Saturday, February 6, 2010
Spring Streamer Selection for our Montana Trout
These four streamers are Big Trout candy in early spring.
Driving home from Bozeman the other day brought a pleasant sight to my eyes as I’ve been away from Montana for almost two weeks. As I passed through Silver Star I was happy to see flowing water in the Jefferson. Both the Jefferson and Big Hole have been frozen over, along with parts of the Madison, for a good while as we pass through winter. The open water got me thinking about how many bugs I still have yet to tie in preparation for the upcoming season. The above photo is a representation of the four streamers that we fish right after ice off on our rivers.
Yellow Yummy
Cone Head Yellow Yummy
The Yellow Yummy is an eye catching streamer that works well into June and tantalizes fish with its bright color and moving legs. It is fish equally well on the retrieve or dead drifted. The yellow color in the murky spring water is easy for the fish to see and they strike it with determination.
Olive/Black
Olive and Black
My personal favorite for all around use. This is the streamer I go to when all others have failed, or I need a confidence boost that a fish really does want to eat today. The Flashabou along the sides are an added touch that I’ve found ups the fish count as it imitates the light reflecting off of a minnows scales. Fishes all year, but works the best in early spring and late fall.
Olive/Chartreuse
Olive and Chartreuse
A lighter variation of the Olive/Black streamer that works wonders on bright days. A spring time favorite, this dual colored bugger is a Big Hole and Beaverhead machine when thrown in back water pockets and pulled through the heart of the run. We’ve tried it with and without the legs, and have come to find it’s more effective without.
Black/Grizzly
Black and Grizzly
This streamer is a Beaverhead favorite. The color combination, along with the white legs, pull fish from pockets, log jams, riffles, and pools with regularity. A jerking motion that allows the legs to pulsate is the best way to fish this bug. Black/Grizzly bugs have been around for ages, and with good reason: they catch trout. If you’re ever in need of a go to fly on any river, give this one a try.
