Fishing Report
Monday, Dec 19, 2011
Mid Winter report
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.
Keep in mind that if you are in Montana over the next few months, you can fish many of the streams of SW Montana year around. Pick your days when the temperatures are in the high 30's or warmer with very little wind. You can enjoy some terrific winter fishing with nymphs and even an occassional small dry fly on the surface.
Monday, Oct 31, 2011
Late Fall Fishing in SW Montana
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.
The Madison is an excellent winter fishery. Open from Quake Lake to Ennis bridge year around. Use indicators and very small nymphs deep. We like the midge nymph patterns such as brassies and zebra midges.
The Big Hole will freeze over for much of the winter but if you do have a few warm days where the ice clears you can catch fish. Normally the lower end of the river opens first.
The Beaverhead is closed from the Dam to Pipe Organ beginning the end of November. From Pipe Organ down you still will find lots of open water and enjoyable nymph fishing.
Ice fishing on Clark Canyon Reservoir is outstanding. Be sure it is safe before venturing out on the ice.
A number of spring creeks like Poindexter Slough are open year around and can be very fun in the late fall or winter.
Have a good off season and we will begin regular reports when the weather begins to warm in March.
Monday, Oct 03, 2011
Real Fall 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.
The Beaverhead is finally dropping a bit. It is still running 900 cfs at Barrett's Diversion but this is an improvement. Nymph fishing is very good with bead heads size 14 and 16. We like anything with some flash on it. If you enjoy streamer fishing be sure to fish buggers into the banks on the Beav.
The Lower Madison below Ennis Lake is fishing well. Nymphs and streamers are the order of the day. The Madison above Ennis is still erratic. I would start to think about fishing this section of the river as it normally improves with the coming of fall.
The Big Hole is good. Tricos for the dry fly fisherman. Fish parachute adams and trico spinners off the back as a dropper. You may still find some hopper or attractor fly fishing with big dries but I would fish them with bead head droppers.
Clark Canyon is excellent. As always the midge fishermen with indicators are doing well. You can also fish streamers and catch some beautiful browns and rainbows.
The Ruby is clear and in great shape from the top to the bottom. Above the reservoir you should fish attractor dries with droppers. Below the Ruby dam you will find a mix of nymph, streamer and dry fly fishing.
Get out and enjoy these gorgeous fall days. We know they are not going to last too much longer!!
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011
Fall Fishing in SW Montana
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.
The Beaverhead is still very high but with nymphs and streamers you can do quite well. We like the heavily weighted wooley buggers and zonker patterns fished with floating lines. If you are nymphing use an indicator and get deep with plenty of weight. The usual bead head patterns in sizes 14 and 16 will work well.
The Big Hole is beginning to rise with the irrigation demands decreasing. Some dry fly fishing still available on the Big Hole. Drop a nymph off the back of a big attractor dry or even a hopper.
The Madison south of Ennis remains a mystery. Fishing is inconsistent but will pick up we expect with the onset of fall.
The Jefferson should be fished this fall. It has been very consistent through September. Some dry action in sections with hoppers, nymph droppers and streamers.
The Ruby will still fish well with streamers and nymphs in the morning and some scattered hopper fishing in the afternoons.
Clark Canyon Reservoir is good stripping olive streamers or fishing midge patterns off an indicator. This is a great chance to catch fish from 20" to 24". Don't shy away from it.
Get out and enjoy these beautiful fall days!!
Sunday, Sep 11, 2011
Early Fall Fishing
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.
The Beaverhead is still quite high due to the excessive snow melt this past spring. Clark Canyon Reservoir is over full and has to be pulled down in anticipation of the 2012 runoff season. Fishing is stead but you must fish deep with nymphs for the most part. Bead heads like the Lightening bug, micro may fly and red fox squirrel in sizes 14 all work well. Use plenty of weight with your indicators.
The Big Hole is pretty low now and can only be floated with a raft. You can wade it quite well if you know the access points to reach the river. Dry dropper combinations are best. Attractor dries and hoppers with bead head nymphs work well. You will find trico hatches starting about mid morning.
The Jefferson is in beautiful shape for this time of year. It will fish well with a mixed bag of nymphs, streamers and hoppers. You may find some fish feeding on tricos too.
The Madison has been the mystery river this fall. It is inconsistent. With the nights cooling off and the river coming up just a little we may see things improve on that river. We suggest dead drifting stone fly nymphs and bead heads in combination.
The Ruby is in great shape now. You can catch fish with small streamers in the mornings and then go to hoppers in the afternoon.
Clark Canyon Reservoir continues to be an option you don't want to skip if you like larger fish. Streamers and midge nymphs both produce fish.