By Jason Elkins

As many of you know, Montana as well as the far Western States have been experiencing drought conditions for several years now. In the Livingston area we have been luckier than most. Last year when our snowpack was quite low, we received good rains in May and June and ended up with a nice green year throughout the summer with good fishing right through into the fall. According to the snowpack reports for this winter, most of Montana is below average again for snowpack. Here in the Yellowstone river drainage it is looking like our snowpack numbers will be 70% of average and 80% of last year. Many people are wondering what this all means to the fishing prospects for the upcoming summer. Generally, we experience good fishing in these low water years despite the drought conditions. Luckily, here in Livingston we are high enough on the Yellowstone river system to avoid low flow levels and high water temperatures that occur on the river closer to Billings. Much irrigation water is pulled out of the Yellowstone well downstream from Livingston and even though streams like the Shields, Boulder and Stillwater enter the Yellowstone on its way to Billings the late season flow is drastically diminished as you get closer to Billings. In terms of our overall summer fishing conditions, as we have seen from last year, a lot depends on both the snow we get in March and April as well as the rains we get in May and June. Hopefully we'll have another great fishing year, but we need to think about the good possibility that the lower snowpack will mean a reduced runoff, shifting the hatches like the caddis and stoneflies (salmonflies) earlier. The best way to keep yourself informed on this is to check our fishing reports. We'll try to keep you informed on the long term outlook as well as the current conditions.

A low water year this year may have an effect on the fishing in August and September, but not necessarily in a negative way. A lot of this depends on water temperatures. If it does get really hot, we'll shift gears by planning more fishing early in the day, even at the crack of dawn, when we almost always have some great streamer fishing. Warmer summers almost always mean that we'll have some good hopper fishing, and the afternoon hopper fishing can be outstanding as long as water temps don't get too hot. Lower water levels will not likely keep visiting anglers from being able to get out and enjoy the area's waters. The Yellowstone River, for example, is better suited to low water years than many of Montana's other well known rivers. It usually runs cooler throughout the summer than the Madison or the Missouri due to the undamned nature of the Yellowstone. As many of you know, the Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the US, and this keeps it from being impacted as severely by those competing for the water resources. Simply put, they can't cut off the river's flows to save water for the irrigators, especially on the upper 100 miles of river we fish directly below Yellowstone National Park. The free flowing nature of the Yellowstone assures a constant, uninterupted flow of cool water coming out of the canyons of Yellowstone National Park.

If you have been to Montana in the last few years, you have likely already experienced what we are expecting again this year. Although we can use more moisture in the coming months, we are confident that there will continue to be good fishing opportunities for visiting anglers and local fisherman alike.

Sometimes concern over streamflows and snowpack reaches the point of hysteria and the rumors start running rampant. Last summer, we had pretty good fishing throughout the summer, despite the overall drought. Those spring rains helped a lot. However, we noticed a decline in the number of anglers as a result of concerns about the moisture situation in Montana. The rivers were uncrowded and the fishing was great. Last year produced some of the best hopper fishing that we have seen in the last decade. If you've ever experienced this kind of red-hot hopper fishing, you know what we mean. Big fish move from deeper water into the shallow riffles where wind blows the hoppers out of the hayfields making them easy pickings for big rainbows and browns. At this time our guides float a lot of water to the East of Livingston with good success.

Lately, we are seeing encouraging signs of a change in the warmer weather pattern we had earlier this winter. Much cooler weather this past two weeks has added to the mountain snowpack. It snowed almost every day last week, with some good dumps in the high country. In fact, Bridger Bowl Ski Area, in the nearby Bridger Mountains, reported over 50 inches of new snow in this last week alone. The Beartooths got a lot of new snow also, as did the mountains of Yellowstone Park. Red Lodge Ski area reported at least 40 inches of new snow as well.

If you are planning to make a trip to Montana this year and haven't yet booked your trip, here's a reminder to give us a call. The very best Guides and Outfitters that we work with get their schedules booked solid for prime time in the summer pretty quickly, so if you enjoy fishing with these fellows, be sure to e-mail us soon. We'll be happy to help you book the best guides, make reservations for you on the spring creeks or other private water, and we'll also be happy to help you by arranging reservations for your accommodations while you are here in the Livingston area. We want to help you plan the best Montana Fly Fishing trip ever!

By Jim Brungardt

When you see the new line of Simms luggage you'll agree, they hit a homerun with this one.  There are about a dozen new pieces in the line from huge duffels on wheels to small waterproof pouches and bags to protect cameras and cell phones.  I think the whole line has been well thought out but there are a few pieces that really stand out. 

The HARD BOTTOM ROLLER

This piece of luggage has been built to stand up to even the biggest and meanest luggage handlers.  From top to bottom this thing is a bomb proof.  To start the bottom is made of ABS hard plastic and the exterior made from ballistic nylon pack-cloth.  There's room for several multi-piece rods, all your reels and other fishing tackle and still room for all the clothes you'll need for a two week trip.  A sturdy retractable handle and oversized roller wheels make this bag easy to maneuver in busy airports.  My favorite feature is that the bag zips open allowing both halves to lay flat, no more digging thru all your stuff to find that one thing at the bottom of the bag.  $299.95

By Jason Elkins

We recently received a private collection of bamboo rods. These rods are going very fast so if you are interested, act quick.

The selection included some fine Howell's, Payne, Winston and Leonard rods. We also have some other fine rods available. Whether you are a collector or just someone who dreams about having a fine "cane" rod, visit our Deep Deals page to see what we have. Also, if you are interested in selling high quality cane rods on consignment, or have a friend who might be, we have had very good success lately in selling premium quality bamboo rods.

The Deep Deals page is a great place to keep an eye on. This is the part of our site we use to sell our clearance items as well as our everchanging selection of well cared for consignement items. We usually update the page every couple weeks, so you may want to bookmark it and check in periodically.

with James Anderson December 2-13, 2005

with George Anderson January 5-17, 2006

December is a wonderful time to escape the harsh wind and cold of the oncoming Montana winter.  The perfect time to head south - way south!  An overnight, ten-hour fight from Atlanta flip flops the seasons, turning winter into early summer as we land in Buenos Aires.

After a day in Buenos Aires to catch up on sleep and visit a charming city, our group will fly to Bariloche, the start of our angling journey through the Andes.  We will head south on an awe inspiring drive along the backbone of the Andes to Cholila, where we will stay at the comfortable El Trebol lodge.   In the next eight days we will see and experience some of the best trout fishing central Patagonia has to offer.  We'll start out fishing the beautiful River Rividavia, then a camp-out float trip for three days and two nights on the River Chubut, where, in the past, we have caught more nice rainbows than we thought possible in a day.  Then it will be on to the Gualjaina valley and some great spring creek fishing while staying in a new angler's cottage on the expansive La Elvira Estancia.   To cap off our trip we'll drive another four hours south to the Rio Pico region to fish some lakes for huge rainbows and the Rio Pico river and spring creek for a crack at more big browns and rainbows.  It will be a trip to remember.

By George Anderson

Many anglers will remember Agnes as the kind matriarch of the O'Hair ranch and Armstrong's Spring Creek.  Agnes was the daughter of Paul and Myrta Armstrong, the namesakes of Armstong's Spring Creek.  In 1936 she married Allyn O'Hair at the Armstong's family ranch.  Allyn and Agnes started welcoming fisherman onto the "O'Hair" ranch to fish Armstrong's Spring Creek in the early 1970's.  She was survived by a large family, including her husband Allyn.

Here it is, the Yellowstone Angler's first photo contest. This contest is not for wimps and it is definitely not scientific. Send us your best shot and we will compare it with everyone else's to choose a winner.

"What is the prize?", you may ask. The respect and admiration of your peers when we feature your winning photo with a short story behind the shot on our next newsletter! If there is no story, make one up, or we will!

Please be sure to include your full name and phone number with your submission. If you would prefer, you can send us your photo via snail mail.

Keep and eye out for our early summer newsletter where we will feature the winning shot.

P.S. if you don't win, that's okay, we won't stop talking to you. Plus we might post your shot somewhere else on our website.