Friday, June 5, 2009
As fishing season hits full stride, we hope your rod looks like this often!
Beaverhead River
One of the biggest keys to success on the Beaverhead River this time of year is how much lead you are using when nymph fishing. The amount of bug life in the river is astounding, and fish will not put a lot of energy into chasing bugs that are drifting faster (dragging) than every other nymph going down stream. While some fish will take bugs on the swing, your best bet is to slow down your presentation by adding more lead and getting a nice drag free drift. By slowing your presentation down you’ll increase your success! 3X fluorocarbon tippet is just fine for now as the fish are feeding hard. Go to 4X if they seem a little tippet shy.
Big Hole
The feel of success.
This time of year on the Big Hole you’ll need to get your nymphs, and dry flies soon, as close to the deep cut banks and shallow shelves as possible. Fish are pushing up along the banks in search of Salmon Fly nymphs and Golden Stone nymphs. Fish different sizes and colors as fish tend to key in on a certain bug they’re looking for and will eat them in higher regularity over stones of different colors/sizes. Don’t be afraid to fish your nymphs on heavier tippet as you’ll need to play a game of “cat and mouse” with the overhanging brush. 2X is just fine in a lot of situations. 3X will work basically all year…until later in the year when you’ll need to go smaller for trico’s etc.
Madison River
Stonefly nymphs are beginning to move in the Madison as well. Fishing big princes and any assortment of rubber leg stones trailed by a san juan worm or zonker pattern should produce fish. Just as on the Big Hole, concentrate your fishing along banks and boulder pockets as fish search for stones looking to burrow under rocks in preparation for hatching.
Jefferson River
After a big run off, it’s time to throw some streamers on the Jeff! The fish have been holding in the slack water to conserve energy while the flows have been at a higher level. Big streamers in yellow, tan, and black will be your best bet. Also fish stones and sjw’s as the fish are eager to eat and need the quick burst of energy. The next week will be a great time to get on the Jeff as it’s not been fished in quite a while.
