Wolf hunts still on

At least for now a Montana judge has refused to block planned wolf hunts in Idaho and Montana.

Disasters such as this, rather than managed hunting, pose the greatest threat to long-term wolf recovery.

Will wolf hunt move forward?

A Monday court date looms for challenges to Montana and Idaho's proposed wolf hunts. We can only hope Judge Molloy sets aside these frivolous appeals and finally allows Montana and Idaho to manage these no longer endangered species.

Montana's Gov. Brian Schweitzer wants the hunt to take place.

North Fork battle continues

Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester brought Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to the North Fork Flathead River Tuesday to make real the threat mining poses to on of America's great rivers.

Gill netting Swan Lake macks

FWP plans commercial netting of lake trout in Swan Lake.

What's the deal with FWP shakeup?

We're not quite sure what to make of Gov. Schweitzer's leadership shakeup at FWP. Is this some nefarious plot to raise revenues through increased fees? Frankly, we have no idea. The Gov's stated rationale that the department needed reorganization doesn't jive with the rough, and classless treatment handed outgoing FWP Director Jeff Hagener. We'll stay with this story and see what develops.

North Fork Flathead fishing well

We caught this nice westslope cutthroat just a bit downstream from the Big Creek boat launch a few weeks ago. The North Fork Flathead River have been fishing well all July. When we're not posting on this blog this time of year, it usually means we're guiding on the North or Middle forks. Clients are catching lots of fish on the North Fork, though many of the big cutts are working their way downstream to the lower Flathead River or even Flathead Lake, where they'll put on weight to fuel next spring's spawning run up the North Fork.

The Middle Fork has been a little more challenging, unless you're floating the whitewater section above West Glacier. If you can handle the whitewater you'll be rewarded with some decent fishing.

Mitchell Slough open for fishing

The final rules for fishing Mitchell Slough have been adopted. After 15 years our right to fish this section of the Bitterroot River has finally been restored.