Steady Ice Fishing On Georgetown Lake: Butte and Bozeman Outdoor Report
By Matt Schauer

Posted: December 22, 2012

Hello, Angie here from Bob Ward & Sons, reveling in the White Christmas conditions over BUTTE & BOZEMAN way…

Brrrr…BOZEMAN’s chilly, & not expected to get into the 30’s, even, til after Christmas…no HEAVY snow in the forecast, tho, so that should keep you on the rivers! Reports say that the UPPER & LOWER MADISON & the YELLOWSTONE have the best fishing around, & if you add in the EAST GALLATIN, you have choices galore! The UPPER is fishing well between the lakes, & Nymphing a Hares Ear or a Pheasant Tail with a little lightning bug behind has been a good strategy. With ENNIS LAKE icing over, visibility on the LOWER MADDY’s better, so try a Deaddrifting Crayfish or a Black Beadhead Stone Pattern here! The YELLOWSTONE is producing with Golden or Brown Stones & Clousers Crayfish in the deep holes. The EAST GAL fish have liked slow stripping Streamers or a Worm trailed by a Midge Larva in the depths around the river bends. The GALLATIN is slushed up, unless you fish near the Big Sky junction where the water stays warmer…if you must go, take along Midge Pupa, Hothead Ray Charles, or Coffee Rubberlegs…& we got reports of some intrepid anglers testing out the ice on HYALITE, but we’re hearing it isn’t super-thick yet, maybe in the 5″ range…dusk or very early mornings have been the ticket at HYALITE!

Take a break & ski yourself some WICKED powder at Bridger Bowl this weekend…they are bragging of the best opening month they’ve had in years! They have a settled base of 45″, & have managed to rack up the powder in the past 48 hrs, so THIS might be a solid option if you are MOMENTARILY fished out!

BUTTE is pretty darn cold too, so ice conditions continue to improve at GEORGETOWN LAKE this week, & the fishing has been steady as a result! The bay areas around Denton’s Point or at Red Bridge are still fishing best, for rainbow hybrids or brookies. DELMOE anglers have reported success with Vertical Rapalla Jigs, Northland Tackle #3 Buckshot Spoons, or Chartreuse Glo Hooks tipped with maggots. CLARK CANYON reports 3-4″ of ice, stable but still a bit thin, with the points ALL being quite productive! Ice shelves & slush are present big-time on the BIG HOLE, with most folks giving it a rest til conditions improve! The BEAVERHEAD reports more open water & better clarity, so fish your Streamers with a little weight to them to compensate for the low condition of the river…otherwise, Nymph Scuds, Midges & Egg Patterns for best results. Haven’t heard much about the JEFFERSON, but expect some slush, with Nymphing being the safest bet…Midge Pupa, Bow River Buggers & San Juan Worms are always good staples.

Fish all day Saturday, then c’mon by the stores Sunday for excellent deals on Daiwa Spin Combos, Hodgman Waders & Glacier Glove Chest Packs….that’ll put you in the Christmas spirit! Speaking of, all of us at Bob Wards wish you a warm, safe & HAPPY Christmas, & you can count on me next week for more fishing adventures to close out good old 2012!

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