Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Ice Bowl Archives

Winter Returns

Winter weather on tap for this weekend with a Winter Storm Watch in effect from tomorrow morning through Saturday evening.

Highs near 50 today along with gusty winds. Rain and snow tonight becoming all snow tomorrow morning. Temperatures begin to drop Friday night and we’ll see highs in the single digits and lows in the negative digits through Monday.

Precipitation forecasts are all over the board but the Storm Watch is for the possibility of heavy snow with accumulations between 5 and 10 inches at lower elevations with 10 – 20 inches possible in most mountain areas. We’re not looking forward to the shoveling however that 10-20 in the mountains is much needed so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

It looks to be short lived as we’ll climb back into the 30’s the middle part of next week but this is probably not the weekend to plan on fishing the MO.

The timing is perfect however as you can attend the Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Ice Bowl Membership Drive and Winter Social at Sleeping Giant Lanes in Helena without feeling like you’re missing out on fishing. Lanes open at 4 PM.

It’s a great way to spend a winter evening knocking down some pins while supporting the amazing work done by PBTU and maybe even getting yourself involved.

Back at it next week as we close out this first month of 2023 and hopefully kick off February by getting back on the water. There’s nothing like cold, sunny days fishing midges on the MO. Bring it!

February on the MO

We’re one month in to 2022 and though it feels like the dead of winter as we settle into the current cold front, the season will be upon us before you know it. January felt LONG, as it always does but as we turn the page to February today the countdown is underway.

Enjoy these final weeks of solitude because very soon we’re going to be in the thick of it. We got a little taste of what’s to come over the weekend with a fair amount of traffic both the wade and boat varieties. A mild weather weekend in late January always brings out the crowds by winter standards but nothing like we’ll see in a few more weeks as spring approaches.

Fishing has been good, especially on the front side of this weather system which arrived last night. The nymphing has been solid with plenty of fish being caught on the swing as well. More often than not you’ll have at least a little wind to contend with but if you somehow hit it on a calm day you can expect some dry fly action as well as the midge action begins to heat up.

It’s the time of year you can often run the same nymph rig all day long, never changing flies or depths and hooking up throughout the day.

Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sows, Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Pederson’s Sow, Soft Hackle Sows etc. Bug selection is not critical. If you happen to be out there on the right day and you’re fishing the right water you should have plenty of success.

Slow and deep is your target water but don’t overlook those tailouts, especially if you’re swinging. Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups, Thin Mints and Black Buggers have all been deadly on the swing.

Winter has returned today with temps back in the teens and wind chills in the single digits and below. More of the same on tap for tomorrow but we start to warm up again Thursday and into the weekend with highs back in the 40’s and pushing 50 on Monday. Expect some traffic out there this weekend and look for things to get busier as winter progresses. Cabin Fever usually starts to hit folks pretty hard in February with the promise of spring on the not-too-distant horizon.

It’s the perfect time to take advantage of our Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special. Get Two nights of lodging and a full day guided trip for one or two anglers for just $550 with NO CANCELLATION FEES FOR ANY REASON.

It’s always a roll of the dice with the weather in the winter but rest assured that if things end up going south with the weather, or if you just have a change of heart and decide you don’t want to catch a bunch of Missouri River trout on a winter afternoon, you’re not on the hook for anything. With nothing to lose there’s no reason you shouldn’t be booking your winter guide trip on the MO. An abundance of fish and winter solitude await!

If you’re looking for things to do in Helena this weekend don’t miss Pat Barnes TU 2022 Ice Bowl Membership Drive and Winter Social at Sleeping Giant Lanes on Saturday at 4 PM. Bowling compliments of PBTU, pizza compliments of Rocky Mountain Credit Union. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday evening in February.