The Rivers Are on the Rise in the Butte and Bozeman Outdoor Report
By Matt Schauer

Posted: May 6, 2012

Hi, it’s ANGIE from Bob Ward & Sons…let’s see what the “experts” are saying about the waters around Butte & Bozeman!

The JEFFERSON, RUBY, BEAVERHEAD & BIG HOLE rivers have been rising steadily, & taking on some silt & mud…no surprises there! Casting & Spinning has remained solid tho, so pick up some darker-colored Panther Martins with bright Chartreuse or Orange spots for better visibility to the fish…or use a Cheese Marshmallow & a Crawler for the same attractant effect! Half Red/Half Brown Powerworms are a decent choice as well! Scuds or Sow Bugs in the 14-16 range have seen success on the BEAVERHEAD (shown in the photo above) for those of you Nymphing… Beadhead Nymphs are the ticket on the BIG HOLE…Attractor Nymphs or Midges have done the job on the RUBY…we advise maybe giving the JEFF a pass for a week if you want to fly fish, however! Leeches are still a GREAT go-to from the docks or shorelines of CLARK CANYON, or dip that Red/Brown Powerworm here as well!

We’ve got an in-store fishing delegation heading to HEBGEN LAKE this weekend from the Bozeman Bob Wards…we’ll give you a FULL report next week on how they did in the High, Cold Country! Meantime, this same team had some striking success on the LOWER MADISON last week, bringing up a 22” Rainbow in one case…no one got skunked, tho the fish weren’t all as big as the 22-incher! Streamers in yellows, whites & blacks were catching them here…a Yellow Fathead or a White Sculpin in sz 2 are definitely recommended! Fish ABOVE Taylor’s Fork on the GALLATIN for the clearest water, & stick with your BAETIS patterns here…the YELLOWSTONE near Livingston is about the best fishable stretch, & we’d go with streamers like a sz 2 Swimmin Jimmy Rainbow! The third weekend of May is the Creek Opener, and we hear HYALITE CREEK’s looking fantastic already…we’re getting anxious! Meantime, the Bozeman PONDS have been amazing, using those Zimmer Glo Jigs in yellow or pink we were crowing about a couple weeks ago! It’s perch heaven on the Ponds, but the Bluegill ought to be here soon!

Get your LIVE leeches, crawlers and maggots from Bob Wards, check out the BEST fishing gear going, & ask us where WE’VE been lately…you know we’ve got the most up-to-date info around! More next week!

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