The Gallatin
The Gallatin River is located just west of Bozeman and is known for it's abundance of fish and it's unbelievable scenery. Starting about 70 miles south of Bozeman and flowing North following U.S. Highway 191 most of its length, the Gallatin has easy access and is a great choice for wade fishing all year long.
Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
11-26 The river is starting to ice up although the river has some fishable water on the lower sections .If you decide to venture out be careful . The fishing can be good this time of year mostly with small midge nymphs and egg patterns.
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Explosion Stone Purple, Double Bead Stone Hares Ear, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Black Copper John, and Master Baetis.
Streamers:
Black Bugger,Copper Zonker,White Bow River Bugger,Jrs Ch stramer black.
Dries:
Royal Wulff, H & L Variant, Para Adams, Para Wulff BWO.
Gallatin River Flows
Gallatin Gateway:
Average Flow: 438 cfs
Current Flow: 388 cfs
More on the Web
The Lower Madison
Starting below Ennis Reservoir and running north for approximately 35 miles to its confluence with the Missouri, the lower Madison provides both excellent wading and floating opportunities.
Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
11-28 The lower fishes great this time of year for those anglers willing to brave the cold .Expect to fish fairly small patterns behind an attractor pattern like an egg or a worm. From time to time the dry fly fishing can be good with midges . The fish are a little more concentrated in the cooler months so there is no need to float . GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Tailwater Tiny, Black or Red Copper John, Red Headed Stepchild, SJ Worm, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Otter's Soft Milking Egg
Streamers:
Clouser crayfish, big horn bugger, JJ special, brown bugger, Crazy Dad Crawfish.
Dries: Para Variant, Para Adams, BWO Parawulff
Lower Madison River Flows
Below Ennis Lake:
Average Flow: 1870 cfs
Current Flow: 1280 cfs
More on the Web
Lower Madison Water Contacts
River-Gal Shuttle Service
Bonnie 406-685-3500
The Upper Madison
11-28 The upper Madison is a very good winter time river .With lower wintertime flows wade fishing becomes much easier. In the colder months there wont be a whole lot of dry fly fishing, expect most fish to eat small midge nymphs, worms and eggs .Some fish are taken on streamers as well.
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Red copper john, Rainbow Warrior, Daves Emerger ,BH Brassie ,zebra midge
Streamers:
Olive and White Zonker, Kiwi Mudler,
Black Bugger, Silveys sculpin leech.
Dries:
Para Adams, Spider midge, H & L Variant, Griffiths gnat.
Upper Madison River Flows
Kirby Ranch:
Average Flow: 1180 cfs
Current Flow: 673 cfs
More on the Web
The Yellowstone River
11-28 The Yellowstone can be a daunting river to wade fish but this time of year with ice dams and floating ice shelves it is probably the best bet ,Expect fish to eat mostly small nymphs and eggs . There may be some dry fly fishing in the foam holes. Streamer fishing is typically not very good when the water is this cold.
Recommended Fly Patterns
Streamers:
Olive & White & Natural Zonker, Olive Wooly Bugger, Conehead Superflash Black, Heavy Metal Sculpin.
Dries:
Para Wulff BWO, Royal Wulff, Para Variant, CDC Baetis Emerger.
Nymphs:
Rubberlegs Brown/Coffee, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, CDC Bubbleback Olive, Lightning Bug Black
Yellowstone River Flows
Corwin Springs:
Average Flow: 1500 cfs
Current Flow: 1220 cfs
More on the Web
Livingston:
Average Flow: 2010 cfs
Current Flow: 1660 cfs
More on the Web
Yellowstone Water Contacts
Yellowstone River Live Cam: http://www.coolworks.com/webcams/
The Missouri
11-28 Between dams the fishing has been off the hook with lots of lake fish looking to spawn . The river around craig has been fishing well with beatis and midges . Although mostly nymphing the river still produces quite a few fish caught on dries this time of year . Don't forget the streamer box, with the cooler temps the fish are chasing streamers pretty consistently .
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Tailwater Tiny Olive, Lightning Bug, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, CDC Bubbleback Olive
Dries:
CDC ParaWulff Royal, Ride-Right BWO, H&L Variant, Para Adams, CDC Baetis Emerger
Streamers:
CH Superflash Tan, Clouser Crayfish Olive, JR's CH Streamer Golden Shiner, and White Bow River Buggers
The Missouri River River Flows
Missouri River bl Holter Dam nr Wolf Cr MT:
Average Flow: 4200 cfs
Current Flow: 3250 cfs
The Bighorn
11-28 The bighorn continues to be one of the best fishing rivers in Montana .With the consistent water temps produced from the dam the fishing remains good even in the coldest of weather .The fishing will be subsurface for the most part, you may get some midge fishing although it will probably be spotty. The crowds are much smaller this time of year even though there will be some pleasant weather from time to time .
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Shrimp Cocktail, Ray Charles Gray and Pink, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Hunchback Scud
Dries:
Para Adams, Griffiths gnat, Spider midge ,Snowshoe midge cluster.
Streamers:
JJ Special, Bighorn Bugger, Heavy Metal Sculpin, Tequeely
Big Horn River Flows
Big Horn River nr St. Xavier MT:
Average Flow: 2900 cfs
Current Flow: 1730 cfs
The Spring Creeks
11-28 This is the time to fish the spring creeks .Rod fees are only $40.00 a day and the fishing can be great .There has been some good dry fly fishing lately mostly midges and a few bwos still hanging around .Expect most of your fishing to be subsurface, the nymphing has been pretty good .Small midge nymphs have been the ticket .Eggs and worms have also been producing some great fishing.
Recommended Fly Patterns
Dries:
Para Adams, CDC Lowrider Olive, CDC Baetis Emerger,Griffiths gnat,Spider Midge.
Nymphs:
Pickpocket Claret, Silver Streak, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Black Copper John #18, Tailwater Tiny Olive
Spring Creeks Water Contacts
DePuy's 406.222.0221
Armstrong's 406.222.2979
Milesnick's 406.388.7001
Nelson's 406.222.2159