Clients often call the shop in late winter from various states inquiring about booking a Spring river trip in Big Sky country.They frequently ask what they should expect the weather to be like that early in the season.When John is asked that question, he has been know to say that his “crystal ball is broken”. The fact is, you can expect just about any kind of weather at that time, often all in the same day. During the winter months, those of us that live here among the snow covered peaks and love to fish, tend to ignore the unexpected weather changes for a chance, any chance,to get out on the water. Sometimes just for the hour or two that promise to be the most productive. But the anticipation of Springtime, and trout rising to the first hatches is ever on our minds.The first warm(ish) days elevate our hopes and excitement of finding warming waters and larger fish anxious to fill their bellies. The cars are packed, and rods are rigged as we set out to find just such a day…but it is March in Montana, and we are fisherman…so what do we know? The recent roller coaster temperatures and an upcoming day off got the best of me this last week. The forecaster was calling for temperatures in the mid- fifties, so the typical cold morning air that met me at the door was ignored…fisherman remember…I.Q. about the same as the Fahrenheit temperature.
Hi -Ho, Hi-Ho…you know the rest of it. About half an hour into the trip it began to snow and within a few more miles the roads were beginning to turn white, so I wisely slowed down… a little. The road climbed in elevation and wth it deeper snow on the road…*$!$*!! Fish fever or not, some brain cells were working , so I slowed the truck down a little more, took a deep breath and came to the realization that bad weather or not, I at least had the day off and was heading to the river. Taking in some of the sights along the country side , it dawned on me the bitter sweetness of Spring. Cattle were in many of the nearby fields along the drive. Many with newborn calves close by their sides. A glimpse of new life peppered with the reality that many of those same newborns may not survive their early days due to the lingering cold or predators. Their outcomes were as unpredictable as the weather. Most will survive though, and like the improving weather,hope for better days ahead. Getting closer to the destination, the road began to clear somewhat, reigniting the fever again. On the water now, it’s still snowing and another fish to the net…sweet!! Things were looking up by mid- afternoon. The sun was out, the temperature had climbed to 44 degrees and the fish continued to take the offerings. Big Horn Sheep were feeding on the grassy hillsides above, deer and elk duds littered the trail along the riverbank. Remnants of glistening snow , warmth from the sun,sparkling water through riffles and runs,deer,elk, sheep and the prized fish…yep, winter almost forgotten…a beautiful Spring day in the neighborhood.
The shadows finally began to get longer and the realization started to set in that there would be the long drive home and then back to work, leaving me to dream and wonder again what the following day and the days ahead would be like on the river.

Spring time in Montana, full of unpredictability and hope…you know …kind of bittersweet!