support_agent Help & Support

help How do I start my free trial?

Your 14-day free trial starts automatically when you first open the app! No credit card required. You'll have full access to all Premium features including The HatchCast AI. A banner at the top of the screen will show you how many days remain.

upgrade How do I upgrade to Premium?

1. Tap the menu icon menu in the top left
2. Select "Go Premium" from the menu
3. Choose Monthly ($4.99) or Yearly ($39.99) plan
4. Complete purchase through Apple App Store or Google Play

score How is the fishing score calculated?

The HatchCast generates a score from 0-100 based on weighted analysis of 7 environmental factors:

• 76-100 (Excellent): Prime conditions - drop everything and go fishing!
• 51-75 (Good): Solid conditions - should be a good day on the water
• 26-50 (Fair): Challenging - adjust tactics accordingly
• 0-25 (Poor): Tough conditions - consider waiting or changing location

bug_report How accurate are the hatch predictions?

The HatchCast combines real-time USGS data, SNOTEL snowpack sensors, weather patterns, and solunar activity with historical hatch timing patterns. While no prediction system is 100% accurate, our AI continuously learns from user-reported catches to improve recommendations.

my_location The map isn't showing my location

First, ensure location services are enabled:

• iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Montana Fishing Reports → "While Using the App"
• Android: Settings → Apps → Montana Fishing Reports → Permissions → Location → "Allow only while using the app"

Then, try restarting the app. The blue dot will appear on the map when location is working.

location_pin What do the map markers mean?

• ● Red pins: FWP Access Points - legal fishing access locations
• ● Blue water icons: USGS Gauge Stations - where flow/temperature data is collected
• ● Orange boat icons: Boat Ramps - put-in and take-out locations
• ● Yellow trophy: Leaderboard - top fishing spots based on logged catches
• ● Blue dot: Your current location

event_busy Why does a river show "Seasonal" for flow?

Some Montana rivers like the Beaverhead have USGS gauges that go offline seasonally (typically late fall through early spring). When the gauge is offline, we display "Seasonal" instead of "N/A" to indicate this is expected behavior. The river data will update automatically when the gauge comes back online.

update How often is data updated?

• USGS Flow Data: Updated hourly when gauges are online
• Weather Data: Updated every 1-2 hours
• Shop Reports: Updated as shops submit new reports
• The HatchCast AI: Generated on-demand using real-time data

analytics How is fishing difficulty calculated?

The fishing difficulty rating combines:

• Current flow rate vs. optimal fishing flows
• Water temperature (ideal range is 50-65°F)
• Recent weather conditions
• Historical fishing success rates

Easy: Excellent conditions, highly recommended
Moderate: Good conditions, worth fishing
Challenging: Poor conditions, consider waiting

toggle_on How do I enable push notifications?

campaign What notifications will I receive?

• Daily Briefing: Your personalized fishing conditions each morning
• Hatch Alerts: When major hatches are expected on your subscribed rivers
• Flow Alerts: When river flows change significantly (rises, drops, spikes)
• New Reports: When fishing reports are updated (optional)

add_circle How do I log a catch?

1. Go to your Fishing Log (menu → Fishing Log)
2. Tap the "+" button
3. Add a photo, select the river, and enter details
4. Choose to include location (GPS coordinates)
5. Save your catch!

storage Where is my fishing data stored?

Your fishing log data is stored locally on your device. We recommend regularly backing up your photos to your device's cloud storage (iCloud, Google Photos, etc.). An export feature is available in Settings if you want to backup your log data.

error The app is crashing or won't load

1. Force close the app and reopen it
2. Check your internet connection - the app needs data to load river information
3. Update the app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play
4. Restart your device if issues persist
5. Clear app cache (Android: Settings → Apps → Montana Fishing Reports → Storage → Clear Cache)

sync_problem Rivers aren't loading or showing old data

1. Pull down on the river list to refresh
2. Check that you have an internet connection
3. Wait a few minutes and try again - USGS servers occasionally have brief outages
4. Force close and reopen the app

diamond My Premium subscription isn't working

1. Ensure you're logged into the same Apple ID / Google account used for purchase
2. Go to Settings in the app and tap "Restore Purchases"
3. Force close and reopen the app
4. If issues persist, contact us with your purchase receipt

cancel How do I cancel my subscription?

• iOS: Settings → Apple ID (your name) → Subscriptions → Montana Fishing Reports → Cancel Subscription
• Android: Google Play Store → Menu → Subscriptions → Montana Fishing Reports → Cancel

You can continue using Premium until the end of your billing period.

replay Can I get a refund?

All purchases are processed through Apple App Store or Google Play. Refund requests must be submitted to them directly:

• Apple: reportaproblem.apple.com
• Google Play: play.google.com/store/account/orderhistory

add_photo_alternate How do I create a Brag Card?

1. From your Fishing Log, tap on any catch
2. Tap the share icon
3. Choose "Create Brag Card"
4. Select a template and customize
5. Share to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or save to photos

school What rivers are best for beginners?

Great beginner-friendly Montana rivers include:

• Lower Madison: Easy wading, consistent hatches, good access
• Missouri River (below Holter Dam): Stable flows, lots of fish
• Spring Creeks: Clear water, visible fish (DePuy, Armstrong, Nelson)
• Ruby River: Smaller river, easier to read water

calendar_month When is the best time to fish in Montana?

• Spring (April-May): Skwalla and March Brown hatches, less crowded
• Summer (June-Aug): Golden Stones, Salmonflies, PMDs - peak season
• Fall (Sept-Oct): Baetis and Mahogany Dun hatches, brown trout spawn
• Winter (Nov-Mar): Midge hatches, technical but rewarding