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:
Yellowstone River Fishing Report

Updated:
2/22/08

Stream Flow:
523 cfs @ Corwin Springs, 827 cfs @ Livingston

River Conditions:
Low & Clear with shelf ice along the banks in many areas.

Hatches:
Midges

Dries:
Parachute Adams #18-#20, Adams Midge Cluster #16-#20, Griffith's Gnat & Hi-Vis Parachute Griffith's Gnat #16-#20 and Pearl or Red Midge Winkers #18.

Nymphs:
Twenty Incher or Tungsten Twenty Incher #8-#12, Black, Black/Tan, Brown/Orange Rubberlegs #6-#8, Olive or Golden Double Bead Stones #6-#10, Mega Prince #8-#10, Karnopp's Keystone in Black, Brown, Golden or Skwalla #6-#10, B.H. Flashback Caddis #12-#16, B.H. Flashback Hare's Ear #14-#16, Guide's Choice Hare's Ear #14-#16, Micro Mayfly #14-#16, B.H. Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #12-#16, Black & Red Zebra Midges #16-#20 and Red or Copper Tungsten Copper Johns #16-#18.

Streamers:
Black or Olive Bow River Buggers #4-#6, Lion King #4-#6, Olive or Pearl Zonkers #4-#6, Trick or Treat #4-#6, White or Olive Circus Peanut, White or Olive Zuddlers #4-#6, Tan Near Nuff Sculpins #4-#6 and Yellow or Olive Super Yummies #4-#6.

Fishing Conditions & Comments:
The Yellowstone is a little slower to come around than some of the other rivers in the area and generally starts fishing better in early March. But if you're in the area it's definitely worth wade or float fishing. You'll find some fish up midging on calm days and streamer fishing will only improve as the spring progresses. As is usual this time of year nymphing will be best though. Concentrate at the heads of the riffles that drop into deeper pools and fish all the way through the slower, deeper water.




Greater Yellowstone Flyfishers · 29 Pioneer Way · Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone (406) 585-5321 · Fax (406) 585-5321 · Email Us

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