re: frances

Question
mason,
    i have just read your reply to frances and would like to up date you (if you don't mind) on fishing in southwest MT.
     drought conditions have been pretty bad for the last few years. limits on trout have also droped in many river from 5 to 2. in july and august many rivers have been closed by this time of year, in the last 2 years too,(beaverhead,bighole,jefferson and some others).the snow pack is low this year too!
     also the smith river requiers a permit to float,which must be applied for by february.
                         
                             Joe  

Answer
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the heads up on the closings.  Can't remember exactly what I told Francis exactly, but I guess I didn't even think about the limits because I never keep a fish anyway so I never even think about that.  Also, if you float the Smith with a guide you needn't worry about permits (they deal with it), so if you can swing it that's the way to go.  
Best,
Mason

Sorry to hear that the snowpack is down again this year.  That's terrible.