Ruby River – Below Ruby Dam

January 2, 2009

The New Year started off right with a quick trip to the Ruby River. While the Jefferson, Beaverhead, and Big Hole were thoroughly iced over, this section of the Ruby below the dam was open. Though temperatures crept over freezing in Twin Bridges over New Year Day, there wasn’t any safe or practical way to fish the ice-choked channels of nearby rivers. I took a chance and found the water open below Ruby Dam.

The temperature hovered around freezing and icing was a minor problem. The water temperature couldn’t have been much warmer.

Fishing

I managed to get in a couple hours of fishing nymphs and streamers. About the time that snow started falling, I hooked into the only fish of the day that came out to play – a nice, brassy Rainbow about 15” long. It was happy to get back to the water, despite how cold it was, a bit better educated about Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears.

What a great day to start the New Year!