Jefferson River – Hell’s Canyon Fishing Access

February 16, 2009 back to Fishing Journal

A long holiday weekend end with another day barely breaking freezing, this time on the third of three classic southwestern Montana rivers in as many days. Good friend Robert Klein decided to accompany me this time. The bright winter sunshine and a bit less breeze than we’d been having earlier in the weekend was enough to warm the fine fellow. He provided some much needed and very welcome casting instruction.

Water

This was my first time on the Jefferson River in memory. I focused on a channel near the fishing access parking and then just above the highway bridge on the main channel. River levels obviously had been higher during the coldest part of the winter, with ice banks making access and travels along the banks treacherous. Occasional ice flows, some of significant size, came and went.

Fishing

While the fish continued in their torpid state, not showing interest in a variety of streamers tossed near and far, shallow and deep. Robert pointed out how I was short-stroking casts, particularly with the slow moving streamers. Throwing up, letting it straighten, and powering the tip forward was the lesson of the day. The sooner I stopped on the forward stroke, too, the less I plowed the heavy streamer into the river. Stall it over the water and drop, in perfect timing.

Time went quickly and the holiday weekend had to end too soon. I would be on the Olympic Peninsula in less than 24 hours.