East Fork Bitterroot Cutthroat 4-20
Hey guys I hope everyone is staying healthy both physically and mentally.
Our family has been trying to make the best of these last few months of social distancing. We’ve tied flies, home schooled, watched a lot of movies, learned how to better play pinochle, played guitar, and of course have gone fishing. Recently my son has discovered some new streamer water and has been catching some healthy fish. My wife and I did a short float on the West Fork of the Bitterroot a couple of days ago and the fishing was good, she stuck a nice brown and a handful of rainbows and cutties on a real enjoyable sunny float, which happened to be our 21st wedding anniversary.
2 foot Bitterroot rainbow from the Bitterroot April 2020
The MT Governors directive is allowing us to start guiding on April 27. With the snowpack currently starting to murk the Blackfoot, Clark Fork, and Bitterroot we are headed to the MO like we have this time of year for the last 20 seasons. There are some constraints due to covid; currently if you are not a MT resident, and haven’t been here for the last two weeks you still have to quarantine for 14 days coming from other states. One still must abide by the 6 foot distance protocol so by putting my rowing seat way back I can still safely guide one angler in my drift boat. I’m fortunate to have one local angler who is a MT resident and wants to fish a couple of days, so off to the Mighty Mo we Go! We will be self shuttling with the help of my wife, and serving food will be a bit more intensive in preparation, but we are happy to be headed back near normalcy we hope. I ordered a new drift boat a few months ago so this will be the maiden voyage in our new Clackacraft.
Keep your chin straps buckled for a while. Remember your attitude is the one thing you have total control of, and you have a choice when reacting to certain agendas.
Here’s a toast/shout out to all my family, friends, and guests. I’m hoping that things will be brighter shortly. Possibly this world event will allow us to make the best of various situations, and rethink what is truly important to us. Change is constantly happening on this spinning blue rock where we exist. I hope that you guys are safe and that shortly we will see you on our rivers.
