Montana's Best Flyfishing

"The trout do not rise in the cemetery, so you better do your fishing while you are still able."      -Sparse Grey Hackle

Gallatin River 360 c.f.s., January 10th, 2012. Winter weather under the Big Sky has arrived.  This time of year you will find yourself mainly focusing on nymphing big stonefly patterns with smaller midge, lightning bug, copper john, and pheasant tail type patterns. Fishing streamers should also produce fish. The valley has been fishing well, on overcast days with warmer nights the canyon has been producing big fish in the big holes.

Upper Madison 1240 c.f.s., January 10th, 2012. With winter weather finally here the fishing has slowed down, the up side is there are no crowds, and for the patient there are fish to be had.  browns will chase streamers between the lakes, and from Slide down to 3 Dollar. Nymphing small rubberlegs, eggs and baetis patterns has been productive. The temp at kirby is at 34! you can find warmer water below the West Fork.

Yellowstone River 1690 c.f.s., December 2nd, 2011. Winter conditions prevail, if you can stand the wind, and can find a safe place to enter (shelf ICE!), you can hook up with some fish. Nymphing beadheads is your best bet, articulated streamers above Big Timber are still attracting good attention.

Yellowstone National Park, December,2011 The park is closed to fishing until May 2012

Lower Madison 1960 c.f.s., October 8th, 2011. Baetis, midges and streamers should be the main focus.  Good place to be on a cloudy day.