Fishing

Anglers in SW Montana are very fortunate in that most waters are open year around.  However some streams and sections of streams are closed at certain times to protect spawning trout.  This weekend, May 18th, is the formal opening of the general Montana fishing season.  Some of the streams have come up due to snow melt but you will still have plenty of fishing choices.

Spring has finally caught up with SW Montana.  Temperatures are in the low 70's and expected to last for at least a week.  You may see some runoff but we do not expect to see the rivers go sky high for awhile yet.  Check the USGS sight for flow before you head out this week.

The Big Hole is running about 800 cubic feet per second and fishing well with nymphs on bright days.  If you get some cloud cover you will find fish willing to chase streamers and they may even look up top for blue winged olives.

For years we have tried to encourage our angling friends to look closely at the early season fishing in SW Montana.  It is a hard sell because so many folks are afraid of encountering cold weather.  Well that is a possibility.  Yesterday, April 23rd, we experienced record low cold temperatures.  Despite these very cool temps three of the guides from Healing Waters Lodge and six clients spent the day on the Big Hole.  It was terrific!!!

For some April 15th can be a painful day.  Take heart that it is spring in the Rockies and the fishing is very good.  If you are traveling to Montana for business or pleasure you will find that the pre-runoff water conditions  are perfect. 

SW Montana has experienced some early spring and summer like temperatures the last few days.  The result of these warmer temps are some higher and off colored rivers.  Typically what happens is some of the low snow in drainages like the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Madison melts with the first warm spell of spring but then is gone quickly.  Don't be concerned about the off color water lasting too long.  It is still very cold in the high country and the primary melt will not happen untill we get closer to mid May.

It looks like spring may be getting closer in SW Montana.  The next four or five days temperatures are predicted to be in the mid fifties.  Perfect fishing weather!  I would suggest the following as good early season fisheries:

The Madison.  We love the Madison between Ennis and Varney Bridge this time of year.  You will find rainbows between 16" and 20" moving up out of Ennis Lake into the channels.  Fish stone fly nymphs, small bead heads and san juan worms effectively under indicators.

SW Montana is still cold but we continue to get moisture in the mountains.  As we have mentioned in the past, you can have some very good winter fishing days in Montana.  You do need to get the air temperatures up into the high thirties or even forties to be comfortable.  Typically we get what are called chinooks in February.  These are warm winds that drive the air temps into the forties or even fifties sometimes.  That has not happened yet so most anglers are still sitting at their fly tying benches or hitting the ski slopes. 

SW Montana has been receiving very good moisture.  Snow packs in the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Madison drainages as of January 15, 2013 were a little above normal.  As any angler knows who fishes the Rockies, our rivers depend primarily on snow melt for their water source.  We typically do get some spring rains and summer thunderstorms but basically it is vital to have good snows in the mountains.  Unless something dramatically changes between mid January and Mid May 2013 is going to be another very good fishing year!

As we approach the Christmas Holidays it is hard to think about fishing but we like to remind folks that most SW Montana waters are open year around and if you are going to be in the state on business or pleasure at any time this winter, keep in mind that you can grab a few hours of fishing if that appeals to you.

The Beaverhead closes the end of November from Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ Bridge.  From Pipe Organ down stream you can fish all winter.  The river is low and easily waded.  Fish small nymphs with weight under an indicator.