Montana News
Montana fishing guides respond to heat-related fishing restrictions
With Montana News, I'm Austin Amestoy. Wildlife officials this month imposed heat-related fishing restrictions on rivers across western Montana. For fishing guides and outfitters, restrictions force them to get creative to ensure clients can still get out on the water. MTPR's John Hooks has more. Outfitting and guiding on Southwest Montana's blue ribbon trout streams, like the Big Hole River, brings tens of millions of dollars every year into the local economy of Beaver Head County. But with much of the area under partial fishing restrictions due to Montana's ongoing heat wave, guides have to balance clients' experience with fishery health. Sarah Cornetti is the general manager at Complete Fly Fisher in Wise River. "The fishing has been good. You just have to be creative when we have these types of situations and mix it up for clients and also mix it up for the sake of the fishery." Cornetti says they work around restrictions by getting clients out early in the morning when water temperatures are still cool and move to less trafficked areas to ease angling pressure on the river's most popular sections. Cornetti says the change in routine gives guides an opportunity to tell clients about factors that influence water temperature and fish health. "Explaining our snowpack and the differences year to year and how that affects water temperatures and the amount of water in the river. It's all educational." Houdowell restrictions are enacted when water temperatures reach 73 degrees for three consecutive days. They close rivers to fishing between 2 pm and midnight each day to give respite to fish stressed by the heat. In Butte, I'm John Hooks. This is Montana Public Radio.