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

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

Posted: May 22, 2015

Bozeman Fishing:

Hyalite Reservoir and Creek: Both the creek and reservoir are open and fishing should be great, fly fishing the creek with small terrestrials such as beetles and ants are always a good option! Small stoneflies, caddis, and mayflies are all out and about so try elk hair caddis, stimulators, and parachute adams. For subsurface try small nymphs such as pheasant tails, hares ear, lightning bugs, rainbow warriors, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and san juan worms. Spin fishing the lake should be lights out with fish cruising the banks, use panther martins, rooster tails, and blue foxes. Gulp and powerbait will get the job done too!

Madison River: Runoff season is here so watch the weather to see how water clarity will be, don’t be surprised if the upper gets blown out. The upper sections are open and fishing very well, with stones, caddis, and mayflies all active. Streamer fishing is always a good bet for those big browns and bow’s so try some big articulated flies such as sex dungeons and swimming jimmys. For the most part the bigger stoneflies such as golden stones and salmonflies along with bigger terrestrials (hoppers) are not out yet but are on the way. Mayflies such as Blue Winged Olives are always a great option along with purple haze flies. Dry dropper rigs are always effective and a good way to cover water. The lower Madison has been fishing well with water clarity varying.

Yellowstone River: Blown out, fish some place else

Gallatin River: The Gallatin has been hit or miss mostly due to run off. During the spouts of colder weather, the water clarity has improved improving the fishing. For the most part the Gallatin is in runoff and not the best place for the moment.

Missouri River: Runoff has made its way to the Missouri, rain has been clouding up the river but when weather improves so does the water clarity and fishing. Land of the Giants has been fishing well along with Craig producing good days. Mayflies, Caddis, and stones are all out, but the best dry fly fishing has been with mayflies. Streamer fishing has been good on cloudy days, with big fishing feeding aggressively.

 

Butte Fishing:

The Beaverhead is fishing fair below Pipe Organ this week. Saw Bugs and PMD’s are a good bet for the fly anglers. Panther Martin Spinners or a Mepps Aglia (sz3) are all great choices for a spin anglers. This Saturday will be the opener on the Beaverhead below the spillway and the entire Big Hole River and tributaries.

Clark Canyon has been fair fishing for weighted line rigs and bank fisherman alike.

The Big Hole is fishing fair for Streamers and dries. March Browns and Blue winged Olives are a great choice upstream from Divide. Small caddis hatches are showing up below Melrose. Size 6 Panther Martin spinners in a variety of colors are working well. Gold patterns are a good choice.

The Jefferson River is seeing some surface activity this past week. PMD’s March Browns and Golden Stone Nymphs are good choices.

Homestake Lake will be stocked for the annual Father’s day fishing event. It’s a great opportunity to spend some time with your kids teaching them to fish.

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

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