The “Ruby” is a small red-ribbon trout river located in southwestern Montana. The fishing is above and below the Ruby River Reservoir east of the town of Twin Bridges. The best fishing is along a 45 mile section below the reservoir which flows through irrigated fields. Gently flowing, the Ruby runs parallel to highways 357 and 287 and a gravel road. Trout Unlimited has provided fishing access points just below the dam in concert with the local ranchers.
This section of the Ruby is a walk-wade with a good population of brown trout, rainbow trout and many whitefish. In this case, small river does not mean small fish – you will find a good number of 20″ fish in a river that stays relatively clear even with early run-off.
Trout season is from the third Saturday in May through November but does allow catch-and-release fishing for trout with artificial lures when the season is closed.
Being surrounded by hay fields, grasshoppers are a main source for the trout with a hopper fly being a good choice.
Ruby River Fishing Access Map
