A section of the low and slow Big Hole River between the East Bank Recreation site and Divide appeared all but deserted Friday morning. One lone angler waded near the Pumphouse in a stretch of stream that looked more like a boulder field than a river.

Later that day, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced it was closing to all fishing the entire Big Hole and Jefferson rivers due to low stream flows.

The closures became effective at midnight Aug. 23 and will remain in effect until further notice.

FWP’s action surprised few who have paid attention this grim summer, which started with a comparatively low mountain snowpack and was hit with an early melting of some of that snow.

The closures reflect drought management plans on both rivers. On the Jefferson River, the drought plan allows f

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