Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report Bob Ward's Sports and Outdoors

Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report by Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors (5.8.15)
By angelamontana

Posted: May 8, 2015

Spring Hunting

Spring turkey is winding down soon but bear season continues for a few more weeks. Bob Ward’s is stocked with ammo, decoys, and everything you need for the end of season push. Plus, our Red Tag gun sale is still going with massive discounts!

Deer B, Elk B, and Antelope applications are due by June 1st.

Don’t forget to purchase your Super Tags before July 2nd for the chance to be drawn for a hunt of a lifetime!

Results for Bull Elk and Buck drawings are now available at www.fwp.mt.gov

 

Bozeman Fishing report early May

Runoff is about to be in full swing with snowpack melting and rivers rising.

Yellowstone River- Blown out, running high and fast probably not the best bet for a while, till flows settle down and water clarity improves.

Madison River- Water releases from Ennis Lake have been frequent, with more and more water being let out. Fishing has been good. Dry fly action in the afternoons has produced good fishing with Blue Winged Olives and Gray/Olive caddis emerging, so try olive mayfly patterns and elk hair caddis. Smaller stoneflies such as yellow sallies are starting to show up, with bigger stoneflies on the way. Reports from the upper Madison have been good, with many bugs out and about. Fishing between the lakes has been lights out but is getting crowded. For nymphs try black, gold, and brown gurdle bugs, San Juan Worms, Lighting bugs, Rainbow Warriors, pheasant tails, hares ears, micro mayflys, soft hackles, prince nymphs, annelids, rock worms, leeches, RS2’s, Zebra midges, and scuds.

Gallatin River: Blown out, running high fast and dirty

Canyon Ferry: Rainbows going crazy, big fish cruising the banks, bank fishing has been terrific!

Missouri River: A good bet when other rivers are blown out. Reports have been good with great dry fly action around Craig. Upper Missouri is fairly dirty, but land of the giants and below Colter have been producing good fishing. Mostly blue winged olives and midges with caddis, and smaller stones starting to become more active. Try fishing lighter tippets with smaller bugs for picky fish.

 

Butte Fishing:

The Big Hole River is seeing some hatch activity this past week. PMD’s and Light Cahill are good flies. A dropper prince nymph or San Juan worm is working very well also. Panther Martin #6 or #9 is very effective in a multitude of patterns.

The Wise River was fishing well to Purple Prince Nymphs and Purple Batman. The brookies and cutthroat both enjoyed those bugs. We caught 2 trout on Barr-legged Golden Stone fly nymphs.

Delmo reservoir has been slow to lures and fly fisherman. A few trout are being caught on nightcrawlers with orange garlic marshmallows.

The Beaverhead River is fishing well for fly fishermen and spin fishermen alike. The browns are hungry as water temps warm.

The Jefferson has been hot between Hells Canyon and Silverstar. We were catching about 50% Rainbow to Brown trout.

(Report by Ryan Corwin-Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors)

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing