Fly Fishing Daily

# Snow Drought, Blue River Drama, and New Regs: What's Happening in Fly Fishing Right Now

Listen up, fly folks. We're just getting rolling into 2026 and there's some stuff you need to know about if you're planning to wet a line this year.

First, let's talk about the elephant in the room: snow. Much of the western U.S. has kicked off 2026 in the middle of a full-blown snow drought, according to reporting from The Conversation and Midcurrent. Here's why that matters to you. Those freestone rivers in Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest are looking at serious trouble. Without all that slow-melting snowpack cooling things down come July and August, water temperatures are going to spike early and hard. We're talking restrictions hitting sooner and spreading wider than normal. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks already throws down "hoot owl" restrictions when water hits 73 degrees for three days straight, shutting down fishing from 2 PM to midnight. Once you hit 77 degrees, trout start dying. So if you're planning a summer trip to the Rockies, plan it early or plan it high elevation.

Now for the real drama. Colorado Parks and Wildlife just dropped a bombshell report on the Lower Blue River near Kremmling, and according to Flylab reporting on the December 2025 CPW Fishery Survey, the culprit isn't floating anglers like some landowners have been claiming. It's the pellet-feeding programs. The aquatic biologist on the report flagged artificial feeding as a top risk factor for overcrowding and gill lice infestations spreading through the system. When you artificially boost fish populations beyond what the river can naturally support, you get disease and mortality. That's straight from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife findings. This has become a major access issue in Colorado and it's worth following.

Last thing: regulations are changing everywhere, and Coastal Angler Magazine has the rundown. Washington and Oregon are requiring new endorsements starting January 1st for certain waters like the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean areas on top of your regular license. That's location-specific, so check before you go. Minnesota is rolling out a new continuous bass season starting March 1st with catch-and-release and harvest zones. Wyoming just opened up fall lake trout fishing on the Snake River near Jackson Lake for the first time in seventy years, and the trout limit jumped from three to six fish daily below the dam. Federal Fish and Wildlife is also expanding access across refuges in Idaho, Montana and Washington, opening up over eighty-seven thousand acres of public water.

The point is: things are shifting fast. Check your state's regulations before you head out or you're going to get hit with fines.

Thanks for tuning in. Come back next week for more fly fishing news and insider intel. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.

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Hey folks, gather round the vice, its your boy with the latest buzz on fly fishing thats got us all twitching. First up, that snow droughts hitting the West hard, per MidCurrent and The Conversation. Western rivers like those in Utah, Colorado, and the PNW are staring down hot summers with low snowmelt, meaning hoot owl restrictions could kick in earlythink no fishing from 2pm to midnight if waters hit 73 degrees for days. Trout start dying at 77, so keep an eye on your local flows, boys, or well be babysitting barbless hooks all July.

Over in Wyoming, Wyoming Game and Fish is doubling the trout limit to six on the Snake River stretch below Jackson Lake Dam starting 2026no length caps on those fat browns, cutts still at three with one over 12. Fall action opens too, no more October shutdown. Sight-fish those big boys easier, but dont get greedy; its prime wadeable gold for us fly slingers.

Then theres the drama on Colorados Lower Blue River, straight from Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishery survey. CPWs Jon Ewert calls out pellet-feeding programs for overcrowding, gill lice, and trout die-offsblown past natural limits, its killing rainbows and browns. Landowners like Blue Valley Ranch push back, blaming floaters and low flows from Green Mountain Reservoir, per Aspen Times. They want a 10-year permit for floaters. Food for thought next time youre drifting nymphsdoes feeding fish help or hurt our runs?

And heads up East Coasters, new regs everywhereCoastal Angler Mag says Vermonts capping panfish at 50 daily, no crappie sales, and you need a free baitfish quiz endorsement. Washington and Oregon adding fees for Columbia and ocean waters. Plus, Feds opening 87,000 acres in refuges across Idaho, Montana, Washington for sport fishing, no lead tackle BS.

Gear up smart this year, localsmore conscience on C&R, river temps, and tying your own bugs like the Gen Z crew, says Flylab. 2026s looking up if we play it right.

Thanks for tuning in, tight lines till next week. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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Hey locals, grab your rods and listen up, cause 2026s got some wild twists hittin our fly fishing world that'll have you tyin knots faster than a mayfly hatch. First off, that snow drought crushin the West per MidCurrent and The Conversation means skimpy snowpack in Utah and Colorado basins sittin at under 60 percent of normal. Warm temps turned storms to rain, not snow, so expect early low flows, hot water, and hoot owl restrictions on freestone rivers by midsummer. Montana's high country might hold cooler, and tailwaters like the Green or Fryingpan could save your season, but pack light and hike deep.

Shiftin east, regs are shakin up bigtime. Wyoming Game and Fish is doublin trout limits to six daily below Jackson Lake Dam on the Snake, no size caps on browns, openin fall action after 70 years closed. Spreaker reports ODFW's addin a nine buck Ocean Endorsement for Oregon marine waters, simplifiyin kokanee to ten a day, while Vermont slaps a 50 panfish limit with crappie sales banned. Tennessee Wildlife Commission just greenlit 2026-27 rules, movin Big Soddy Creek delayed harvest to Nov 1 and easin Piney River trout regs. Feds at Fish and Wildlife are unlockin 87,000 new acres in Idaho, Montana, and Washington refuges for sportfishin, no lead tackle bans.

And dont sleep on the fun stuff: Fly Fishers International's 29th Sowbug Roundup hits the Ozarks March 26-28, all about delicate dry flies with pros like Davy Wotton on White and Norfork rivers. Fly Fishing Film Tour's 20th anniversary tour kicks off with flicks in Chattanooga March 27 and Winter Park June 6, perfect for dreamin up your next float.

Locals, adapt to the drought, memorize those reg tweaks to dodge fines, and mark your calendars for Sowbug or F3T. Tight lines, stay sneaky on the water.

Thanks for tunin in, come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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Hey folks, grab your rods and let's talk some real buzz in the fly fishing world for 2026, straight from the latest regs and policy scoops that'll have you itching to hit the water. First up, Wyoming Game and Fish is dropping a 70-year October closure on Jackson Lake near the Snake River—imagine sight-fishing big lake trout and browns in those crisp fall days, with trout limits jumping to six a day below the dam, no length caps on the abundant ones. Wyoming Game and Fish reports say it's all about expanding harvest on healthy stocks, perfect for us fly swingers targeting those tailwater beasts.

Over in Tennessee, the Fish and Wildlife Commission just greenlit 2026-27 regs, tweaking trout rules on Big Soddy Creek in Hamilton County—delayed harvest kicks off November 1 now, and they're scrapping it on Piney River while easing Catoosa WMA closures. Tennessee Wildlife says it's effective August 1, giving locals more consistent wading access without the hassle.

Feds are opening up big too—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expanding sport fishing across 87,000 acres of refuges in Idaho, Montana, and Washington, aligning with state rules, no lead tackle bans to sweat. And don't sleep on the Sowbug Roundup March 26-28 in the Ozarks—Flyfishers International calls it the premier fly tying expo, with pros like Davy Wotton demoing delicate dry flies on the White and Norfork rivers. Theme's all about those picky sippers.

Policy-wise, ASA Fishing's pushing the SHARKED Act to tackle shark depredation with a new task force, and South Atlantic states are eyeing Exempted Fishing Permits for red snapper—could mean weeks of season instead of days, thanks to NOAA data fixes. Plus, Dingell-Johnson reauth coming fall, pumping more excise tax bucks into habitat and access for us all.

These changes mean more water, better shots at trophies, and less red tape—mark your calendars, check your state's regs, and get after it.

Thanks for tuning in, come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

# 2026: A Banner Year for Fly Fishing Adventures

Hey folks, welcome back. If you've been wondering what's brewing in the fly fishing world right now, buckle up because 2026 is shaping up to be one heck of a year for us casters.

Let's start out West where things are getting real interesting. Wyoming just dropped a bombshell on the Snake River near Jackson Lake. For the first time in seventy years, that October closure is ending. Yeah, you heard that right. Starting this year, you can actually fish fall lake trout when the leaves are turning gold. And here's the kicker: the daily trout limit below the dam jumped from three fish to six, with no length restrictions on browns. The cutthroats still cap at three with one over twelve inches, but that's still way more opportunity than we've had before.

Over in Oregon, things are opening up too. The state just greenlit a nine-dollar Ocean Endorsement that funds nearshore surveys so managers actually know what's happening with stripers and other marine species. They also simplified the kokanee situation to a straight ten per day year-round, no fuss. Smart move all around.

Now here's where it gets real interesting on the conservation front. Down in Colorado, the Lower Blue River is making serious waves. Colorado Parks and Wildlife released a bombshell report showing that fish feeding programs are the real culprit behind the trout population problems, not floating anglers like some landowners claimed. The report flagged pellet-feeding as a top risk factor for overcrowding and gill lice infestations. That's huge because it means the focus shifts to how we manage these fisheries from the ground level.

And get this: the feds are expanding sport fishing access across National Wildlife Refuges in Idaho, Montana, and Washington, opening up over eighty-seven thousand acres of new water. That's more public land where you can wade and cast without the drama.

Thanks so much for tuning in today. Come back next week for more fly fishing news and stories. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI