Flows this morning are still in the mid 8K range. Water temps staying the same at a solid 44 deg. up at the dam. We saw a ton of boats over the weekend, but that seems to have died down as we head into the middle of the work week. Overall, fishing can be great. If you.. read more →

In case you haven’t heard, Montana received a lot of snow this winter…and we’ll probably get more this spring. As of April 12th, the Missouri River drainage is at 129% of average for precipitation…and it’s snowing as I write this. As a result, the all-knowing folks who operate the dams have bumped up the flows.. read more →

Craig, MT is looking good this morning, windless, overcast and a solid 42 degrees at the moment. This afternoon is calling for a 30% chance of rain, a high of 51 degrees and wind becoming NNW at 7 mph. The flow out of Holter is 6530 cfs and the water temperature is 38 degrees. Nymphing.. read more →

Primitive at best, the Smith River Montana meanders 59-miles through forested mountains, towering limestone canyon walls and green rolling hills from the put-in at Camp Baker to the take-out at Eden Bridge. If you are one of the lucky ones who scored a permit for this 5-day adventure, I hope you have a spectacular journey.. read more →

As soon as the permit results are posted, CrossCurrents is flooded with questions of all kinds about floating the Smith River. Although I’ve only been down this river once, Chris Strainer-owner of CrossCurrents, has floated the Smith since 1999 and is a licensed guide for one of the eight approved Smith River outfitters. CrossCurrents Fly Shop.. read more →

So, you are 1 out of over 6,000 permit applicants to win a Permit for the Smith River in Montana. Congratulations, you beat the 6-to-1 odds! Now you have 6,000 people who want to be your friend. Including the Permit Holder, only 15 people can float on one permit, so choose your friends wisely. And.. read more →

Most anglers evolve over time. The evolution is what keeps us going. There is always a new fish to chase, a river to see, a way to fish, and it’s impossible to do it all. As you make the journey as a fly angler, so does your fly collection. Most start off with that one.. read more →

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. Today we are receiving yet another good dumping of snow.  While about town, I heard several people complaining that they are tired of Winter.  Tired of Winter?  Winter just got here!  Heck, at least it’s not 30 below, again yet.  Come August we will be complaining that it’s ‘too.. read more →

What do you do when winter ends?  I had the pleasure of meeting John Spriggs this fall in the Helena shop.  He was a really super nice dude!  I had no idea that this is what he liked to do.  Crazy!  I hope you enjoy the film – When Winter Ends.  (FYI… there are some.. read more →

With an arctic blast assuring we can’t even think about being on the river, most of us “die hards” have been at the tying desk spinning away at some of our favorite patterns for warmer weather. Sometimes you just sit at the vice for fun. A time for innovation and trying out a new pattern.. read more →