Please check the fishing regulations before fishing.
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Jefferson River Fishing info by Fins and Feathers (December 3, 2024)
2/5
This small weather window to finish out this week is probably gonna be the last solid week to get out and fish Montana’s Jefferson River. This warmer weather could get a few fish into the mood to chase some streamers. However if you’re looking for numbers nymphing the deep slow runs and buckets will be the name of the game.
The nymph menu is pretty basic, anglers have been doing well fishing a red San Juan worm to a small perigon style nymph size 14-18 in dark or flashy colors. For streamer selection keep it on the smaller side, Mini Dungeons in black and olive or a rusty trombone are some go to flies. Use a heavy sink tip line and really focus on the slow runs and bends.
Once winter fully takes its hold the Jefferson ices over making it a non option to fish so get out there while we still can!
Hell Creek General Recreation Information (December 4, 2024)
Click here: www.HellCreekRecreation.comCLICK HERE for Hell Creek webcam.
Gallatin River Fishing Report via Fins and Feathers (December 1, 2024)
3/5
The weather is looking great for fishing Montana’s Gallatin river this week, temps will be in the low forties with low wind until next weekend. Nymph fishing is going to be the most productive option, however keep an eye out for some sporadic midge or blue wing olive hatches on the overcast days.
The canyon stretch on the Gallatin close to Big Sky will be a great section for nymph fishing. Try a small stonefly pattern in black or tan size 12-14 to a Perdigon style fly. We like dark colors for our Perdigons (black or olive). Starting with your indicator set 5’ above your first fly is a good starting point. Focus on the deep slow runs and add some split shot a foot above the top fly to make sure you are getting down quickly.
If you run into a small dry fly hatch try a basic midge pattern like a Peacock Cluster size 16-20 or a BWO Sparkle Dun size 14-18. This week will likely be the last good chance for some short dry fly sessions. The Gallatin river will remain a good option through the winter to dial in your nymph fishing skills.
You can get an idea of the water conditions in the Big Sky area by viewing this webcam, hosted by our friends at Montana Whitewater.
Yellowstone River Fishing Report by Bozeman Fly Supply (December 4, 2024)
Fishing on the Yellowstone is finally starting to slow down with the cooler temperatures, and pretty much all the good reports we have been hearing from the Yellowstone river have been from Carters bridge to Livingston. Fishing has been more consistent with nymphs and streamers as of late with stoneflies, worms, eggs, prince nymphs, green machines, hare’s ears, bead baetis, blowtorch’s, and Duracell’s having the spotlight. Dry fly fishing can also be a good option too with midges being key. For dry flies, if you see fish rising we would throw a buzzball or a griffith’s gnat. As far as streamers go, some of the bigger flies have been working better for us with the double gonga, sex dungeon, Drunk and Disorderly, Schultz’y sculpin, Sluggo’s, and swim coach’s being our best flies as of late.
Suggested Fly Patterns
- Dry FlySweetgrass Hopper (8), Henneberry hopper grey (12), Thunder Thighs hopper Yellow/Tan (10), Donkey Kong hopper pink/tan (10-12) Parachute Adams (16-20), Purple Haze (16-18), Buzz Ball (14-16), Corn fed Caddis (14-16), X-Caddis (14-16), Parachute PMD (14-16), Extended Body PMD (14-16), Larimer’s Yellow Sally (12-14), Water Walker (8-12), Chubby Chernobyl (8-16)
- StreamerWoolly Bugger (4-12), Ditch Witch Black/red/purple/ Yellow/white(2), Mini Peanut Envy Black/Yellow/Tan (6) Mini Dungeon Black/purple /Olive/Yellow (6), Montana Intruder (4), Sparkle Minnow JJ’s/Silver/Sculpin (4-8), Double Gonga Black/Rainbow (4), Sculpzilla Black/White/Olive (4-8), Seasoned Geezer Gold/Natural/Olive (6)
- NymphPat’s Rubber Legs (6-12), Zirdle Bug (6-12), Perdigon Blue/Purple/Pearl (14-18), Jig thread Frenchie Brown/yellow (14-18), CDC Pheasant Tail (10-18), Jigster PMD (14-18), Formerly Known Prince Nymph (10-18), BH Hare’s Ear (12-18), Sizzlin’ Hot Squirrel (14-16), Matt’s Shagadelic Mop Tan/Brown/Chartreuse/Cheeto (10)
Flint Creek Fishing Report by Flint Creek Outdoors (November 23, 2024)
With the cold weather parts of Flint Creek are starting to freeze up. Get out there while you still can! Nymphing and streamers are the way to go with the cool temps. No need to get out there early at all.
Please respect all private property and fishing signs. At the corral on the Johnson Tuning Fork spot if the sign is up please find another spot to access.
See below for our tips on fishing Flint Creek near Philipsburg, Montana.
Here are a few tips for fly fishing Flint Creek:
1. Try nymphing in deep pools or under the banks.
2. Fish a single dry on the bank or the bubble lines.
3. Try swinging a streamer or a soft hackle through the ripples.
Here are a few fly suggestions:
1. Kreelex – Gold and Copper size 6
2. TJ Hooker – Brown and Black size 12
3. TJ Hooker – Tan and Brown size 12
4. PMD, size 12-14
5. Jig Frenchie – size 14,16
6. Spanish Bullet – black size 14,16
7. Pheasant Tail Nymph size 16-20
Flows and looking ahead:
Flow: 57 cfs at the time of publishing this report
Here is a link to the Flint Creek USGS Water Information.
Stop by the shop in Philipsburg for the latest report and for everything you need for your trip. We are open Thursday through Monday 7am-4PM and 7am-11am Tuesday and Wednesday. Tight lines!
Beaver Creek Reservoir (South of Havre) Ice Report (December 4, 2024)
There is 4 inches of ice there
Southwest Montana Fishing Overview by Montana Angler (December 4, 2024)
Winter is here on our local rivers near Bozeman and Big Sky. Check out a recent blog post on Winter Fly Fishing Tips That Go Beyond Just Dressing Warm and then go fishing! That doesn’t mean we have hung up the waders and the rods until March. In fact, many of our rivers can fish quite well in winter…just have to pick wisely and fish at the appropriate times. Rivers like the Yellowstone and Madison can fish well in winter, but the comfort factor of staying warm and functionable in cold conditions often dictates how good the fishing can be–if you are comfortable and can fish through the cold and are prepared for it, you should find some success.
Most local Bozeman fly fishing guides, if not all of them, have stored their boats for the winter and are spending time exploring local waters on foot. Winter is a good time to fish a river a little more intimately. Because trout are going to be in deeper and slower pools, fishing more thoroughly in a long slow run will be the best tactic. Fly fishing in winter isn’t meant to be rushed. It is a time to slow down, enjoy the environs, and treat the fish as a bonus. With winter now fully set-in here in Montana nearly all dry fly fishing is over except for the random right-place, right-time midge action. Check out some of our blogs that cover winter fly fishing: Winter Fly Fishing Options Around Bozeman, 5 Tips to Improve Your Fly Fishing with Streamers, and Winter Fly Fishing in Montana: The Only Flies You Will Ever Need.
Overview
Most of our fishing guides have put up the oars for the season but as long as the snow doesn’t fall too deep or the temps get too cold, there is still fishing to be had. Most likely you can have the river to yourselves as mostly only local anglers are left on the water and even then a good portion of them are out chasing 4 legged creatures to fill the freezer. By and large the program will be nymphing as well as some streamer action. If you get the right day some dry fly action can be had.
On a mild winter day you might be lucky enough to run into some rising trout feeding on midges. Even freestone streams like the Gallatin will produce some sporadic midge hatches. If the hatch isn’t too strong dries that imitate single midges are more productive such as a palomino pattern. On tailwaters like the Missouri River the midge hatches in the winter can be thick in the late morning and the insects will cluster together so many of the patterns such as the Griffiths gnat that imitate these “rafts” of insects can out produce single insect patterns.
Hatches
Most, if not all, of the hatches are done for the season. As the water temps gradually get colder and colder, expect the intensity of the hatch to dwindle. Midges are going to be the only hatch of the next several months. On most freestone rivers the trout are going to eat subsurface rather than rise to midges. The exception to this is on the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig where the tailwater fishery can produce some excellent midge hatches on a warm December day.
Fly selection
With the onset of winter the fish will take advantage of the still somewhat warmer water temps and feed heavily at times to get that last bit of bulk on before they go into maintenance mode. So fish your largish attractor nymphs like sculpins, rubber legs, worms, leeches, eggs, crayfish, etc. with confidence. But don’t forget about small mayfly nymph patterns or midge larvae and pupa patterns as well. A Zebra midge is a great option for fly fishing the Upper Madison River in May.
Beadhead Little Green Machines in olive or natural in sizes 16 to 22
Firebead or hot bead SJ wormies in sizes 8-12
Beadhead Perdigons in natural, olive, peacock, black, in sizes 16 to 22
Sawyer Pheasant Tails in sizes 16 to 22
Home Invaders in darker/contrasting colors in size 2 – 10
Sculpzillas in black, olive, or brown in size 2- 10
Sparkle Minnows in a variety if colors in size 2 – 10
Your favorite go-to streamer pattern
Reading water
Streamflows can vary by river in winter in the Bozeman and Big Sky areas. Check your water temps via the river reports page as temps can vary from location to location by quite a lot depending on where the water is coming from, ie. the high country, a dam, low elevation spring creek, etc. This can help you determine the most likely place the fish will be holding. A good general rule in winter is that most fish will be holding deeper and slower runs and holes compared to fall or summer. Where the fish are holding, and feeding, is the most important aspect of fishing during the winter months.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report by Yellowdog Fly Fishing (December 4, 2024)
Flow Data: Missouri River below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek, MT
A little bit of a “heat wave” in Craig this week. Moderate wind too. Just crazy. Nymphing will still be hot, but it will be tough to keep the ice out of your guides. Dry fly action has dropped off. Some fish may rise to midges if you are lucky. If you find fish rising and present them with a Parachute Adams, or midge cluster, or Griffith’s Gnat. Tailwater Sowbug is tough to beat now. A scud will work too. Midges will also probably work. Worms will work all winter. Swinging soft hackles has given way to bugger, small streamers and leeches. Doesn’t hurt to try a streamer. Smaller will be better. Buggers. Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, or Skiddish Smolts are also excellent choices.
Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp Fishing Report (November 18, 2024)
Koocanusa- Rainbows hitting well, try large flies or plugs behind planer boards. Rexford to long bridge.
Flathead Lake- Good numbers of Lake Trout being caught. Troll large spoons or plugs in 29-40’ of water. Also try casting spoons or swimbaits along rocky shorelines. Areas to try, Woods Bay, West Shore, Shelter Island, Bird or Finley Points.
Ashley Lake- Troll shore lines with small Rapala’s or flickershads for trout.
McGregor Lake- Jugging 30-60’ for lake trout with small tubes or gulp minnows. Troll shorelines for rainbows.
Echo Lake- Still catching bass deep 20-35’ with swimbaits or drop shots.
Flathead River- Excellent whitefish action still going, Columbia Falls to Old Steel Bridge, also good cutts and a few rainbows.
Flathead Fishing Report by the Macman at Zimmer Tackle (October 10, 2024)
–No new report–Fishermen:
Mack days is until NOv. 3rd
Lake trout being caught in Blacks Point, Rocky Point
60 to 180 feet.
Perch good in Elmo
Bird staging to spawn (Lake Trout) in one week good fishing.
Small mouth in Flathead River below the bridge in 25 feet of water
with a Rattle D Zastor with a twister tail
Good Fishing
The macman
Flathead Valley Fishing Report by Snappy’s Sport Senter (November 30, 2024)
- Flathead Lake – Finding some steady lake trout off Westshore State Park. Mostly trolling and jigging around 60′-80′ down.
- Flathead River – The whitefish bite is still going strong at Columbia Falls bridge and Old Steel Bridge.
- Swan Lake – Decent Laker bite jigging 40′-60′ down with tubes and cut bait.
- McWenneger Slough – Seeing Ice trying to form. Not Safe!
- Smith Lake – Ice trying to form, Not Safe!
- Rogers Lake – Ice forming, Not Safe!
- Dog Lake – Ice forming, Not Safe!
- Ice Is Forming, BUT No Safe Ice to Report Yet
Bozeman Fishing Reports (December 3, 2024)
Winter is coming in hot to the Bozeman Montana area! Fingers crossed for a long snowy winter to make for a great 2025 season! That being said there will be some winter fishing opportunities on Montana’s Rivers in the Bozeman area.
The name of the game in the winter will be nymph fishing for the most part. Sticking with a fairly basic winter fly menu. San juan worms and rubber legs will be staple top fly patterns, we are dropping small dark perdigon style droppers of those tops flies. The canyon section on the Gallatin River will be a good nymphing option for the winter.
It’s possible we will see some sporadic dry fly hatches in the next month as well as the later half of the winter. Wait for the warmer overcast days before you dig your dry fly box out. The Lower Madison can be a good section for dry flies.
Kootenai River Fishing Report by Linehan Outfitting (November 5, 2024)
–No new report–
This Kootenai River Montana fishing report is being brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Linehan Outfitting. This report will be updated weekly to provide current conditions, weather, hatches, patterns, and flows to our local waters and across the state.
Flows from Libby Dam: 4000cfs
Water temperature at Libby Dam: 42 degrees
Hatches: midge, baetis
patterns: zebra midge, parachute Adams, parachute pmd, Rosenbauer’s olive rabbit foot emerger, purple haze, purple chubby, red chubby, olive sparkle dun,bh prince, soft SJ worm, bh pheasant tail, bh rubber legged stonefly, big streamers in white, pink and olive, circus peanut, black conehead buggers
It’s not quite spring up here in Kootenai River country but we have good news. Flows from Libby Dam have been reduced and will be stable at 4000cfs through the end of March for now. That means there’s some great early season fishing available right now.
Expect more clammy cloudy weather through the weekend and into next week. March continues to come in like a lion and we’ve yet to see the lamb. Rain and snow mix will dominate forecast. Fortunately daytime temps will ooch into the forties which is at least a small sign of spring around here.
At the moment the river is clear and in good shape. Don’t expect much in the way of dry fly fishing and insect activity until we get some substantially warmer daytime temperatures. The water is still cold but trout will start to feed a bit in the coming weeks.
This is always a good time of year for nymphing. With low flows you don’t need a heavy rig. You just need to get the flies down in softer runs and pools where trout are most likely to be holding this time of year. Don’t spend a ton of time fishing fast riffles.
Streamer fishing is also productive this time of year especially since bigger fish will be hungry after laying low for a couple months during the dead of winter. Keep in mind they will not necessarily want to move too fast or too far to get a meal. Get your streamers down and fish them slowly and erratically. Nothing like a wounded minnow to get a big rainbow interested in at least a sniff.
In Boston Red Sox news, it’s PLAY BALL! After several weeks of a lockout the players union owners have finally come to an agreement. Spring training will start immediately and while opening day was and remains delayed until April 7, the season will still be 162 games. For now the Sox have managed to keep essentially the same playoff roster they had last season. Infielders Dalbec, Arroyo, Bogaerts, and Devers are key players. In the outfield Jackie Bradley Jr. has returned to Boston and Kike Hernandez and Verdugo will anchor the deep green. Ace Chris Sale will hopefully be healthy and other starters from last year will hopefully pick up where they left off in October. Go Sox!!!
Give a call anytime if you need more Kootenai River details or information on any of our hunting or fishing adventures. And please check out our e-commerce site for all Linehan Outfitting branded swag and Orvis gear. https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/
We look forward to hearing from you. 406-295-4872
Gallatin River Fishing Report by Montana Angler (December 4, 2024)
Winter fly fishing in the Big Sky and Bozeman area on the Gallatin River is as consistent as any winter fishery as any in the area. Additionally, the flows on the Gallatin River in winter are low, which means the fish are concentrated in the deeper runs, pockets, and holes. Because the Gallatin River is low you will need to cover a lot of water when you fish. If you fish a deep run or hole and catch a few fish, consider moving up to the next run or hole. With the low and clear flows on the Gallatin River right now fishing subsurface is the best way to get into fish at the moment.
The Gallatin is low and gin clear right now. The fish are starting to stack up in the slower slicks and runs with some depth and slow to medium speed currents. Nymphing has been most productive most of the day with smaller baetis patterns offering the most productivity. Egg patterns are also producing in wake of the whitefish spawn and before the brown trout spawn. On mild days we have observed some decent midge hatches that are bring a few trout to the surface so bring some small midge dries just in case.
Choose tandem nymph rigs with flies in the size 18-22 range. See the list of flies below for the best choices. With the low, clear water for success you will need to drop down in tippet sizes so you are getting a better drift. Many anglers are going to 9 foot 5X leaders with 5X fluorocarbon for their tippets. Trout are being found in the 5-6 feet deep medium fast runs during most of the day. Be sure to read one of our latest blog posts on choosing the best leader for fishing.
The Gallatin is low and clear and is fishing well for most of its length. The ice shelves are still at bay on the lower water and the river in the valley is still fishing well. Mild days are even producing some risers over the midge hatch. Nymphing is the best bet and it pays to skip a lot of water and jump from one deep run to another. Look for steady currents that aren’t too strong but still enough to bring food to trout. Slow water that is 3-6 feet deep and located just below a riffle is always a good bet. Nymphing stone fly nymphs trailed by a baetis nymph or midge larva is a good bet but egg patterns and worms are also good flies to try.
The Month Ahead:
The Gallatin River near Big Sky and Bozeman fishes well all winter. Don’t mess with the fast water as the fish will have moved into the slower and deeper runs. There are several springs near the Big Sky junction that keep the upper canyon waters ice free and this is a great place to fish in the colder months. During cold snaps the valley waters develop slush and big ice shelves. If you find icy conditions just keep driving upstream towards Big Sky. Upstream of Big Sky ice is also a problem so the 15-20 miles from Big Sky down is the best on the coldest days. Nymphing smaller patterns and eggs is the big producer.
Flies for the Gallatin River for the Next Month:
Lightening Bugs in sizes 16-18
Juju baetis in black or olive in sizes 18-20
Firebhead or hotbead SJ worms in sizes 12-16
Sawyer PTs in sizes 18-22
Zebra Midges in black, red, or olive in sizes 18-22
Pheasant Tails in sizes 16-20
Little Spankers in sizes 18-20
Pat’s Rubberlegs in sizes 12-14
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The info above will be the forecast for most of the winter. Once March hits, the Gallatin River will produce a little more variety as the baeits mayflies become active again.
Salmon River Steelhead by Jimmy’s Fly Shop (November 30, 2024)
A few nice afternoons remain for swinging soft hackle flies and presenting BWO life cycle and white miller caddis patterns on the Firehole River. Other than that, brown trout season is running supreme. Expect crowds pitching streamer and big soft hackle patterns on the Madison River, whether it be along the west entrance highway or in the Beaver Meadows between the Barns Holes and Baker’s Hole campground. The Lewis River channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes will become a destination for fly fishers from all over the world. Best times of day to enjoy these fish is first light before shoreline angling traffic puts them down. The brown trout runs into the Snake and Gardner Rivers are starting with peaks coming late in the month. Watch the weather, as “Old Man Winter” can take month long residence any time.
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks Fishing Report via River’s Edge Fly Shop (December 4, 2024)
The Paradise Valley Spring Creeks have been fishing well with the warm December weather. Midges and small baetis are on the menu as far as dry flies go. 4x has been fine, though if you are getting refusals don’t be afraid to switch to 5x. A light dropper remains a good adjustment for fish stubborn to come all the way up. Watch out for reds!
GO-TO FLIES:
-Holo Flash Midge Black #18
-BH Bugger Hot Bead #8
-No See Um Baetis #18
-Morgans Midge #20
-Bubbleback Emerger BWO #20
