Yes, people have still been fishing but it has been COLD! If you do get out there be sure to dress warm, with many layers, a good hat, winter buff, and gloves – especially for those days into negative digits! This week looks much warmer however, Friday looks like a high of 39, Saturday is calling for snow with a high of 31, Sunday is back to the teens.
We are lucky to have the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks so close to our back yard. The water here is much warmer (coming out of the ground at nearly 50 degrees). The warmer water makes for more bug activity, which in turn gets the fish more excited than those “chilling” in the river. Armstrong’s, Nelson’s, and DePuy’s are all offering winter rates now at $40 per rod. The good news about these colder days? You will most likely be those only ones fishing out there!
Midges are the main food source during the winter months, both for the fish in the Spring Creeks and the Yellowstone. Zebra midges, miracle nymphs, larva lace midge larva have all been top sellers, however you can also catch fish on serendipities, scuds, sowbugs, slim mayfly nymphs, sculpin patterns, and leeches. On the rare, warm yet calm day you can even get some midge dry fly fishing in, although these opportunities usually only last a couple minutes before the wind picks up again. For situations like these, a Griffith gnat, midge cluster, or one of René Harrop’s hanging midges are the go to patterns.
