Sunday, May 25, 2009
This rainbow took a size 16 pink soft hackle sow bug.
- George took this fish on a size 20 zebra midge
Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer recreation is upon us here in Southwest Montana, and it is no more prevelant than on the uppper Beaverhead River from Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge. Average flows have provided ample access to this prestine stretch of water, and wade anglers have taken advantage of the easy access. From atop the dam looking downstream, there were 22 fisherman from the dam to Buffalo Bridge on Friday, and even more on Saturday. And man are they experiencing some AWESOME fishing!
The fish are in a feading frenzy as temperatures are staying consistant and the increased water flows has allowed them to space out throughout the river and locate a feading lane that’s all their own. When flows are lower the fish are poded up in tight groups that are more indicative to the most aggressive fish getting the most food, leaving the others with less than full stomachs. Now that there is enough water for better fish displacement, they are eating as if they haven’t seen food in months. Consistant and clean water flows have been a key factor behind this increased feading pattern as well. As flows elevate, the fishing gets tougher from the initial elevation in water, to when the river filters out the newly acquired sediment.
Soft hackle sow bugs, pink scuds, ray charles, zebra midges, and any green nymph in sizes 16, 18, and 20 have been the bugs of choice. This time of year anything in the pink or red color scheme is also a good bet.
