroot, iiii Winter/Snow
I am sharing photos of the Bitterroot valley, river and mountains in December. View the slide show or click on it to view the web album.
We had rain, then snow, then FREEZING COLD, then rain, more snow…a very unusual early winter. There is a lot of moisture, much beauty, and I need to mention the avalanche danger again. We will all be eager to get out to ski the backcountry. Please check the avalanche site for western Montana before you go. Be safe.
