With temps in the 40s and 50s this weekend, the fishing on the spring creeks could be pretty solid. The wind isn't typically a factor on the creeks because they are often sheltered by willows or large banks of trees. The two main spring creeks we fish are Armstrong's and DePuy's spring creeks near Livingston and Bozeman, Montana. These creeks are private and do require a rod fee, but, if you enjoy sight-fishing to rising or shallow water feeding trout, the spring creeks are an exciting place to get in some sight-fishing to trout on small waters. Finding a place to fish right now near Bozeman, Montana, isn't all that difficult, but finding a place where you legitimately have a good shot at actively feeding fish is a little more challenging. But the Paradise Valley Spring creeks are going to have daily hatches of midges, but quell your expectations for regularly rising trout. While the creeks are small and you may see fish in the crystal clear water, these fish are not that easy to catch. Fly selection doesn’t have to be very sophisticated this time of year - a scud trailed by your favorite size 22 midge larva should be good enough. Where you fish and your presentation is much more important than changing out lots of flies. Rod fees are just $50 in the winter on the Livingston Creeks. The crystal clear water of the spring creeks make it easy to see fish....but getting them to eat your fly requires a little more skill. You need a long, light leader, a good drift, light tippet, and a sensitive indicator like yarn to detect the subtle strikes.
The slower slots with will concentrate trout but they won’t move far to take flies so expect takes to be subtle. As a rule I always use yarn indicators on spring creeks – generally custom cut to be just big enough to not sink. These indicators allow you to detect very subtle disturbances resulting in more hookups.
The Month Ahead:
The information above will hold serve till March and then we can expect some very favorable conditions on the spring creeks.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Livingston creeks will see some extra fish starting in March when rainbows move in from the Yellowstone prior to spawning. Baetis mayflies will also become a target of the trout in mid April.
Visit Our Shop for These Top Spring Creek Flies Right Now:
Para Adams in size 16-22
Juju Baetis size 22
Wondernymphs in black in sizes 18-22
Beadhead Zebra midge, black or red, size 22
Mole Midge size 20
Scuds, sowbugs like Ray Charles in natural or pink in sizes 18-22
Midge larva in red or purple in size 20-22
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