Yep, winter came in last week and shut down the fall fly fishing for good. All of the rivers in our area look like Alaska right now. While most people have packed up their fly fishing gear and have started to think about getting into some powder, I have gone into fishing overdrive.
Winter fishing is awesome. One of the biggest factors for me starting this blog was a realization that there is very little information and enthusiasm for winter fishing. That ends now!
For instance, did you know that you can fly fish through the ice? They even make ice rods with fly reels on them. You use the same winter flies you would use on the river. It's a whole different game but it is a hell of a lot better than freaking out about winter and being miserable like everyone else.
During warm spells the Bitterroot, Upper Clark Fork, and the Missouri can fish like the freaking bees knees and you can go days without seeing another fisherperson. We live in a winter wonderland, those people who get cabin fever in the winter are either just lazy or for some reason not able to be active.
So here it is, a somewhat abbreviated (for now) Missoula Area winter fishing report.
The Clark Fork:
Frozen. However, the upper river will fish all winter. Use Missouri River winter patterns like orange bead scuds and sows, eggs, and streamers. There are some monster rainbows up there (pushing 30") that fall over the dam and there's always the resident browns.
The Bitterroot:
Frozen. When we have a warm spell, this river will be scary until the iceburgs clear out, but then, it is low flows, easy wading, beautiful sunsets and stacked up fish in the winter runs; and you have it all to yourself.
The Missouri R.:
The only issue you'll have here is nasty weather. When you get a nice day over there, it is winter paradise. It's so pretty and odd. I just love it on the MO in the winter. I don't take a boat because wading is the best in the winter. It's a nymphing and streamer deal with midges on the shoulders of the season.
And ice fishing:
Beavertail Pond:
I love this stupid pond. As of yesterday, it had 3 inches of hard, clear ice. I played it cautious and fished in no deeper that waste deep in case I fell through. Ideally you want 4". The north side of the pond is where the aquifer enters so the ice was only 2" thick. I'd stay away from that end for a while. The brood stock rainbows are in there and they are ready to eat. They are huge (25"+ and up to 10lbs.) and they cruise around in swarms. You can go a half hour without a sign and then all of a sudden there's 3 submarines headed at your fly. In between trout swarms, you'll catch perch. I use steelhead size egg patterns, tiny egg patterns, and jig head streamers.
Harpers Lake:
This is a small natural lake up near Clearwater Crossing. Because it is at a higher elevation, the ice is better than Beavertail. The brood stock are also put in here. The water is very clear which makes looking down the hole really fun. One of the best things about ice fishing is that it is a lot like snorkeling. Your suspended above this whole scene and you can watch all sorts of stuff and get instant feedback on the fish. I use the same flies up here.
There are many other ice fishing ponds/lakes around here but I won't report on them until I fish them. Stay tuned.
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