by Randy | Mar 26, 2021 | The Snag Hole
It’s been a long time since killing and eating trout was a thing…at least on the Madison River. Nowadays, catch and release is a way of life, especially with the fly fishing crowd, and many rivers have a “no kill” stretch, or “barbless...
by Randy | Mar 23, 2021 | River Reports
Madison Basin snow pack looking near normal, 91% with more high country snow in forecast…a good situation. April/May are typically good moisture months in Montana so summer flows should be fine. Hebgen release is steady at 880cfs….flows at West Fork right...
by Randy | Feb 13, 2021 | The Snag Hole
Justin Edge is a fishing guide and outfitter based in Ennis, Mt. His science based thoughts on maintaining the health of the Madison are rooted in facts…and common sense. Mt. FWP, Northwestern Energy, Montana Outfitters and Guides Assoc., Fishing Outfitters...
by Randy | Feb 2, 2021 | River Reports
Groundhog Club co-handler John Griffiths co-handler Al Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 133rd celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. Phil’s handlers said...
by Randy | Jan 21, 2021 | River Reports
Madison/Gallatin basins 74-78% of normal. It’s been an open winter around here so far…great for livin’ but not so great for soil moisture content and summertime river flows. March and April are typically strong moisture months for Montana so...
by Randy | Dec 24, 2020 | The Snag Hole
“We have met the enemy and he is us” Lone Mt. photo by Randy Brown Are we willing to step up, protect special places? By Dorothy Bradley Guest columnistDec 23, 2020, Bozeman Daily Chronicle This gorgeous and warm December, I find myself torn by each day’s...
by Randy | Dec 15, 2020 | The Snag Hole
Montana Standard…12/15/2020 Madison Plan Falls Short. A milestone has been achieved on the Madison with passage of a new plan. But it doesn’t really appear that the changes will have much of an impact on the overcrowding and nothing will be implemented...
by Randy | Dec 5, 2020 | The Snag Hole
I always believed the end of summer in Montana was when the colonies of cliff swallows disappear. If it’s not the end, it’s the beginning of the end. They spend a furious time swirling and dipping and daubing, building their mud huts one beak full of...
by Randy | Nov 21, 2020 | The Snag Hole
“While the issues before you today are not easy, and nor do they offer simple solutions, I think all of us on this call really care about crafting the best way forward.”…Martha Williams, Director, Mt. FWP. And so with that sterile, impersonal Zoom...
by Randy | Oct 27, 2020 | The Snag Hole
Wad of coots huddled together on Ennis Lake today. Cruising and birding with Janet today, we witnessed carnage, slow suffering and death. Any year when Ennis Lake does a quick freeze like this year, hundreds if not thousands of coots are too slow to flee and actually...
