Summer stream conditions

Brian pointed out how the streams in the Bighorns were remarkably full for late August.  Agreed!  The Colorado-Wyoming region had record snowpack during the winter and the wettest June in memory.  Rain came often enough during July and August such that there were no fire restrictions throughout.  In previous years there were restrictions most of the time. 

The rivers and creeks in the Wind River range were full and sometimes too high to fish.  The weather was harsh out there and bugs were understandably plentiful.

Bugs thinned out and the weather was milder in the Beartooth range and nearly ideal in the Northern Bighorns.  Sunny most days, rain was gentle and very little lightning.  A welcome change from earlier in the summer. 

 Given climate change, I'd expect more extremes in the future: hotter days, drier streams and forests, fire restrictions most of the time.   The favorable conditions on this trip were possibly once in a lifetime and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity.