Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report by Bob Ward & Sons (2.28.14)
By angelamontana

Posted: March 1, 2014

Hunting:
Mark your calendars. The elk and deer special permits are due March 15th.
We have the forms and abridged regulations for the March 15th drawing for the deer and elk special permits. Spring turkey starts April 12th. Gear Up!

Bozeman Fishing:
If you missed your chance at a Smith River application you can purchase a Super Permit Lottery through March 20th for another opportunity. Each lottery ticket is $5 and can be purchased at any FWP office or Bob Ward’s.

The Yellowstone River has the poorest fishing right now with the Upper Madison a bit better. If you want to see some action, go to the Gallatin and Lower Madison Rivers but pay attention to the conditions. If the rivers slush up it wont be much fun. Target the slower waters with nymphs like stone flies, baetis nymphs, and egg patterns. The prime flies vary from one area to the next. You can try some streamers and flies but the best option is going to be nymph fishing. Definitely try a larger pattern on top and drop a smaller nymph off it. Some good combos are stonefly patterns with a smaller baetis dropper, crayfish or sculpin with a bh prince nymph, egg pattern, or pheasant tail dropper.
Hyalite- two inch flasher jig with a 3 inch tear dropper jig with worms. Best colors to use are pink and orange.
Bozeman Pond-flipper tear drop jig tipped with maggots in chartreuse.

Butte Fishing:
Ice fishing activity in Southwest Montana has stepped up again with the recent cold snap. Ice conditions are good on most reservoirs.

Clark Canyon has been fishing fair for trout with a few ling still taking bait.

Georgetown has slowed for salmon. However, rainbow and brook trout are taking vertical jigs and glo hooks with maggot combinations.

Silver salmon, ling, and walleye activity has been good up north near Canyon Ferry and tributaries.

The key to a successful day anywhere is to locate the fish and the depth at which they are biting.

(Report by Ryan Corwin-Bob Ward & Sons)

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing