Bozeman/Butte Recreation Report by Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors (6.20.14)
By angelamontana

Posted: June 20, 2014

Hunting:    

Don’t forget if you didn’t draw your dream tag you still have a chance by buying a $5 supertag on sale until July 3rd.

Bozeman Fishing:

The Rivers are pretty muddy, high, and fast moving. If you venture out play it safe. Streamers and some nymphing is getting a little action but not much.

The Upper Madison, Lower Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone Rivers all are blown out or untested. You should look to other waters for the time being.

Hyalite seems to be the ticket. Feedback is that anglers are doing a sort of reverse dropper technique using the smaller nymphs like copper johns prince nymphs with stone flies and rubber legs as the dropper.

Lake Fishing is your best bet for a good time. Callibeatis have been really hot. Certainly try some stoneflies and chironomids.

Butte Fishing:

The Big Hole is blown out today after recent snows but has been fishing good this past week. Salomonflies are out and the fish are hungry between Divide launch and lower Maiden Rock. A few flies are being seen in the Canyon area but this storm may have put them down. Large Panther Martins and Rapalas are working well for the spin fisherman.

The Beaverhead River is fishing fair. Warm mornings have yielded smaller hatches. BWO’s or PMD’s are a good bet.

The Jefferson River is giving up some fish this spring, however, mostly Rainbow Trout. Small midge hatches on warmer days or barred legged Salmonfly Nymphs are flies of choice. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait on the Jefferson. Try a Panther Martin with Black Blade and green spots if you’re spin fishing.

Wooly Buggers should open up on Georgetown this week for successful fly angling. Damselfly Nymphs always a good bet as well.

Your Butte Bob Ward’s will begin selling Idaho fishing licenses soon. Make sure you stop in and pick one up on your way out of state.

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

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing