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

Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report by Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors (2.26.16)
By angelamontana

Posted: February 26, 2016

Bozeman Fishing:

Gallatin River

The Gallatin River continues to fish well and will only get better in the next few days with continued warmer temps for the area. Fishing has been especially good in middle area of the canyon and down toward big sky. The Gallatin down here in the valley has also been good with most fish still coming on nymph rig setups. Stonefly and bead head dropper rigs remain the most productive. Some folks have also started reporting of the streamer bite picking up as well.

Madison River: Lower

The warmer temps have brought with them better fishing on the lower Madison. The lower has really caught on fire the last couple of days. We have heard more reports of midge hatches lately, especially right below the dam and in Bear Trap Canyon. Nymphing has still been the most productive with small midges and pink scuds or Czech nymphs. San Juan and egg patterns in pinks and reds have also been producing fish on the lower lately as well.

Madison River: Upper

The Upper Madison has been fishing well the past few days and we have heard several reports of good fishing between Varney and Ennis, the fish are really concentrated in the slower deeper runs still in this section of the river. There has been some good midge fishing on the upper river around $3 Bridge and Raynolds, but be ready to deal with some snow up there. Small stonefly pattens have been best. You can try the egg and San Juan patterns here on the upper as well right now. We have heard some reports of some monsters being brought in on them.

Missouri River:

The Missouri continues to be a great winter fishing option this year. Warm temps of late have made for really good fishing conditions on the MO, but those warm temps also can mean high wind in the forecast. The wind can really crank up on the Missouri so be sure to keep an eye on it. On calmer days look for increasing numbers of midge hatches. Nymphing, as always, will be sure to account for lots of fish. Streamer fishing is also starting to pick up in the midday when water and air temperatures are the highest.

Yellowstone River:

Each day that we have seen some unseasonably warm weather, we have also seen some color added to the river. Yesterday in the valley it was glacial green but today it looks like there is some dirtier water up near Gardiner. Sometimes if there isn’t too much dirt, below Yankee Jim canyon will be cleaner. The fish are getting more active but are still feeding mostly on nymphs. Worms worked all weekend with the melt that that has been occurring. Various droppers work as the day progresses. Prince nymphs and small Rubberlegs were good in the morning but later they are feeding more on Midge and Baetis nymphs. By midafternoon a few fish are starting to go after emerging midges just under the surface.

 

Butte Fishing:

With warmer temperatures ice continues to thin be careful.

Fisherman are reporting the fishing to be slowing everywhere this week. Clark Canyon has been tough fishing for the past ten days. A few fish are being caught out in the deeper water near the island, and a few fish on the Red Rock end.

Delmo Reservoir has been reporting a few fish for bait fisherman this past week, however, reporting smaller fish.

Georgetown Lake reports fishing to be best early morning hours but slowing to a crawl by 8AM. The Ruby Reservoir has slowed as well. Bait is proving to land a few fish but fish size and numbers are down.

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