Fishing tips for high water

Finally, the Flathead River is clearing and I hear it screaming, "Fish me, fish me." But don't kid yourself, there's still a huge volume of water rolling down the Flathead River.

My check last Sunday night at www.waterdata.usgs.gov/MT showed the Flathead River at Columbia Falls flowing at 13,400 cubic feet per second, while the long-term median flow for that date is 6939 cfs. In other words, the river's moving twice its normal flow of water. At 59 degrees F.

I'd love to report my most recent float trip, but unfortunately I've been grounded. Literally. Due to foot surgery, I've spent nearly six weeks in a cast or foam boot. Kicking with flippers in a personal pontoon boat or wading just ain't happened.

This week, I'm offering what I consider the single most important tip for catching trout in the Flathead River, or any river, during high water. And, hopefully, I'll have read this story before my physical therapist gives me the go-ahead for a fishfull summer.

The key to catching fish in high water is to break down the river into very small pieces and to concentrate your fishing efforts where you would spend your time if you were a trout. While you may feel comfortable walking into a 10 mph wind, you would certainly avoid winds over 40 mph.

Trout expend much less energy holding their position in eddies and behind boulders than midlevel, midstream. An abundance of both aquatic and terrestrial insects near the shoreline, coupled with lesser currents, make "banging the banks" a productive technique during high water.

So in high water float your flies and pitch your Mepps into fishy-looking spots close to shore. Be selective. In late summer, when water levels drop, fish the trenches, ledges and chutes midstream.

Hopefully I'll see you on the water soon.