We floated Varney to 8 mile yesterday afternoon. It was overcast with just a little wind. The conditions seemed great for an evening float. Unfortunately, the fish didn't cooperate. We tried everything from stripping and dead drifting streamers (bow river buggers, sculpins, yellow yummies), to nymphing (both big and small) to a hopper...we even tried a mouse pattern right at dark. We hooked one nice fish and that was it...and we didn't even get her to the boat.
Not sure if that stretch got slammed during the day or if we were just off (probably the later), but either way it was a humbling experience. I can't remember the last time I got skunked on the Upper Madi. A boat behind us said they were getting them on hoppers...hmmmm.
The Yellowstone seems to be clearing nicely and so does the Gallatin. Have a great weekend and let us know how you did out there.
-Greg
Also on the Upper last evening:
Afternoon into evening fishing was skunskville on Varney to Town. We heard some gapers behind us hooting and hollering but it was probably just a belly hooked whitey. Personally I think the fish were tired. Right before they pulse I think it will be gang busters. Bettle’s are still getting looks as well as a typical hopper patterns. The Claimjumper was consistent last night and that’s about it. Oh they were out of chili so I couldn’t order the dirty diaper.Bob Meade
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures
The Upper Maddie was not fishing well at all yesterday. Even snagging up and having to re-tie a different fly NUMEROUS times by each person in the boat did not produce any fish. Greg Burden had the only hook-up of the day but was 40 feet behind the boat, which led to the fish throwing the fly - BOACH!Nate Kepler
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures
