Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report by Bob Ward & Sons (3.28.14)
By angelamontana

Posted: March 28, 2014

Hunting:    

  • Spring Turkey Season opens April 12th
  • Spring Black Bear opens April 15th
  • Hunter’s Safety classes are starting. Check out the schedules and sign up by visiting fwp.mt.gov.

Bozeman Fishing:

The Upper Madison is hit and miss.  Definitely use nymphs but on warmer days don’t be afraid to throw some dries, smaller sized stone flies and midges.

The Lower Madison has some fantastic fishing using smaller sized black stone flies and midges.  When the weather snaps to a warmer day there have been some early hatches. Best fishing is going to be towards the middle of the day when the temps are warmer.

The Gallatin has also been fishing well using baetis flies. Nymphing is still providing the best results.

The Yellowstone has been improving on the nicer weather days. For the fly fishers use small streamers and play the slower, deeper waters for some really nice browns. If you are a spin caster the smaller sized brown trout original rapala lure has been bringing in some nice sized fish.

Butte Fishing:

Open water and spawning trout are bringing out the fishermen in Southwest Montana. The lakes and reservoir have melting ice conditions which provides abundant open water fishing opportunities for spin fisherman and bait fishermen alike. Fly anglers are casting beadhead nymphs or stripping streamers and are hooking up with hungry trout cruising the shoreline for an available meal.

Clark Canyon Reservoir has open water along the eastern shoreline and northern bays. Georgetown reservoir is open around the pumphouse and Red Bridge fishing access site. The Ruby can be accessed in several areas as well.

The Beaverhead River is fishable below Pipe Organ and is giving up some trout to the Montana Pheasant Tail or Prince nymphs in size 14 or 16. The Jefferson is running high but clear this week and has been good fishing above the Waterloo bridge or in the Hell’s Canyon area.

The Big Hole River has been good between Jerry Creek and Dickey bridge.

Whitefish anglers are fishing bthe Dickey Bridge area with consistent success.

(Report by Ryan Corwin-Bob Ward & Sons)

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Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing