Jefferson River Fishing Report
Date: 10/07/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
Fishing the Jefferson River has been best on the upper reaches, near Twin Bridges, MT. Nymphing with crayfish and san juan worm patterns has been reliable. Be sure to twitch that crayfish around a bit when covering the "froggy water" as that can make all the difference between going tight and not touching a fish, this time of the year.
Our guides have been getting some nice brown trout to chase and eat streamers, but many of those eats have been from the middle of long runs and are definitely more random than "strategic." Streamer fly fishing with some classic articulated patterns is the way to go right now.
Having a multi-density, intermediate-slow sink density fly line helps cover the slow and deep or fast and shallow water right now. The fast sinking lines are great for dragging through the few, deep holes but the slower sink rate lets the angler fishing here cover more water.
Jig Zirdle
Hot Pink San Juan Worm
White Peanut Envy
Brown/Yellow Barely Legal
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.