Hunting (Both)

The snow is working its way lower and lower. It is time to get out your camo and see if it is weather ready. Be “not seen” in new camo from your favorite hunting brands, we have it all.

With several seasons opening just around the corner we recommend stopping in and looking at our big game calls. The elk can tall when you’re using last seasons call…

Pheasant season opens October 12th and the dogs have spent the off season indulging in to many milk bones. Get them out and ready to hunt those birds with training aids from Bob Ward’s.

There have been a few elk and deer taken during archery season, good job to all of you! Archery wraps up October 20th so I don’t have to tell you to get in those trips while the gettings good!

Waterfowl hunters: The season is open and off to a great start. Bob Ward’s has ammo on sale now! Check the weather in your target area and hope for favorable conditions.

Elk hunters: For elk hunters think snow and more snow. Montana’s general, five-week long, elk hunting season opens Oct. 26. Montana’s elk populations are in good shape-even as predation by wolves has contributed to some depressed elk populations in parts of western and southwestern Montana. Once again this season, Montana hunters will pursue elk under some very favorable regulations but, as ever, the weather will play a big part in hunter success. With some good old fashioned cold and snow it could be a banner year for elk. Read the full article here: http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/hunting/nr_2015.html

Deer hunters: On the upside, FWP wildlife biologists are reporting better fawn production and survival in many areas. Like other big game hunting, a nice cold front with plenty of snow should lead to some good hunting this season. On the downside, reports of another spotty outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease-a fatal virus in deer that’s caused by biting insects-are coming in from across Montana.

Read the full article here: http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/hunting/nr_2016.html

Antelope hunters: Even as populations begin a slow rebound, hunters in Montana will have to work hard to bag an antelope again this season in many areas. Read the full article here: http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/hunting/nr_2014.html

• Antelope and pheasant start on October 12th.
• Deer Youth is October 17-18.
• Deer and Elk general season will be starting on October 26th

Bozeman Fishing

Fish are changing color and are preparing for their spawning runs. You will have to be creative and work harder to entice them.

Streamers and nymphing is the best bet in most areas. A good combination is to use is hoppers with droppers. Good dropper choices are caddis pupae, baetis nymph, and copper johns. Terrestrials are still working well when sticking with smaller ants and beetles.

Upper Madison– Use zonkers and crayfish with a small baetis nymph dropper. Streamers have been working very well. Keep an eye out for the baetis hatch.

Lower Madison– Hoppers in a variety of sizes and colors are working wonders. Definitely use the hopper dropper combo to switch things up and entice the fish.

Yellowstone– Nymphing is the best route to go here. Use woolly buggers with a smaller nymph dropper. Mayflies are hit and miss.

Gallatin– Use smaller flies (caddis, mayfly, and attractors), streamers, and try nymphing with worms and rubber legs.

Butte Fishing

The Hell’s Canyon area of the Jefferson River was fishing well this week for catch and release Rainbows. The fish were hitting for large Prince Nymphs and October caddis. If you want Browns they were plentiful north of the Silver Star Bridge. A size 5 brown and Gold Jointed Rapala won out the day, successfully hooking up a Creel limit.

The hybrid rainbow are reacting well to the cooler temperatures of Georgetown Lake showing an increasing appetite for Garlic Marshmallows and nightcrawlers. Denton’s Point is one of the hot spots for these hungry trout. The Red Bridge area has been good fishing for Powerbait and copper spoons.

The Big Hole river is great for spawning brookies north of Dickey Bridge. Beadhead Nymphs are showing the most activity below the surface. Panther Martin lures in gold/red holographic blades were the spinner of choice.

The Beaverhead River has been hot below Pointdexter Slough. Gold Panther Martin lures or Mepps Aglia fished under willows along the bank will provide all the action you want for an afternoon. Clark Canyon reservoir has been steadily giving up 3.5 to 5 pounders for bait fishermen.

(Report by Ryan Corwin-Bob Wards; Cover photo: flyfishingthewestwithhoward.blogspot.com)