Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Jefferson River (Montana)
The Jefferson River in Montana fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a freestone fishery for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, with the most reliable window in April, May, June. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
This is not a live report of other anglers' catches. Presence and flow live on the Jefferson River river page and the Montana destination guide.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Jefferson River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-26 | Zebra Midge |
| February | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-26 | Zebra Midge |
| March | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-26 | Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat |
| Skwala stonefly | #10-12 | Skwala Dry, Pat's Rubber Legs | |
| April | Skwala stonefly | #10-12 | Skwala Dry, Pat's Rubber Legs |
| Blue-winged Olive (Baetis) | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2 | |
| March Brown (Rhithrogena) | #12-14 | March Brown Dry, Hare's Ear | |
| May | March Brown (Rhithrogena) | #12-14 | March Brown Dry, Hare's Ear |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis | |
| Blue-winged Olive (Baetis) | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2 | |
| June | Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) | #4-8 | Sofa Pillow, Rogue Foam Stone, Pat's Rubber Legs |
| Golden Stonefly (Hesperoperla) | #6-10 | Golden Stone Dry, Pat's Rubber Legs | |
| Pale Morning Dun (Ephemerella) | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Comparadun | |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis | |
| July | Golden Stonefly (Hesperoperla) | #6-10 | Golden Stone Dry, Pat's Rubber Legs |
| Pale Morning Dun (Ephemerella) | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Comparadun | |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, Goddard Caddis | |
| Terrestrials | #8-12 | Hopper, Foam Beetle, Ant | |
| August | Terrestrials | #8-12 | Hopper, Foam Beetle, Ant |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis | |
| September | Blue-winged Olive (Baetis) | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2 |
| October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) | #8-12 | October Caddis, Stimulator | |
| Terrestrials | #8-12 | Hopper, Foam Beetle, Ant | |
| October | Blue-winged Olive (Baetis) | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2 |
| October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) | #8-12 | October Caddis, Stimulator | |
| Mahogany Dun (Paraleptophlebia) | #14-16 | Mahogany Sparkle Dun | |
| November | Blue-winged Olive (Baetis) | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2 |
| Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-26 | Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat | |
| December | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-26 | Zebra Midge |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Jefferson River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Jefferson River?
- Start with Zebra Midge and Griffith's Gnat, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Jefferson River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Jefferson River?
- The editorial window we list is April, May, June, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Jefferson River?
- Montana has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Jefferson River?
- Open the Jefferson River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Jefferson River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
River guide
Jefferson River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Destination
Montana
Trip planning for this region.
Pattern
Zebra Midge
Midge
Pattern
Griffith's Gnat
Dry
Pattern
Pat's Rubber Legs
Nymph
Fly shop
Arrick's Fly Shop
37 Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Fly shop
Beartooth Flyfishing
2925 US-287, Cameron, MT 59720
Nearby water
Beaverhead River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Big Hole River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Bighorn River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Bitterroot River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.