Anglers embrace North Fork fishing regs to protect native trout

Local anglers and guides generally support the unprecedented fishing restriction placed on the North Fork of the Flathead River this week due to record warm water temperatures. Protecting native fisheries trumps the inconvenience of reduced fishing hours under hoot owl rules, they said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on Wednesday placed restrictions on the North Fork near Glacier National Park following weeks of dry heat in Northwest Montana. Hoot owl rules prohibit fishing during the hottest times of the day — 2 p.m. to midnight — until conditions improve.  

“Boy, the North Fork is toasty,” said Jim Vashro, president of Flathead Wildlife, Inc. and an avid angler, after the measures were put in place Wednesday.