“The best is yet to come”. That means the bulk of the fish have yet to arrive. True, folks are picking up fish from time to time, but November will offer many more of the best run in years. With bigger numbers of fish coming in expect the arrival of many more anglers.
Seems like the BWO or streamer theme applies to a lot of places, southwestern Montana included. Browns are migrating in the Madison, Ruby, Beaverhead, Big Hole, Gallatin, Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, so streamers are the choice here. Want to try for REALLY BIG browns? Wade Lake produced the Montana state record (twenty-nine pounds and change) and near record browns. Get those streamers down deep here. Other great still waters for big browns are Clark Canyon Reservoir, Hebgen Lake, Quake Lake, and Smith Lake. If you prefer top water fishing, the BWOs are abundant on nearly all rivers.
It’s BWO times on such as Warm River just below the spring, the Teton in the Basin, the Blackfoot below the reservoir, Birch Creek, Buffalo River in front of the campground, lower Robinson Creek, Stump Creek, and Tincup Creek. If for some reason BWO life cycle patterns won’t do, try dry attractors or small bead head nymphs.
Almost anywhere midge pupa pattern underneath a strike indicator will take fish. all you must do is find the taking depth. Folks are picking up fish on fall color leech patterns on Chesterfield, Daniels, Twenty-four Mile, and Hawkins. Springfield has been the slowest of the bunch, but action there always picks up towards the end of this month.
Brown trout migration is the big attraction here. Best places are Lewis River, Gibbon River, Duck Creek, Gardner River and the Snake River. Streamer flies are the fare, and do not over look outlets to both Lewis and Shoshone lakes. The way the weather is headed, just about any day should be good, but be prepared for winter driving and walking conditions.
All reports we have so far speak of spotty results. The west side , that is from the cliffs to the County Boat Ramp, seem to be the best location. Action is certain to pick up soon.
Flow out of Mackay Dam is now less than 100 cfs. This means fish will be concentrated in deepest holes. During PMs they will come out for BWOs or midges, but this low flow makes them quite wary.
It’s much like the South Fork: BWO life cycle patterns or streamers. These are the best choices for action up & down the river. The weather is right, crowds are down, insect pests gone, and the time of year is right. Get out and enjoy!
Browns are on the move! From Menan to American Falls Reservoir you can encounter big browns almost anywhere under low light conditions. There are many walk-in locations and several boat ramps up & down the river. Get in touch with us to learn some of the best locations for a chance at what could be the fish of a season.
The flow out of Palisades Dam has been stable at about 3000 cfs for several days now. Expect it to drop further. Nevertheless, the weather is co-operating if you enjoy fishing either BWOs or streamers. PMs will be best for the BWOs and low light conditions such as evenings, cloudy or stormy days, early mornings will be best for streamers. Browns are beginning to migrate, so expect action if you present streamers or wooly bugger patterns.
Lost near the Lorenzo Boat Ramp: An Orvis fly rod with Orvis reel. If found, please contact Matt Hess: 801-682-0740 or [email protected].