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!
