Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Ruby River - from the confluence with the Beaverhead River to Duncan District Road starting July 10.
The Ruby can be a nice option in summer with lots of pale morning duns to keep trout well fed. The fishing is often subsurface below the dam but if you have some nice cloud cover it can result in a lot of heads. Fishing a small streamer in the mornings also can turn a lot of trout. Nymphing is very productive with worms, small streamers and PMD emergers.
The Ruby is a unique option as it is kind of like a tailwater and kind of like a freestone. The water below the reservoir stays open all year and can produce some decent dry fly fishing over midge hatches on a mild day. PMDs are a daily occurance but fishing is still mostly subsurace. Nymphing a worm and a PMD emergeer is very effective. Don't be afraid to swing or strip smaller streamers as well, especially on cloudy days.
Upstream from Ruby Reservoir: Open
Downstream from Ruby Dam: Angling is closed the entire year just below Ruby Dam, from its confluence with Ruby Dam outlet channel upstream to the dam, including the outlet channel.
From Ruby Dam to Alder Bridge (Ruby Island FAS): Open through Sept. 30
From Alder Bridge (Ruby Island FAS) to the mouth: Open all year
The Month Ahead:
The Ruby becomes less consistent in late July and early August with a banner day followed by a really tough one for no explainable reason. Water temps are good near the dam most of the summer but expect early morning fishing to out produce other times of the day.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Ruby is a good option all summer long. Once we get into the heart of the summer the river sees more traffic on the public sections and fishing can be less consistent but you can still have some banner days.