Weekend Fishing Report for the second half of February
Emerging from the damn cold last couple weeks. Lots of great snow too! Bring more please as the next 4 months equal the snow that we rely on fore the summer ahead.
Shelf ice. Lots of it. Can be very dangerous. Some have been nearly drowned by being overcome by floating and drifting shelf ice. A real deal. A real life risk. Honest. Be very careful out there.
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Too much snow or cold in your neighborhood? Practice casting 25′ accurately, really accurate casts, for a lot more fish this summer ahead. Most, and I mean most all folk anglers have a real problem with this task. I bet that most, cannot land the fly or yarn inside a Hula-Hoop 5 of 10 attempts. I would bet 5 of 10 would be a high number. Try it if you think I’m being an asshole here. Do it. Try it. Make yourself better. Do it. Catch more fish.
Nymphing is king. Water temps at 34F. Water flows at 3180cfs. Pink is the word. And the fly, man. Deep slow buckets. Row around in there in super slow, barely moving, water and hit it if the bobber does anything but sit still. We love to keep a tight , not too much slack, line in the winter months with water temps in the firgid range. A downstream mend to get the line almost too tight, to not slack like. Gotta be tight as the fish do not stick around on that pink blob for long. Be Zen-like.
Shop open daily.
Do not know which boat ramps will be accessible. But Craig, the dam…may be it? Check before you set your shuttle fora specific reach. Call the shop, trout hotline, for up to the minute boat ramp conditions, water conditions, etc.
Air temps in the 40’s and beyond for the next couple weeks. Expect the wind and breeze to arrive along with the warmer winter air temps. Again, call ahead of your arrival for data, info, stats…
The Missouri River is a tailwater, behind 3 dams in our locale, and does receive run-off when the snow melts like you have become accustomed to with freestone river systems. That is to our benefit here in central Montana. Our biggest concern is the safety of anglers, with the snow and ice dangers/obstacles. Be safe out there. Think safety. Do not step in if you are in danger. No trout are worth taking a dip in the water this time of year. Some would suggest, we do, fishing with a partner during these periods. Be safe.
