Upper Jefferson
Updated 16m agoJefferson · Twin Bridges (Big Hole / Beaverhead confluence) to Cardwell area
🌡️ Water hit 77.7°F in the last 3 days — hoot owl territory
FWP restricts fishing from 2pm to midnight when water hits 73°F for three consecutive days. An official restriction may follow — check FWP before an afternoon session. Fish mornings, land fish fast, and keep them wet.
Fishing Report
Report conditions: 454 cfs · 63.5°F · ▼ 4.4% 24h · ↓25% median
The Jefferson is running clear and in good shape near Twin Bridges, sitting about 24% below median but stable-to-slightly-declining over the last day. Water temp at 63.5°F is comfortable for now, so no restrictions in play here — fish early to mid-morning before afternoon warmth pushes activity down. Focus on Tricos in the braided channels during the morning window, then switch to hoppers, ants and beetles along undercut banks and grassy edges through midday; Yellow Sallies and caddis are also worth a swing through faster riffles. With flows low and clear, expect selective fish, so lighter tippets and accurate presentations will pay off.
| Conditions | Clear, Stable |
| Nymphing | Zebra Midge #20, Sow Bug #16, Pheasant Tail #16, Rubberlegs #8-#14 |
| Dry Fly | Trico Spinner #20, Hopper Pattern #10, Yellow Sally #14, Foam Beetle #16 |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger #8, Montana Humdinger, Daddy's Money, Sluggos |
Based on current conditions and 3 local shop reports · 1h ago
What's Hatching Now
Seasonal Chart →Braided channels = great Trico water
| Dries |
CDC Trico #20-22
Hi-Vis Spinner #18-22
Trico Spinner #18-22
|
| Nymphs |
Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-20
|
| Dries |
Yellow Stimulator #10-14
|
| Nymphs |
Montana Jig Sally #14-16
Yellow Sally Nymph #12-16
|
Mother's Day caddis strong here
| Dries |
CDC Caddis #14-18
Corn Fed Caddis #14-18
Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
X-Caddis #14-18
|
| Nymphs |
Hare's Ear Nymph #12-18
|
Year-round
| Dries |
Griffith's Gnat #18-22
|
| Nymphs |
Mercury Midge #20-22
Spanish Bullet #16-18
Zebra Midge #18-22
|
Prime hopper water; agricultural valley
| Dries |
Chubby Chernobyl #6-12
|
| Terrestrials |
Dave's Hopper #8-12
|
Conditions
Near Twin Bridges
16m agoOvercast
| Flow | cfs · 2.74 ft · 62.4°F |
| Trend | ↓26% med · ▼ 6.7% 24h |
| Wx | 57° · 💨 11 ENE · 🌧️ 1% · H: 72° / L: 57° |