Jefferson River Fishing Report
Date: 03/18/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
Things are finally shaping up on Montana’s Jefferson River! Most of the shelf ice has released and made its way down stream. Because of all the ice melt the water is a bit dirty but definitely not unfishable. Nymphing will be the best way to get some fish to hand but the streamer game can be worth a shot to try and find some nice fish.
Set up your favorite nymph stick with a dark Pat’s Rubber Leg or a Red worm followed by a Perdigon or Zebra Midge. The water is still cold so focus your fishing on the deep slow holes and add some split shot to make sure those flies get down quickly. If you wanna try your hand at the streamer game try fishing a Mini Dungeon or a Sculpzilla. Because the water is dirty try fishing darker colors like Olive and Black.
Recommended Flies
Red San Juan Worm
Olive Micro May
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Olive Mini Dungeon
Jefferson River Fishing Trips
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.
