It is mid Feburary and we are looking at a 74% snow pack for the Madison drainage, an 85% snow pack for the Gallatin drainage. The upper Yellowstone drainage is at 75%. It feels like an early spring, but we can get lots of wet snow in April and early May. Right now I would expect the runoff to be short and the fishing to be excellent in June and July. If we don't get the spring rains than August might be a tough fishing month, especially during the mid day.

The montana license season starts March 1st, make sure you renew your license. Prices are the same as last year. The montana general opener is the third Saturday in May, which is May 15 2010. Yellowstone park opens to fishing Saturday of Memorial day weekend, which is May 29 2010.

The Evolution reel has been discontinued. Spools in black are still availble. It has been replaced by the Evolution LT, the spool cap, drag knob, and escapement cover are now aluminum. The spool is more ventilated and there is no measerable weight increase. I have a few of the old style reels left. A #2 copper reel ($305) sale price $228, and a slate blue #3.5 reel ($345) sale price $258.

The roos rhythm reel has been discontinued for a couple years now. I have two left both #3 one copper and one slate grey ($230) sale price $160.

One of the best lake flies over the past several years has been the xmas tree. It is a woolly bugger, olive marabou tail, xmas tree chenille, gold ribbing, and a brown hackle. Fished mainly with a sinking line and stripped in. It can be trolled weather you are in a boat or slowly back kicking your float tube. It has been one of the go to flies for Hebgen lake. Also, very effective on Henry's lake. This winter I have recieved lots of calls from fisherman in Califoria looking for the xmas tree chenille, as it has been a great fly for their local lakes.