Have Lemons? Make Lemonade!

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This winter has been tough on all of us who enjoy strapping on a board or skis and hitting the Montana mountains. It’s getting a lot easier.

When you are posed with a lack of snow, you have to look at other things.  How about the unthinkable?  How about a float on the mighty Yellowstone River, the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48? A river normally choked with ice so thick this time of year you are more likely to pack an auger than a fly rod.

Now this isn’t the fabulous Missouri, the beloved Madison or the hatchery-like Big Horn.  This is not a tailwater.  Floating the Yellowstone on February 4th is usually fruitless…not to mention possibly dangerous as ice flows can jam the river at any time.

This year, though, the Yellowstone has decided to open its arm early and give us here at Simms a reprieve from a long, but not quite half-way done Montana winter.  Here were some treats from the weekend brought to you by the team at Simms.

What has this weird (and mostly mild across the country) winter meant for your fishing?

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  • www.grossenbacherphoto.com/ Brian Grossenbacher

    Really nice fish everybody.  Looks like a great time.

    • nikky6

      Good to see the Simms crew taking full advantage.

  • Justin Hartman

    We’ve been floating the Beaverhead River for a few
    weeks. Traditionally you’d find ice chunks in the water at the very least, or
    the river would be not be navigable due to a surface covering of ice. But due
    to the warm weather the river is clean and very fishable. We even got in a
    little dry fly action a few days ago.

  • A.J. Gottschalk

    Nice story, and even better opportunity! Nice browns for all too. It’s been nice not having to constantly clear ice from the guides while steelheading here in Western NY. Not worrying about having to haul hard fighting fish out from under ice sheets is good too!

  • Fred Telleen

    Looks like you enjoyed a great weekend. I was in your backyard on Saturday, catching trout on the East Gallatin, between youth hockey games.  The Missouri River has been stellar all winter long.  Its been a lemonade season.