Hi, it’s ANGIE from Bob Ward & Sons…this is the weekend to fish Saturday and celebrate Mom on Sunday, & we’ve got conditions to die for in Butte & Bozeman!
I’m gonna rank the local rivers & lakes by “absolute BEST” to “absolutely SOLID”, cuz there just isn’t any poor fishing happening right now in our areas….water levels are tapered off just about everywhere, color is GOOD, & the weather is supposed to be about PERFECT (in the high 60’s & lower 70’s) with a bit of overcast on a couple days next week….WOW!
Absolute BEST waters right now are the LOWER MADISON, where the DRIES are stealing the show in areas where the top feeders in a stack are definitely seeing Mom’s Day Caddis as well as Baetis…we like a Para Caddis or Para Wulff in Olive or Grey…Next BEST are the YELLOWSTONE & the BEAVERHEAD…the Caddis are in full form, so go with an Elk Hair in Tan, or a Bloom’s Para Caddis at either place…We’d head to the GALLATIN or the BIG HOLE if the other 3 places don’t please you…I was just up the Canyon last weekend and the GAL is spring-green with very good water levels! You’ll want to focus on BWOs here, the ever-popular Lipstickbutt or a Para Wulff BWO are just what you want! Lastly, the JEFFERSON is decent, but not for DRIES at the moment…Crayfish, Rubberlegs and Bow River Buggers are the happening nymphs here….Nymphing is still rocking at all these rivers as well, with goldens, browns, & yellows being the colors of choice.
The wicked weather of last weekend kept our in-store anglers off HEBGEN LAKE, but they say they’re trying again this weekend, & from what we’ve heard, HEBGEN’s been producing just fine! The RUBY RESERVOIR is solid now, too…stick to the shorelines and pop in some Powerworms or Leeches for best results!
Just a week or so til HYALITE CREEK opens, along with the other creeks in our area (3rd weekend in May, don’t forget!)….and Memorial Day Weekend is the YELLOWSTONE PARK waters opener…the UPPER MADDY & FIREHOLE will be reporting soon. AH, the options are endless in this part of the State!
Bring MOM into the BUTTE or BOZEMAN Bob Wards & gift her with a new ladies fishing rod, waders and fishing apparel…we’ve got the best selection around, & she’ll appreciate it! Happy Mother’s Day to all, and as always, I’ll be around next week with more!
