The new year has come, and we’re relieved to finally see some snowpack in the mountains. It’s been an unseasonably warm winter here in Missoula, but the last few weeks have brought us some much-needed relief from dry and warm conditions. Usually, we find ourselves inside at the vise or out ice fishing at this point. but the rivers are wide open and there’s nearly no shelf ice, so we’ve been enjoying some wonderfully productive fly fishing this winter.

Nymphing, is the classic reliable way to fish through the winter. Large, darker patterns like pats rubber legs, tj hookers, and wooly buggers are killer picks in the turbid runoff water. On brighter days and clearer water, small perdigons and chironomids are very productive.

There’s still some dry-fly potential as midges continue to show throughout the river, though the very small dries can be a headache to fish. Unless there is a heavy midge hatch going on a warm day we usually opt for subsurface presentations.

Streamer fishing is incredibly productive this time of year, and with the lack of surface ice, it’s more productive than ever. Fish will be more lethargic this time of year, holding in buckets and the tailing ends of runs, so fish low and slow. Large, dark patterns like marabou leeches, dungeons, and wooly bugger are very reliable