What is Hoot Owl?
Hoot Owl Fishing Restrictions have returned to Missoula this year. Montana FWP puts these restrictions in place when water temperatures get too warm for trout to reliably recover from being caught and released. In western Montana our water temps can vary by as much as ten degrees in a day, and restricting the fishing after 2 pm protects our trout when they are most vulnerable. It is not an ideal fishing scenario, but we have dealt with these restrictions in years past.
Fish Smarter
Essentially we have been fishing a Hoot Owl schedule for the last 10 days or so. On freestone streams with no dam the fishing is generally best when it is most comfortable to be outside. For instance, in March and April when it is downright frigid in the morning our best fishing is often when it warms up in the afternoon. Likewise, during the peak of summer the fishing is much better when it is cool in the mornings versus the sweltering heat of late afternoon. Once the daytime highs start hitting the 90’s the best course of action is to set that alarm clock for as early as you can stand.
Anglers who have fished with us through Hoot Owl in years past realize it’s not the end of the fishing world, but first timers understandably feel a bit of panic when they first hear the news. The only real difference is that the Hoot Owl is a publicized piece of the fishing equation. Our guides and anglers deal with similar challenges throughout the season, whether it is the high water of June, big cold fronts in the spring, or early snow storms during fall. Every season presents a particular challenge and during late summer it is the Hoot Owl.
On the flip side, some of the best fishing we have seen has occurred during periods of fishing restrictions. Spruce moth hatches on the Blackfoot, Rock Creek, and West Fork make for incredible dry fly fishing and the hopper, ant, and beetle fishing seems to gain momentum each day. It’s still just fishing though, some days are great, some are tough, and most fall somewhere in between.
During Hoot Owl restrictions we will do everything we can to make the most of your fishing trip. If you want to maximize your time on the water we can pick you up at daybreak and fish hard all the way until 2 before stopping for lunch. Others choose to meet a little later and have lunch during the fishing day and that’s fine too. It’s your trip and we will do all we can to meet your expectations.
