While most of the outdoor activities this time of year revolve around one question “ Did you get your elk yet?†the savvy fisherman knows this might just be a great time to land a really large fish.
Montana weather is crazy. The second half of September and the first few weeks of October were below normal in temps and even the first permanent snow on the mountains. Now we are in what many call extended Indian summer with highs in the 50’s. If this weather pattern continues it means two things. First hunters are going to angry and second, fisherman will love it. Our extended autumn has given us a bonus season.
Currently the way to stay bent consistently is to nymph or streamer fish. Eggs, worms, Baetis nymphs and the standard rubber leg stone fly nymphs will keep you in touch and in the game anywhere on the river. Remember the brown trout and whitefish are spawning so there are lots of eggs free floating in the river. Our best has been small yellow or even the dreaded yellow Crystal Meth.
If your looking to throw junk and catch fish on streamers your in luck. With the weather we have been having has extended our fall streamer season. Throw all sorts of bunny and dead chickens and keep them moving. If you stay at it you will hook up on a meat eater. Our best colors have been olive and white as of late
The dry fly guys are not left out. We are seeing good hatches of midges as well as some BWO Baetis especially on non-windy cloudy days. If you see fish rising small parachutes as well as midge buzz balls will usually take them.
It is a great time of year to fish with lots of great water and very little competition. Get out and enjoy our river one last time before winter.
Lots of great end of season sales in the store.
