Leaderboard

Here in Montana and the Gallatin river in particular, every access point has vehicles, some with mid summer numbers. I get my wife to drop me and my pontoon off and then pick me up. We live a short distance from the river. I've never in 18 years of living here seen so many people spread over the entire length of the stretch's I fish. I have to admit its great to see people and families out but the crowds at the access points totally defeat the positives. The upper Madison I believe is shut down to guide trips but I can't confirm that or how busy it is over there. Not sure how busy the Stone is either. I have never been passed by a game warden with my feet in the water and a flyrod in hand. At least six times in the past month.

I'm a child of the 70's, so not quite as wise as some in this thread, but I am very much at risk, dealing with both COPD and Asthma. Tying my brains out, and attempting some tough patterns, including mini Intruders, 18-20 BWO and the mighty Adams. Might post a few in the 'What are you tying 2020' thread. Also, cleaning house after a big move last summer. Try and get out at least 2wice a week, but sometimes it's nicer to stay home with a Fly Fusion magazine and some homemade beer. Be cool, everyone. Let's keep it going, and hope that the fish are getting a bit of a break. -M.

"He counted 68 vehicles parked at those spots." Remember, more cars at those spots doesn't always mean more people. Last time I was skiing in the backcountry (mid-March) my buddy and I arrived in separate vehicles, as did the next three skiers. I guess social distancing trumps climate change. Last week I counted 2 dozen cars at a remote access point downstream of Policeman's, a place where 10 cars would be a busy day in normal times. I was prepared for a gong show on the river, but that trailhead accesses 4-5 km of fishable shoreline and I only saw a few other anglers during the day. Nobody in the walk 'n wade community is violating social distancing norms just by choosing to spend a few hours on the water, maintaining a couple of casting-lengths, or more, spacing. Social distancing does not mean solitary confinement. On the other hand, a handful of jet boats passed by that were not solo trips, and I'd have to call that out as "non-compliant" (pretty sure these were not guided trips, though).