There are some clouds headed our way, and wind and rain too, but don’t get down – the bite will be best right before the worst settles in.  Every touch of gray has a silver lining…or something like that.

(Featured Image: Einar Bratteng of Norway with an arctic grayling on the Rolla River.  The last population of these fish in the lower 48 can be found in the Big Hole River of Montana. Simonson Photo.)

DAILY CONDITIONS:

WEATHER (Bismarck Conditions):
Don’t shoot the messenger, but Friday (until about 4:30 PM) will be the best day of the weekend.
Today: Fri 6/16 – Clouds increasing, less windy. Hi 80, Lo 58, Winds W @ 14 mph.
Tomorrow:  Sat 6/17 – Rainy, windy, ugh! Hi 72, Lo 52. Winds NW @ 22 mph.

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):
Sunrise: 5:48AM Sunset: 9:39PM
Moonrise: 1:34AM Moonset: 12:46AM
Overhead: 7:05AM Underfoot: 7:29PM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (58% Full)
EDGE HOUR: 6:30 – 7:30 AM.  Winds will be calmer, and an overhead moon will extend the early morning bite a bit, and you’ll still get back in time for work, but you might want to take the morning off too, as weekend conditions start to deteriorate later on Friday.

DAY RATING:

THREE THINGS

FULL FRONTAL. Have you ever caught a hot bite just before a front moves in?  There are some basic meteorological and physical theories as to why the fishing is better, with the most interesting being that the incoming low pressure allows tiny air bubbles to escape suspension in the water and rise to the surface, triggering a rise of microorganisms, which triggers following baitfish, which makes predators move in to feed as well.

GRAY DAYS. The last remaining population of arctic grayling in the continental U.S. exists in Montana.  The Montana acrtic grayling is a post-glacial subspecies that has hung on thanks to conservation and reintroduction programs in and around the Big Hole River.  Where once two populations remained, the Michigan subspecies is now extinct, and much of the Montana population which inhabited the upper range of the Missouri River and its tributaries is now limited to the Big Hole River.  Grayling are noted for their large and often colorful dorsal fin, with hints of pink, purple and sometimes blue, used for display in courting a mate.

HIKING LADIES. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has openings for Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event scheduled for July 15-16. This workshop is designed for women with previous hiking or backpacking skills, or who are in good physical condition. Participants will hike a 13-mile portion of the trail near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Activity is strenuous due to rough terrain. The $30 fee includes group gear and transportation to and from the CCC Campground. Each participant must provide their own personal gear and meals.