Lake Mary Ronan — Perch fishing should be steadily improving, however, people are finding kokanee but not finding many perch. Kokanee fishing will be more and more an early morning, late evening and into the night event. Anglers should be aware there is a developing pike fishery. — Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo.
Lake Rogers — On Highway 2, west of Kalispell, anglers are catching grayling and cutthroat. — Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo.
Madison River, Lower — Flows have been a wild card, but fishing has still been good. If flows bump more than 500 cfs it can make it tough fishing. There are still some caddis around. On calm days we have been seeing a variety of bugs. Caddis, baetis, March browns, yellow Sallies and stoneflies are all on the menu. The dry fly bite has been a little inconsistent. If you can get a day on the river that is overcast, the dry fly bite can be very productive. Double nymph rigs have been the best way to get the numbers, typically consisting of Worms, Crayfish, Zirdle Bugs, soft hackles, Lil Spankers, and Dirty Birds. Try fishing the weed beds if you’re not getting fish along the banks. — Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
Madison River, Upper — The upper has been fishing great overall. The West Fork has been pumping mud. Before the cold snap there was a good number of caddis and March browns. Once temps come up a little more we will see them again. Until then, BWOs are on the menu. Small and flashy is the name of the game if nymphing. Green Machines, $3 Dips, Purple Deaths, Worms, Shop Vacs, black & brown Rubberlegs and your favorite Caddis Pupa are all good bets. You can also have some success dead drifting a Sculpin under a bobber. Dry fly fishing has been good if you stay late in the day. An Elk Hair Caddis trailed behind a Purple Haze has been our go-to when fish are eating on top. We have had good reports of anglers doing well on BWOs near Raynolds and Three Dollar bridge when there are some clouds and low wind. There has been some fish coming to streamers; cloudy days have been better. Streamer color has been variable, but typically black, olive and white are favorites. We have had reports of anglers getting better streamer action near Lyons Bridge and below. In between the lakes will have some deep snow in spots but you can get in easily below the dam. The sweet spot seems to be the Three Dollar area with excellent streamer, dry and nymph opportunities. — Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
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