
Despite being in the heart of Montana winter, the days are progressively getting longer. Last week’s snow, cold temperatures and wind have largely sent the Yellowstone into its winter doldrums. Although during the afternoon the flow ice appears to abate. Despite the arrival of “Western weather”, the Paradise Valley spring creeks (Depuy’s, Armstrong’s, and Nelson’s) are still fishing seasonally very well, reliably producing consistent fishing throughout the day.
There are still random surface feeding fish on the local spring creeks, most notably to irruptive hatches of midges in the slower calmer water in, above, and below the ponds as well as the tails of pools. A midge dry fly with a weighted emerger below is just the ticket to target fish actively feeding in the upper part of the water column. With that said nymphing is the rigor of the season and your best bet to put fish in the net.
Fish are most active through the middle of the day 10:30am-2:30p and, at times, eagerly take a dead drifted nymph rig of a scud/sowbug with a zebra midge or baetis nymph dropper. Fish the rig deep and slow under an appropriately buoyant indicator. The winter bite can be quite subtle, using an oversized indicator can lead to missed takes. We like the New Zealand Yarn indicator system, foam pinch on indicators, and extra small Oros bubble type indicators. These detect light takes nicely.
Light streamer rigs worked actively over holding water and prime lays have been consistently producing a number of nice fish on the area spring creeks.
Please be mindful of spawning redds/beds and their location, please avoid wading over them, as foot traffic in the spawning beds can crush or disrupt fertilized eggs.
Note on safety: whether you are walk and wading the Yellowstone, the Gardiner, or the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks please be aware of the effect of air and water temps during winter outings. Use caution traversing ice covered shoreline, shelf ice can give way, and be a slip, trip, fall hazard. Additionally, the risk of hypothermia is increased. Dress appropriately for weather conditions and have a plan. High winds are expected throughout the next week consult the National Weather Service for updated conditions and hazard warnings before venturing out on the water.
Follow the US Coast Guard cold weather tips for a safe and fun day on the water.
Yellowstone River flow chart at Livingston:
Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT – USGS Water Data for the Nation
National Weather Service forecast for Livingston MT
Flies For the Season:
Nymphs
Tailwater sowbug 16-18 and other nymphs , Zebra midge (red, olive, black) 20, Axtell’s Assassin Midge, Minamalist midge, Perdigon, Frenchie, 12-16 Psycho Prince (yell/or) , Rubber legs and stonefly patterns, Darth Baetis, Sawyer Pheasant tail, sow bug, scud, blood blister midge, Squirmy worm, Perdigon, Cheeseman Emerger, Pink var. Blow Torch.
Streamers
Wooly bugger (black, olive, white), Sparkle minnow (olive, black), Home Invader, Slump Buster, leech patterns, Sculpzilla, Baby Gonga, Rubber legged cone head Krystal bugger (Black, olive, yellow), Intruder style spey flies, large soft hackle flies, McCune’s Olive Sculpin.
Dries
Harroup’s hanging midge, Brook’s sprout midge emerger, cluster midge, Harroup’s CDC adult midge, CDC olive comparadun 20, Last Chance Cripple (BWO) 20,
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