rod

Winter fishing is in full force here in Southwest Montana.  The past couple of weeks have seen temperatures climb into the 30's and 40's for highs making it feel like summer compared with the deep freeze of recent weeks.  All this warm weather has excited both the trout and the fishermen.  Hot spots have been on the Gallatin River, spring creeks, the upper and lower Madison, East Gallatin, Missouri and Bighorn. 

On the freestone rivers such as the Gallatin and Madison stonefly nymphs, wooly buggers, midge nymphs and dries, as well as smaller bead head nymphs are a good bet.  On the spring creeks and tailwaters scuds, sow bugs, midge larva and sparse nymphs such as Flashback Quill Nymphs, Sawyer Pheasant Tails and Wonder Nymphs are all good  choices.

So if you want a break from skiing or just need to get out of the house, grab your rod and hit the rivers.  This is winter fishing at it's best!

Chad Olsen

February 21st

Water:
Gallatin River Fishing Report

Updated:
2/22/08

Stream Flow:
222 cfs @ Gallatin Gateway; 544 cfs @ Logan

River Conditions:
Low and clear

Hatches:
Midges

Dries:
Griffith's Gnats #16-#20, Hi-Vis Griffith's Gnats #16-#20, Adams Midge Cluster #16-#20, Gray or Black CDC Midge Adult #20, Parachute Adams #18-#20.

Nymphs:
B.H. Flashback Hare's Ear #14-#16, Copper or Red Copper Johns #14-#18, King Prince #14-#16, Queen Prince #14-#16, Bubbleback #14-#18, Bloody Mary #14-#16, Red Headed Step Child #16, Brown & Tan Rubber Legs #8, Olive, Golden and Black Double Bead Stones #6-#10, Poxy Biot Golden Stone #8-#12, Mega Prince #10, B.H. Black Beauty #18, Red Zebra Midge #16-#18 and Brassies #16-#18.

Streamers:
Halloween Woolly Bugger #6-#10, Olive B.H. Rubberleg Woolly Bugger #6-#10, Trick or Treat #8, Olive and Black Bow River Buggers #6, Olive or Black Carey Buggers #8-#10 and Peacock Woolly Bugger #8-#10.

Fishing Conditions & Comments:
Fishing has been very good lately on the Gallatin with the warm temperatures we're experiencing warming water temps and motivating trout to feed. Best places have been on the upper Gallatin just downstream from the park a couple for a couple of miles, in the canyon below Big Sky and from the mouth of the canyon down throughout most of the valley. Try a stonefly nymph or woolly bugger up top with a smaller nymph or midge below.



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