Armstrongs, Nelson's and DePuy's Spring Creek - Southwest Montana and Yellowstone Park Fishing Reports

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:
Armstrongs, Nelson's and DePuy's Spring Creek Fishing Report

Updated:
2/22/08

Stream Flow:
Consistent water flows & temperatues year round.

River Conditions:
Good consistent water temps make the springs creeks an excellent choice this time of year.

Hatches:
Midges & look for some Baetis to start showing up soon.

Dries:
Gray or Black CDC Midge Adults #18-#20, Gray or Black CDC Hanging Midge #18-#20, Gray or Black CDC Spent Midge #18-#20, Gray or Black CDC Midge Emergers #18-#20 and Gray Midge Sprout #20.

Nymphs:
Blood Midge #20, Red Chironomid #16, Miracle Nymph #18, Black & Red Midge Larva #20, B.H. Black Beauty #18, Black & Red Zebra Midges #16-#18, Black & Gray Poly Wing Emergers #18, Black or Brown U.V. Emergers #18, Sidewinder Midge Emerger #18, B.H. Cheesman Emerger #18, RS2 #18-#22, Sawyer Pheasant Tails #18-#20, Quill Nymphs (a.k.a. Skinny Nelson)#18-#20, Baetis Wonder Nymph #18-#20, Black or Olive Tailwater Tiny #18, Red or Chartreuse Jujubee Midge #20, Gray Sparkle Scud #16, Gray or Tan Ray Charles #16-#18, Pink Soft Hackle Sow Bug #16-#18, Pink, Gray or Olive Soft Tex Scud #16-#18, Flashback WD-40 #18 and Silvey's Rusty PMD Krystal Nymph 318-#20.

Streamers:
Olive or Black Carey Bugger #8-#10, Brown or Olive Woolly Buggers #8-#12, Sheila Sculpin #6, Tan or Olive Near Nuff Sculpin #8-#10 and Olive Leeches #8-#10.

Fishing Conditions & Comments:
Fishing the Livingston spring creeks is a great choice this time of year. Rod fees are only $40 per person per day, and if you go to DePuy's you have the added bonus of warming huts complete with wood burning stoves for gearing up, lunch, warming up or just taking a break.

Fishing midges on top can be productive yet challenging. Fishing 5x-7x tippet with a pinch on indicator 18"-24" above a nymph is very productive in shallow water, otherwise place your indicator up higher for deeper water. Light tippets are critical for fishing success and Rio's Fluoroflex Tippet is incredibly strong even in 7x. For a break try stripping woolly buggers or leeches in the deeper holes.

Yellowstone River fish will be moving into the creeks to spawn. Be careful where you walk and avoid wading on or near redds. Also, be respectful and avoid fishing the redds. Let the fish do their thing and concentrate on pre and post spawners, as well as resident fish.

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

Website built and maintained by Blue Tent Marketing.