Fly Fishing Daily

# 2026 Fly Fishing: Snow Drought, New Rules, and a River Controversy

Hey folks, welcome back. If you've been gearing up for 2026, there's some wild stuff happening in the fly fishing world right now that you definitely need to know about.

First up, here's the bad news. Much of the western US is dealing with a serious snow drought this season. According to reporting on the 2026 snow drought, this is going to hit summer fly fishing hard. We're talking about freestone rivers in Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest being at serious risk. Here's the thing: without that slow release of snowmelt cooling rivers in July and August, water temperatures are going to spike earlier and faster than usual. Montana's already preparing for this. When water temperatures hit 73 degrees for three consecutive days, they're throwing down hoot owl restrictions, which means no fishing from 2 PM to midnight. And get this, water temperatures of 77 degrees or higher can actually be lethal to trout. So if you're planning summer trips out West, you better start thinking about early morning and late evening sessions right now.

Now let's talk regulation changes, because there's a lot happening. Washington and Oregon are implementing new location-specific fishing endorsements starting January 1st. In Oregon specifically, that Ocean Endorsement is just nine dollars annually or four bucks daily, and here's the kicker: that revenue is going straight to nearshore fish population surveys. Meanwhile, Wyoming just dropped something huge. They're ending a seventy-year October closure on the Snake near Jackson Lake, which means fall lake trout season is opening up for the first time in seven decades. And on that tailwater below the dam, the trout limit jumped from three to six daily with no length caps on abundant browns. That's the kind of news that should get you planning a trip.

But here's where it gets interesting. Over in Colorado, there's a pretty heated debate happening on the Lower Blue River. Colorado Parks and Wildlife released a fishery survey report that's ruffling feathers. According to their December 2025 report, the pellet-feeding programs on the Lower Blue River are flagged as a top risk factor. The state's aquatic biologist basically said that artificial fish feeding is creating overcrowding and spreading gill lice, which is killing trout populations. But here's the thing: landowners and fishing guides over there aren't buying it. They're pointing out that the survey doesn't prove causation, and they're pushing back on some of the findings. It's a classic access versus conservation showdown, and it's definitely one to watch in 2026.

On a brighter note, the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service is expanding sport fishing access across refuges in Idaho, Montana, and Washington, adding over eighty-seven thousand acres of public water. That's the kind of news that makes you want to load up the truck.

So there you have it. A snow drought that's changing summer strategies, new regulations opening up opportunities, and a river controversy that's got the whole fly fishing community talking. Stay tuned to these stories as 2026 unfolds. Thanks so much for tuning in and please come back next week for more. 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

Hey folks, grab your Simms waders and a stiff double latte, cause 2026s got some buzzworthy fly fishing shakes-ups hittin the US rivers thatll have you riggin up pronto. First off, Colorados Lower Blue River near Kremmling is in a real tussle per that fresh December 2025 Colorado Parks and Wildlife survey by aquatic biologist Jon Ewert. CPW says pellet-fed trout from spots like Blue Valley Ranch are overcrowdin the joint, spreadin gill lice, and tankin populationsbrowns and rainbows alike. Landowners wanna slap a 10-year pilot permit on floaters to fix it, but locals like Friends of the Lower Blue are pushin back, blamin reservoir flows instead. Angler mortality? CPW calls it minor under catch-and-release rules. Keep an eye on this one, could change how we drift that tailwater gold.

Shiftin west, Wyomins Game and Fish is droppin a 70-year October closure on Jackson Lake startin next year, openin up lake trout spawnin grounds for fall action. Plus, Snake River below the dam from 150 feet out to the gauging station? Trout limit jumps to six daily, no length caps on them chunky browns while cutts stay at three with one over 12. Sight-fishin hogs just got easier, bait chuckers too, but us fly slingersll own those riffles.

Oregons ODFW just locked in 2026-27 regs with a nine-buck Ocean Endorsement for marine speciesno salmon or steelhead hassles tho. Funds nearshore surveys for better striper data, simplifies kokanee to 10 a day year-round, and greens spearfishin on bass and walleye to ease pressure on natives. Cleaner swings for steelhead swings ahead.

And heads up on the snow drought hammerin the West, per Midcurrents take on The Conversation reportmuch of Utah, Colorado, PNW freestones are low on snowpack. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks could slap hoot owl restrictions early if temps hit 73 degrees three days runnin77s lethal for trout. La Nina patterns mean late snow dumps, but summer rivers might cook without melt to cool em. Pack barbless hooks and watch those water temps, crew.

Theres more like Arkansas Game and Fish Commissions new two-trout limits with 14-inch releases on Beaver and Greers Ferry tailwaters come Feb 1, post-hatchery die-offs. Overall, Flylabs callin 2026 an up year for fishin conscience, Gen Z tyin bugs, and wins like the MAPWaters Act passin Senate for easier public water access via apps.

Thanks for tunin in, tight lines out there. 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

Hey folks, grab your rods and lets talk shop on whats hot in fly fishing right now. First up, that drama on Colorados Lower Blue River is blowing up. Colorado Parks and Wildlife dropped their December 2025 survey report blaming pellet-feeding programs for overcrowding trout, gill lice, and die-offs, not us floaters like some landowners are pushing. CPW biologist Jon Ewert says fed fish push populations past natural limits, spiking mortality, while angler catch-and-release is minor. Friends of the Lower Blue and Blue Valley Ranch want a 10-year permit for floaters, but locals are calling for more on low flows from Green Mountain Reservoir. Keep an eye, this could cramp access.

Out West, snow droughts got Midcurrent warning freestone rivers in Utah, Colorado, and the PNW at risk. No big melt means hotter water sooner, with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks slapping hoot owl restrictions at 73 degrees. Could hit 77 lethal for trout without that slow snowpack cooldown, so plan early season trips.

Good news in Wyoming per Wyoming Game and Fish: Snakes tailwater below Jackson Lake doubles trout limit to six daily, no length caps on big browns, and ends the 70-year October closure for fall lakers. More sight-fishing for us fly guys.

Oregon dropped regs too via ODFW: nine buck Ocean Endorsement for marine species minus salmon and steelhead, funding surveys for better striper data. Simplified kokanee to ten a day year-round, and opened spearfishing on bass walleye to ease native pressure, maybe cleaner runs for our steelhead swings.

Feds at Fish and Wildlife Service are opening 87,000 acres in Idaho, Montana, Washington refuges for sport fishing, no lead tackle bans, just more wadeable public water.

And big win: MAPWaters Act passed Senate, heading to prez desk for easy online access to federal waters info.

2026s looking up with smarter conscience on fish handling, Gen Z tying bugs, and these tweaks. Tight lines, yall.

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 Fly Fishing: What You Need to Know

Hey folks, buckle up because 2026 is shaping up to be a wild year for fly fishers across the country, and there's some serious stuff going down that you need to know about.

First up, let's talk about the elephant in the room: snow. According to The Conversation, much of the western U.S. has kicked off 2026 in the middle of a snow drought, and that's bad news for summer fly fishing. Freestone rivers in Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest are getting hit hardest. Here's the problem: without that slow, steady snowmelt cooling things down through July and August, water temperatures are going to spike faster than ever. Montana already throws the book at anglers when temperatures hit 73 degrees for three consecutive days with hoot owl restrictions that shut down fishing from 2 PM to midnight. And get this, water temps at 77 degrees or higher can actually kill trout. So expect those restrictions earlier and more widespread this year. Not ideal if you're planning an August trip to the Rockies.

Now let's head to Colorado where things are getting spicy. Colorado Parks and Wildlife dropped their Lower Blue River Fishery Survey Report in December, and it reveals that fish feeding programs, not floating anglers like some landowners claim, are the primary culprit behind recent trout population decline. According to the survey, pellet-feeding operations are causing overcrowding and spreading gill lice infestations throughout the system. The report specifically states that fed fish and heavy gill lice infestation represent a major concern for the fishery's health. Some wealthy landowners want to implement a ten-year permit system to limit floating anglers, but the data suggests that's not where the real problem lies. It's a developing story that could reshape access to one of Colorado's most contested waters.

Here's some good news to balance things out. The Fish and Wildlife Service is expanding sport fishing access across refuges in Idaho, Montana, and Washington, opening up over 87,000 acres of new water. These spots align with state rules and come with no lead tackle drama, so you'll have more public water to wade and cast than ever before. That's a huge win for access advocates.

Finally, brace yourself for new regulations rolling out across multiple states. Oregon just greenlit a nine-dollar Ocean Endorsement for marine fishing starting January 1st, with revenue funding nearshore surveys. Wyoming is dropping a bombshell by ending a seventy-year October closure on the Snake near Jackson Lake, so fall lake trout action is now open. And in Wyoming's tailwater stretch below the dam, the trout limit jumps from three to six daily. Vermont completely revamped its panfish regulations with new bag limits and baitfish endorsement requirements. Meanwhile, Washington and Oregon are instituting location-specific fishing endorsements for the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean areas in addition to regular licenses.

The takeaway? Check your state's specific regulations before you fish, because 2026 is a year of change. The water's going to be warmer, access is expanding in some places, and rules are shifting everywhere.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Come back next week for more fly fishing news and insights. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out QuietPlease.AI.

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

Hey folks, grab your rods and let's talk shop on what's shakin' in fly fishing right now. First off, that snow drought hittin' the West hard—Midcurrent says freestone rivers in Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest are prime for early hoot owl restrictions this summer if temps hit 73 degrees for days. Without snowmelt coolin' things down, trout could stress out bad, so keep an eye on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for those 2pm-to-midnight shutdowns. Plan your drifts accordingly, boys.

Over on Colorado's Lower Blue River, Colorado Parks & Wildlife just dropped a survey bomb—Flylab reports pellet-feeding's overcrowdin' the joint, spreadin' gill lice and tankin' trout numbers. Landowners like Blue Valley Ranch are pushin' a pilot permit for floaters, blamin' us waders less, but CPW says angler kills are minor in this catch-and-release stretch. Access fight's heatin' up near Kremmling—stay tuned, it could cramp your style.

Good news in Wyoming though—Wyoming Game and Fish is doublin' trout limits to six a day on the Snake below Jackson Lake dam, no length caps on browns, and openin' fall action after 70 years. Sight-fish those big cuts easier now, perfect for dry fly fanatics.

And Arkansas anglers, AGFC eased up on Beaver and Greers Ferry tailwaters—daily limit's two trout, release anything over 14 inches after last year's hatchery woes. Simplifies things so you can focus on swingin' streamers without the headache.

These changes mean check your regs close, wet your line smart, and respect the fish. 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.

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