SW Montana Rivers are Hitting Their Stride!

We are moving into the sweet part of the season in SW Montana. Our major rivers are dropping and clearing and we are beginning to see some dry fly fishing.

The Big Hole has dropped dramatically and is as clear as you could wish. Salmon flies should appear on the river any moment. Nymph fishing with a mixed bag of small nymphs such as copper johns, prince and pheasant tails in sizes 10 dropped behind a stone fly nymph pattern is a very effective combo. You can also fish big streamers deep. Yellow Yummies, Yuk Bugs and strip leeches are excellent.

The Beaverhead is at a low to medium flow. Fishing with small nymphs is very good. We like the micro mays, ray charles, split backs and small brassies all in sizes 16-20. PMD hatches should come on relatively soon.

The Madison is clear and running at an excellent level. Stone fly nymphs with small nymph droppers are again a good choice. Expect the Salmon Fly hatch on this river in the next ten days.

The Ruby has cleared enough to be fishable and the flow is acceptable. Remember you have good access at four or five public sites from the Ruby Dam to Silver Springs. Small nymphs and streamers are the order of the day.

You should expect really fine fishing conditions the next couple of weeks. Good Luck