Jefferson River Fishing Report

August 4, 2010

A nice Jefferson River Rainbow

On August 3 we launched two boats on the famous Jefferson River at Kountz Bridge and floated to Cardwell.    It was TLA’s 3rd 2010 trip to the Jeff because fishing on the Big Hole and Beaverhead has been too good to leave.   We were coming off a 35 fish day on the Beaverhead and were feeling pretty confident, even cocky, that we could take handle whatever the Jeff had to offer.  While having a fabulous breakfast at the Wagon Wheel restaurant in Twin Bridges, a few of the locals asked where we were fishing and when we told them the Jefferson most said “why”?  We knew the Jeff would be tough but we were up to the challenge and were not to be deterred by local advice.  Well, the old Jefferson kicked out butt.  Water was low, sky was clear, fish were ornery.  We did catch some fish, actually really nice rainbows, but we did not get into the collective double figures.  It was a hard day.  We tossed about everything we had at them and the few fish we caught were on streamers and a hopper dropper combo.  We had hoped for some hopper action but nothing looked at the big bug.  Every once in a while the fish need to win and the angler needs to be humbled.  That is what is so wonderful about this sport.  At the end of the day, we agreed that it was another special fishing experience on another great Montana river.  There are no bad days fly fishing in Montana.  We are not finished with the Jeff!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Ed with a very respectable Jefferson River Rainbow.

The Jefferson River is the home of some really big fish and on August 21 we went in hunt of the big one fishing the stretch of river from Kountz Bridge to Cardwell.   The big one eluded us once more but we are not giving up…..we saw him and we shall return soon.  The river is perfect to fish in terms of water level and clarity but it was sunny and clear all day.  We had hoped for some overcast and believe that the odds would have tilted to our favor if we had some clouds.   We began the day casting hoppers and had several takes and boated a few respectable rainbows.  After lunch, the front of the boat switched to a nymph rig and dredged up several nice rainbows and a couple of small brown trout on stonefly nymphs and San Juan Worms.  Back of the boat stayed with the hoppers and boated a few small fish but the dry fly action slowed as the day progressed.   The Jefferson River is always a great fishing experience and the knowledge and anticipation that the really big one is going to explode on the next cast is ample motivation for any angler.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Bob with a great Jefferson River Rainbow taken on a twitching hopper.

On August 4 we were big fish hunting on the Jefferson River, floating the stretch between Waterloo and Kountz Bridge.  The Jefferson is a beautiful river and it takes some concentration to break away from the Montana vista highlighted by the spectacular Tobacco Root Mountains and focus on the fish.  The river stage and water coloration was perfect for hopper fishing and we pumped hoppers all day.   Action was steady and we got a lot of takes and saw some big fish.  We boated several fish but set no records on either numbers or size. These fish wanted movement and we got several hits on the mend away from the bank.  The lesson here is to give that hopper a realistic twitch and keep a “Tight Line”.  It was a good day of fishing and our expectation is that the Jeff will steadily improve in the coming weeks as the hopper season peaks.

Monday, May 25, 2009

The Madison and Jefferson Rivers are experiencing high and muddy water levels.  At post time, the Jefferson was running at 6,300 cfs near Twin Bridges, and the Madison has dropped a bit to 2,220 cfs near Cameron.  The upper Madison has a little cleaner water if you stay above the west fork, and will fish.  Hopefully by weeks end we will be able to get back on these great rivers and provide you with an updated fishing report.