Ice Cover

For a short time each spring the shoreline shallows lose their ice lid first while the deeper water is still ice covered. This is a prime time for foraging fish. They are drawn to the ice-free shallows because of warmer temperatures and can cruise the ice shelf juncture in safety. Cast to the ice edge and retrieve parallel to it. The only disadvantage is that this is a short-lived condition. Montana’s Hebgen Lake provides exciting action if one casts streamers parallel to its shoreline ice lid. Lunker browns and rainbows charge your flies from underneath the ice cover.