We agree with you that weather forecasting is an inexact science at best, the butt of a hoard of jokes - some good and some bad, and the interest of a lot of folks who’s livelihoods or recreational pursuits are intimately tied to vagaries of weather.   Not only will we fish next spring, summer, and fall the water generated by the upcoming winter’s snowpack, but Bozeman’s population is also quite ski crazy - powder days still cause the town to vacate as we head for the hills.

The winter snowpack the last few years has been the source of great concern and resulted in summer river flows that were record setting (low) at times, and many area lakes and reservoirs are all but empty.

Times may be a changin’ though - there appears to a La Nina setting up in the Pacific.  By reports generated late last week it has already strengthened more so than anticipated by this point in the year.  That has resulted in at least the forecast of a higher than normal precipitation year in the Northwest, to include Montana and northern Idaho - areas of prime fishing concern.

The map, courtesy of NOAA, is for the nation’s precip during the months of December, January, and February.

These forecasts can change of course, but it is a bit of encouraging news for the water starved Montana and Idaho fisheries that have been beaten up a bit these past few years.  We’ll follow this along with you as the season matures.

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