GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT
So here we are enjoying another Montana winter. So far in 2020 the winter has been fairly mild. Our snowpack here in the Gallatin Mountain range is just okay so far.With our snow pack at 105% .I personally would like to see more snowpack than we have. This being only the first week in February we still have a lot of winter to go. At this time last year we had easily twice as much snow on the ground here at our fly shop in Big Sky. The good news is that it’s a lot easier getting to and from the river with half as much snow.
Fishing conditions on the Gallatin have been pretty good so far this winter.
The river above Big Sky is mostly frozen over all the way up to the 320 guest ranch. Then there’s some open water up to the park line that usually fishes pretty well during the winter months. My favorite section during the winter is the first 10 miles below/downriver from Big Sky. I tend to look for some deeper water with medium to medium fast-moving water. You want to stay with your smaller bugs right now. Your favorite midge pattern in a variety of colors will do you the most good. I have been using some atractor patterns in front of the midge and baetis patterns. Purpled death # 14 & 16, Yellow Robbin # 16, King Prince # 12, Rainbow Warrior, RED and Pearl # 16, Copper John Yellow #16.
Another thing to keep in mind for successful winter fishing on the Gallatin.
There are many cold water springs in the riverbed of the Gallatin River. During the winter months Mr. fish recognizes these warm spots as a good place to be on a cold winter day. The best way to find these special spots is to look at the river during a very cold day. Were talking 20 below or even more. Where there is a lot of springs coming into the river bed you will notice a lot of heavy steam coming from the river.
Spring conditions are just around the corner. The days are getting longer and soon winter will start to relax its grip. By mid-March and early April the longer days and warmer air temperatures bring the River to life. More hatches and food for Mr Fish. For the Fly Fisherman this means nymphing for the most part . The dry fly action can be HIT or miss depending on the day. The pre spring runoff streamer bite really starts to ramp up in Mid-March and April.
So if you’re here on a ski trip and you want to give your legs a break for a day. Try some winter fly fishing with Wild Trout Outfitters. We have all the equipment and the gear to make it comfortable and enjoyable.Be sure to give us a call or stop by the shop if you’re interested in booking a winter fly fishing trip with some of the top guides in Montana.
Dries:
#18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20
Nymphs:
Purple death#14 & #16. Little Green Machine, Grey #18 , Pheasant Tail #16-20. Lightning Bug #16-18, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16-18, Serendipity (Red/Crystal) #16-18, Zebra Midge (Black/Red Ass) #16-20. Pat’s rubber legs coffee/black#10,
Streamers:
Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Corey’s Grinch #6. Barely legal white olive#6 . Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
UPPER MADISON FISHING REPORT
The fishing so far this year on the Madison has been excellent. We tend to fish the upper Madison in the Walk Wade section the most during the winter. From where the West Fork dumps into the Madison all the way up to Raynolds Pass Bridge and above. There are large numbers of rainbows and browns during the winter months especially around Raynolds Bridge. Access is still decent as far as the amount of snow you have to endure to get to the river. This year the Madison River drainage is a little bit behind on snowpack. The Madison River drainage snow pack is at 98%.
If you like to catch fish the Madison River is the place to hit a home run.The water around Raynolds Pass Bridge is getting a work out with people fishing there almost every day, so have a plan B to fall back on. Expect to see lot’s of Midge activity and trout eating on the surface on most days. The nymph fishing is even better, using all the regular Midge patterns, attractor patterns , and small rubber leg stone fly patterns.
So if you are on a ski trip and need your Fly Fishing FIX we can make it happen, just pick up the phone and call Wild Trout Outfitters and we will do what we do best (PUT PEOPLE ON FISH). Don’t forget to pinch your barbs down and practice catch and release, just love them and leave them in the river.
Dries:
Adams #18 and #20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20
Nymphs:
Pats’ Rubber Legs #10, Purple Death # 16, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Lightning Bug #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Shop Vac #16-18, Yellow Robbin # 16 and 18,, Hogan’s S&;M #18, Transitional Dun #16-18.
Streamers:
Sex Dungeon #4, Circus Peanut #4, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6. Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box. Including white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and E specially black.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Yellowstone river has come into play as winter . Above average snowfall in the Upper Yellowstone drainage so far this winter has our snow pack at 106%. .If you’re going to Float fish the Yellowstone River please be careful and make sure the boat ramps and the river is passable in between . The down side to the float trip is once you shove off , you are committed to fish the stretch, even if you are cold. The river’s start to get shade by 5 o’clock or sooner (depending on the float) right now so the full day float option is not for everyone.
Dries:
#18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20. Griffith’s Gnat #18 and #20, Midge#18 & #20 . Midge Cluster #16.
Nymphs:
Pats’ Rubber Legs #10, Prince #12, CDC Pheasant Tail #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18. Lightning Bug #16-18, Copper John #14-16, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16, Serendipity (Crystal) #16-18.
Streamers:
Sex Dungeon #4, Circus Peanut #4, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6. Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box. Including white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FISHING REPORT
Yellowstone National Park is closed for fishing Intel the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This year that day is May 16, 2020.
Give us a call (800-423-4742) to discuss planning your own trip to fish Yellowstone National Park this spring,summer or fall.
Dries: Yellowstone Park is closed for fishing until the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
Nymphs: Yellowstone Park is closed for fishing until the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
