The Jefferson River has started to fish a little better as flows continue to drop and visibility improves. It's still not a river most anglers are choosing first, but there are fish being caught for those willing to spend some time on it.
Most of the action has been coming on nymphs. pat's rubberlegs, TJ hookers, frenchies, PMD nymphs, and smaller attractor patterns have all been producing fish. The slower runs, deeper buckets, and softer water continue to be the most productive places to spend your time.
The Jefferson is also one of the few rivers around where it still makes sense to keep a streamer rod handy. There are not a lot of fish per mile compared to some of the other rivers in the area, but there are still some good fish in the system. Black and olive streamers have been moving the occasional fish, especially during lower light periods.
The biggest thing with the Jefferson right now is patience. It's not a river where you're likely to stumble into a pile of fish, but conditions are improving and it's fishing better than it was a couple weeks ago.
Additional Resources
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide To June
Dead Drift Crayfish
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Red San Juan Worm
Jig Zirdle
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Rainbow Warrior Jig
Black and Red Spanish Perdigon
Gold Lightning Bug
The Jefferson River is a unique Montana fly fishing destination. It runs for around 80 miles, surrounded by the rugged landscapes of the Tobacco Root and Highland Mountain Ranges.
Our "Jefferson River Fishing Guide" is a comprehensive introduction to fly fishing in Montana on the Jefferson River from the Bozeman fly fishing guides with Fins and Feathers.
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