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.

With the cold weather, there are few bugs hatching at the moment, though midges are abundant throughout the winter. They can be daunting to fish, being very small patterns in the #20-#24 range, though the fish certainly have no issue seeing them.

Nymphing remains the most reliable approach during winter. Indicator rigs with heavier patterns—Double Bead Stones, Pat’s Rubber Legs, TJ Hookers—help get your flies down quickly into those slower winter lies. Tightline nymphing, indicators, and swinging soft hackles all produce, assuming  you're getting your flies down and maintaining a clean drift.

Streamer fishing is very effective, Heavier, low-and-slow offerings like wooly-headed sculpins, mini dungeons, marabou leeches or buggers are killer choices. On a bluebird day, ripping something sparse and sparkly along undercut banks and pocket water can result in some bone crushing eats!

As always, stop by the shop if you need flies, rigging help, or the latest on water conditions. Stay warm and fish smart out there.