We are in the middle of the Winter fishing season, so this means small nymphs and afternoon midge hatches. Small zebra midges and red serendipities in sizes #16 and #18. I like to drop these nymphs off of a rubber leg stonefly #6 or #8 or San Juan Worm. On the warmer sunny days you will see midges, and then try a Griffiths Gnat or parachute Adams #18 for the rising fish. During the winter season the fish tend to bunch up, so if you are not catching fish keep moving until you find them. Remember the section Quake lake to Mactee bridge closes to fishing at the end of February and reopens the third Saturaday in May.

There is open water from the Snowflake spring area down river to Cinnamon lodge, then the river is frozen over until you get north of Big Sky. Small flies will be the ticket, midge patterns and little bead heads like pheasant tails. The water north of Big Sky has nice long pools where in the afternoons you should find fish rising to midges. In the deeper runs try nymphing, remember the water is cold so you will need to get the flies on the bottom. The fish are lethargic, so try to drift the nymphs slow.

Classic riffle, run, then a nice pool. There is over ten miles of water like this. Nymph fish the runs and look for rising fish in the pools.

Opens to fishing Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, which is May 29, 2010. Last week I skied into the Barns hole area via the riverside trail. The picture is Brans hole one.