True to form, Livingston’s winter wind has set in. We have enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, good winter fishing and fishing conditions in Paradise Valley. Warmer than average temperatures persist and a series of overcast days with some precipitation will create good to great winter fishing conditions, most notably on the Paradise Valley Spring creeks.
There are still random surface feeding fish on the local spring creeks, most notably to irruptive hatches of baetis and midges in the slower calmer water in, above, and below the ponds as well as the tails of pools. A baetis or 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.
On windy days fishing a small light to moderately weighted streamers and leach patterns actively stripped in holding water has been catching fish.
Please be mindful of spawning redds/beds and their location, please avoid wading over them.
Fish appear to be 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. Focus your attention below the cleared spawning redds and in the deep stabile pools. Fish the rig deep and slow.
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
Recommended Flies:
Nymphs
Tailwater sowbug 16-18 and other nymphs , Zebra midge (red, olive, black) 20, Frenchie, 12-16 Psycho Prince (yell/or) , Rubber legs, 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, Baby Gonga, Rubber legged cone head Krystal bugger (Blacl, ol, yellow), Intruder style spey flies, large soft hackle flies, McCune’s Olive Sculpin.
Dries
Harroup’s hanging midge, Brooks sprout midge emerger, cluster midge, Harroups CDC adult midge, CDC olive comparadun 20, Last Chance Cripple (BWO) 20,
0
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.