Fishing

As usual in the Mountains of SW Montana, it is impossible to guess weather patterns.  The last four or five days have seen exceptionally warm weather for April.  As a result, many streams have come up substantially and gotten off color.  When that happens you must look for alternatives to the normal spring fishing.

The Big Hole, Jefferson, Ruby and Lower Beaverhead are all up and showing some color.   Fishing will slow down on these streams.   You need to think about fishing spring creeks and stillwater fisheries. 

Spring has arrived in the mountains of SW Montana.  That means streams can be influenced by snow melt coming out of the high country when daily temperatures rise.   If you are going to fish in Montana over the next 30 days understand that some trout streams will rise and become off color if we see a sustained period of higher temperatures or very hard rains.  However this does not mean that you need to be afraid of not finding good fishing during those periods.

Fishing is fantastic in SW Montana.  The weather has warmed to where it is very comfortable being on the river.  There are very few anglers on the water especially if you can fish on a weekday.  You probably will have the stream totally to yourself.

The Madison River south of Ennis has been on fire.  Fish stone fly  nymphs with a smaller bead head dropper.  Be sure to get right on the bottom with weight.  Water temperatures are still quite cold and the fish do not want to move far for the fly.

The ice is off most rivers and reservoirs in SW Montana.  It is time to clean you gear, organize your flies and get on the water.  In SW Montana the spring fishing is excellent.  Air temperatures are more consistently in the high forties and fifties and you can be comfortable with good waders, fleece clothing and a good rainjacket.

It is time to start reporting on fishing in SW Montana again.  The days are beginning to warm enough to encourage anglers to get back on the water.  Most streams in SW Montana are free of ice and the water temperatures warming enough to get the fish moving around.

Best Choices for mid winter and early spring fishing are:

As of the Christmas Holidays, snow packs in SW Montana are moderate.  This is a change from the 2011 season when we experienced very heavy snow packs which resulted in late runoff and difficult fishing on many of the larger freestone streams.  We expecting a more normal runoff season in 2012.  This means that on rivers like the Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead and Jefferson that you will see increased flows and some turbidity from about May 15th to the 10th of June.

As we approach the end of October most anglers begin to think about big game hunting, bird shooting, football or even skiing.  Well, don't put away your fly rods permanently.  You want to remember that in the Dillon/Twin Bridges area temperatures are usually more moderate than many other areas of Montana.  If you find yourself in this neck of the woods any time between now and the new year keep in mind that most waters remain open year around and fishing with nypmhs, streamers or even some dry midges you can enjoy a few hours of good fishing.

Believe it or not, Fall is actually here.  With the above average temperatures SW Montana has experienced it is difficult to believe we are into October.  Despite the hot, bright days, the fishing is still very good in the Twin Bridges/Dillon area.

The Jefferson continues to be hot and cold.  You can find fish on the surface with hoppers in the afternoon and under the right conditions you will find some trico and bwo action.  When we get clouds the streamer fishing is very good.

Despite very warm daytime temperatures and gorgeous sunny days, it is fall in SW Montana.  You can expect to find more activity from larger brown trout as they move into their spawning mode.  The willows, streamside vegetation and cottonwoods along the rivers are all beginning to show fall colors.  Fishing pressure has dropped off dramatically. 

September has been exceptionally warm and fishing conditions continue to mimic August.  You should find plenty of terrestrial fishing on most SW Montana streams.  Flows are varied on area rivers but generally fishing has been good.