Hey 'yote hunter,
Your friend is right. In Southwest Montana, most gophers are the Columbian variety and they are a bit bigger than Richardsons. The rivers are dropping fast. The Madison, Jefferson, and Big Hole Rivers usually drop just as soon. My guess, the rivers will be clear in a week or two.
Might want to carry a side arm, cause the snakes in that area will be out and about and there is a cat explosian throughout Western Montana.