We usually don’t even think about fishing this early in the season but with the unseasonably warm weather we have been having, it’s time to dust off the fly rods, put on some new tippet and hit the river.
The Big Hole is running about 330 cfs, which is normal for this time of year. Our snow pack how ever is way below average.
Streamers and nymphs are the fly’s of choice now. On certain days there may be some midges hatching and if conditions are just right there will be some baetis. I walked down to the river today and tied on just a regular old girdle bug with a bloody mary behind it and picked up a few. I was working out in the yard and my newfy’s, Gus and Allie kept staring at me as if to say it’s time to hit the river. As soon as I walk out with my fly rod they go absolutely nuts because they know where we are going.
A friend who lives over by the Jefferson River called today and said it looks great and it’s running at 635 cfs. So I drug the drift boat out of the garage and hooked it up to my jeep and were ready to hit the Jeff. in the morning. Although there aren’t as many fish in this river as the Big Hole, the brown’s are huge and the rainbows are hot. Will let you know how it was. I also have a guided trip on the Big Hole thursday and will give a report on that.
If your thinking about coming to this part of the country in the near future, be sure to check the extended forecast. The highs have been in the fifty’s but it could just as easily be -5 with a full blown snow storm.