John,
Very true; the woman who runs the storage facility where we park our trailer said (with tongue firmly planted in cheek since there’s some pretty significant snow drifts along the fencelines) my arrival is like a sign of spring; we both had a pretty good laugh about that.
Don’t want to take anything for granted, though; when we get together this summer, we should probably wear armbands with scarlet "T"s to identify who we are.
Regards,
Scott
Just got a Facebook update from Henrys Fork Foundattion.
They are predicting higher summer streamflows than last year on the Henrys Fork.
https://henrysfork.org/summer-streamflow-predicted-be-higher-last-year
Here’s my latest update on the snowpack, runoff, and predicted summer streamflows in the Yellowstone area.
Not a lot of changes in snowpack since the last update, but I am starting to get a clearer picture of what we’re looking at. In particular, last year and the year before saw collapses in snowpack in the first half of April that we didn’t get this year, so we’re now ALMOST certain of normal or late clearing dates for the Yellowstone and other waters in YNP, accompanied by average or above average streamflows in mid-late summer.
The specifics depend on when we enter runoff. The NOAA 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks are calling for warm weather in the latter part of April. If this happens and there’s no prolonged cool spell in early May, the Yellowstone will enter runoff ten days to two weeks from now and drop out of it at a near-normal (July 1) time. On the other hand, the week 3-4 NOAA outlooks are calling for normal weather possibly shading towards cool (cool over the Pacific NW anyway). If THAT happens, we could have a double-dip runoff: a brief heavy surge in late April and the first few days of May, then a week-long break, then the heavy runoff. These double-dips usually make for great fishing around May 10.
There’s a lot of uncertainty at the front end of runoff. It’s one reason why I’ll be posting these updates roughly weekly henceforth.
Had to make a quick 2-day car shuttle from Phoenix to Whitefish; a few shots of difference between then and now snow-wise.
Tendoys
April 11
May 3
Pioneers
April 12
May 3
Tobacco Roots
April 12
May 3 (long shot; didn’t drive over to Three Forks on this trip, headed straight up I-15)
Anacondas
April 12
May 3
Missions
April 12
May 3
Still a good bit of white stuff and the rivers I saw were in pretty good shape, runoff-wise. Going to warm up the next few days so that may change things; grab the carp.
My visa has expired so I have to return to VA for refresher training in proper etiquette for an easterner while in Montana. For those who get to stay and play, enjoy.
Regards,
Scott
Hope you have a nice trip to VA, Scott. I’ll be heading to MT myself this coming week, but I knew I’d forget something and I’m afraid it’s too late now my etiquette training. What can a guy do to get by?
Update today regarding Henry’s Fork watershed by the Henry’s Fork Foundation.
Having difficulty posting the chart, but is good news regarding snowpack in the basin for 2017
Thanks John. Our son is graduating from college; another English Major unleashed upon an unsuspecting world.
Do what I do. Tip your hat and wave to folks when you’re out and about; seems to work okay in the Flathead. Have fun in Paradise (literally); hope you get to fish the big orange bugs on top.
Regards,
Scott
I see the Henry’s Fork watershed is reporting snowpack at 138% of the historical median as of today. Most all of the area rivers are all reporting snowpack that’s well above the norm. Looking good, Byron.
You gotta love those waves that are common In MT. Something we don’t do enough of back east, at least in PA where I am.