Great Spring skiing in the Butte and Bozeman Area Outdoor Report
By Matt Schauer

Posted: March 17, 2012

Hi, it’s ANGIE from Bob Ward & Sons, with MORE good winter fishin in the Butte & Bozeman areas!

First things first….time to get your new 2012 License at any of our fine Bob Wards stores, so HURRY IN before you head out to ice or open water! March 1 was the “official” renewal date, so don’t be caught without YOURS!

It’s a little SLUSHY on top of HYALITE from what we hear, but the enterprising angler can pull out some NICE brookies with a bit of diligence. Try South of the Boat Ramp in 30 ft or so of water….go pink or green on Glow Jigs with the worm of your choice! DELMOE also has a bit of SLUSH—wear your GAITERS!…but the Trout are biting on crawler-tipped Jigs…stick to Comers & Piney on GEORGETOWN for those Kokanee which are still plentiful, just tip your jig with a cocktail shrimp or some white corn! Head CLARK CANYON way for some nighttime LING fishing, we hear it’s been quite successful lately by the Dam or by the Big Island in 25-30 ft of water, using your cut bait of choice with a large Glow Jig! Use care when negotiating on ICE at any of these places…stay SAFE, folks!

The colder weather has increased the SLUSH and ICE in all the local rivers, so be careful but don’t let a little “weather” stop you! Just means it’ll be best to revert back to your NYMPHS and fish the DEEP & SLOWER runs. On the GALLATIN, try a Mega Hares Ear or a Golden Keystone in the sz 6 range…try a Brown San Juan or a Coffee Rubberlegs in an 8 on the LOWER MADISON…head to the BEAVERHEAD with your Dark Scuds or Sowbugs in a 10 or 12 (below Pipe Organ is the only place OPEN right now)…or fish the YELLOWSTONE with a Delektible Brownstone or a Purple Berger in the 12-size range! Stay out of the WIND, always a bit of a menace this time of year, & you’ll do fine. To avoid MOST of the icy/slushy conditions on these open waters, fish a bit later in the day…common sense, but we want you to be SAFE while you indulge your fishing passion!

You can’t go WRONG on the ski hills—BRIDGER BOWL is at 64” of the White Stuff now, & for a while there, I wasn’t sure WHEN I’d be able to report THAT, this winter! MOONLIGHT (shown in the picture above) is recommending you run the Headwaters Bowl today to avoid the crowds, & there’s plenty of snow falling right now, both there & at BIG SKY RESORT. DISCOVERY has SWEET conditions, 68” at the summit, light snow falling & NO WIND, always a plus!

When in the BUTTE STORE getting your 2012 license, pick up your tickets for the Skyline Sports Banquet on March 9th! This is always a fun event & you won’t want to miss it! Come chat us up in the BOZEMAN STORE for the latest & greatest fishing tips, & check out our newest Spring Arrivals! We’ll be happy to show you around! I’ll be back next week with MORE of the world’s best winter fishing!

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing