Jefferson River Fishing Report
Date: 11/09/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
Fly fishing the Jefferson River during the late fall and winter is typically a tricky proposition. However, the next several days are looking mild, according to weather forecasters, which makes a short float worth a try this time of year. The river sections between Cardwell and Twin Brides fish better than the lower river options.
The river currently has a little "green" color to it throughout the upper sections. The Beaverhead is off-color, and that is what is bringing the color to the Jeff. Conditions are fine for streamer fly fishing or nymphing with crayfish and San Juan worm combinations.
Streamer fly fishing is the name of the game, and it's worth concentrating efforts around the top and bottom sections of deep pools and long glides. Our guides rely on mixed-density, sinking fly lines like the RIO Elite Predator this time of the season to enable the angler to cover a variety of water depths.
Brown and yellow, white, or dark olive streamer patterns are our go-to choices right now - both single and articulated double hook patterns are worth considering. When fish are aggressive, the articulated patterns elicit some aggressive brown trout strikes. Small, heavy streamers like a Kreelex work well to slowly probe the depths when action is slower.
Olive Swim Coach
Gold/Silver/Copper Kreelex
White Peanut Envy
Olive Mini Dungeon
Fins and Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting Montana fly fishing trips on the Jefferson River for over two decades. It is one of the favorite day trip options - when river conditions are ideal - of our Bozeman fly fishing guides when we have guests with previous fly fishing experience.
Streamer fly fishing the Jefferson during the early and late season produces a few legendary Montana brown trout for the skilled angler. Sporadic hatches of PMD and Brown Drakes in early summer will bring bigger trout into shallow, well-oxygenated riffles in the mornings and evenings.
Overall, Montana fish populations are low throughout the Jefferson River, so angler expectations should focus on "quality over quantity" regarding the fish that we are likely to hook into. Learn more about the river by reading our "Jefferson River Fishing Guide" online.
- $695 for 1 or 2 Anglers Per Guide
- Float Trips With Wading Opportunities
- Use of All Fishing Equipment Is Included
- Single And Multi-Day Trip Bookings Available
- Meet In Bozeman, Three Forks, or Whitehall
- Book Online or Contact Us To Learn More
Jefferson River Fishing
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.
Formed where the Ruby, Big Hole, and Beaverhead Rivers converge, it meets the Madison and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.
Fishing conditions vary from year to year based on winter snowpack and summer moisture, but it offers solitude and the opportunity to catch big fish. Ideally suited for floating, the Jefferson River has low trout populations. Advanced anglers who are willing to work for a few good trout will enjoy fishing the Jefferson.
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.