No summer isn’t here yet. I wish I was wading the Lower Clark on a warm summer’s evening picking off sippers as the sun fades into the late night caddis blitz. It’s still winter here and the Trade Show swing is in full effect. I am headed to Seattle this weekend to the Lynwood Fly Fishing Show. If you have a chance please stop by and say hello, I have lots of interesting things to say. I promise.
Bitterroot River Float Permit Instituted:
I received a letter from the State of Montana informing outfitters about a new permit instituted on the upper Bitterroot. They decided to limit use for both outfitters and the general public on the water from the town of Darby upstream to the Dam on the West Fork of the Bitterroot. The State is also not going to issue any new use permits, so if you have outfitted on this water during a specific timeframe then you can outfit there. I have a long historical use record on this section so I am eligible to get this permit. The creation of these new regulations was in response to a highly organized group of local anglers voicing a concern that these four river sections were being overused by outfitters and non-guided float anglers.
We don’t use this section much because I have never been a fan of the quality of fishing in this section other than under specific conditions. Under the right conditions it is an exceptional trip. No doubt it is a beautiful part of the world and cutthroat trout come willingly to the fly, but it can prove almost impossible to target trout over 20 inches when the conditions aren’t perfect. That isn’t an overall criticism of this fishery. Its just I consistently prefer other water in our area. It’s also very hard to get skunked in the upper Bitterroot. I prefer more risk and reward when I am on the water. That puts me in the minority. Over the years the amount of anglers that love this water has increased to the point that the State of Montana is attempting to diminish its use by anglers with this new permit system.
The response of restricting access by the State of Montana is not new. The Smith has long been highly regulated for both the public and commercial users. That river requires a lottery permit drawing for launch dates. The Beaverhead and Big hole has restrictions in place for non-resident anglers as well as guides. Rock Creek has open use for the public but long has been incredibly restricted for outfitted use. I own one of the Rock Creek permits and commercial use accounts for less that 5% of all use on that river. Also on Rock Creek all floating has to stop July 1st each year for anyone. In all these cases the desired effect of capping use is effectively achieved.
On Rock Creek and the Smith the permits were put in place due to the fragile ecological build of those drainages. These permits have achieved protection of the resource admirably. For everything else it is a response to some vocal angling group’s desire to have a certain type of angling experience. I used to think it was a drive for solitude, thus capping use would provide more of it. It is more complex than that, because solitude is everywhere. There are vast sections of Western Montana water each day in the summer that won’t see a fly or a human, especially for the wade angler. Can you get up late on a great weather Saturday morning and go to the most famous stretches with easy access and never see another angler – No. Can you get up late on Saturday morning, do a little map work, be careful about your shuttles and get all the solitude you want – Absolutely Yes.
It takes more effort now to get the same experience that was easy 20 years ago, but if you put in the work it is the same as it ever was. On some of our water it is better due to the massive investment by the State of Montana in rebuilding three of our main drainages. So it can’t be all about solitude, because that can be had constantly with fairly minimal effort.
I think it is about “Easy Solitude.” Floaters like easy boat ramps and straightforward water to read. Waders like short walks to productive runs. Me too if I can get it, but it seems like lines are forming at those places. What is funny is the sneakier stuff is getting less busy. It seems like traffic is congesting rather than seeing overall growth. Thus, the State of Montana has to play bouncer to keep order in the lines of yelling fans trying to get in.
In modern Montana fishing one has to give some thought and effort to your angling decisions. I like the challenge of moving parts in my fishing. It is extremely rewarding for me to walk out of the back of the line and skinny through a hole in the fence to sneak into great seat at the concert. Its worth more when you win that way.
There will be a little more easy solitude on the upper Bitterroot now with the new permit. The rest of the quiet water will still be there without a bouncer to determine who gets to the front of the line. You will find me there and I won’t need the government’s help to steer me in.
My Dad who is 78 years deep in living in Montana still can’t believe that anyone fishes without bait and doesn’t eat every fish caught. In his youth he was more worried about bag limits being enforced on his stringer than some strange permit system.
We all go fishing for different reasons. I seem to have developed stronger opinions of why I go as I become the older guide at the ramp.
I told you have so many interesting things to say. Stop by at the Lynwood Show and I can go on for quite a while on many topics of which I believe I know everything about. Religion and politics are my weak subjects though.
