Montana’s Fly-Fishing Industry On The Rise

Fly-fishing guides in Montana say the season on the state's blue-ribbon trout streams got off to a slow start this summer due to high water levels from a heavy spring runoff, but that the lucrative industry is starting to pick up as flows decrease.

Jim Cox of Missoula's Kingfisher Fly Shop says everything was a month behind schedule this year, including insect hatches that fly-fishers attempt to match with intricately tied flies.

Cox says he cancelled every guided outing in June after telling clients at the end of May it wasn't worth the trip.

Ryan Thompson of Glacier Anglers in West Glacier says that he hopes the extra water will extend the season into September so businesses that rely on fly-fishing can recoup losses.
Associated Press