InsideSeam - Shop eReports

The River's Edge:

7-30 The river has still been a bit dirty but seems to be clearing up near Gardiner. Our guides skipped going up there today but we expect, barring any more rain or mudslides, that it may be fishable tommorrow or the next day. Check back for more info GIVE US A CALL OR STOP BY FOR A MORE UP TO DATE REPORT!

Via www.troutfitters.com:

Been running most of our trips on the Madison lately, and it has been good. Varney to town fishing well on top with hopper/dropper, and side channels fishing well with stinger sculpins. The flows seem to have steadied out again, probably will change once we update today. But for now it's down a bit around 1260CFS. We fished last Wednesday from Storey to Ennis (I know long float) but it was easily in the top 5 days I have ever had on this river. We started out fishing streamers and picked up some nice fish, switched over to a sculpin with a beadhead off the back and absolutely stroked fish for a good solid 3 to 4 hours beneath the surface under an indicator. Lots of fish hanging out in the small sidechannels eating hoppers and ants. Didn't really see any PMD's but again, couldn't have cared less as we put 15-20 16-18" browns to the boat from Storey to Varney. Our best rig was a Bow River Bugger trailing a 16 or 18 beadhead whatever you wanted behind it. Better to be up early, and when the clouds come out fish are feeding well on top. Upper stretches around 3 Dollar have fished well, mainly smaller stuff, some PMD's and a few caddis here and there.

Over the weekend, decent reports from the Big Hole, not phenomenal, but definitely not slow either. Hatch wise we heard that there's still some PMD's along with the spruce moth (which has been sweet). And amazingly enough the Trico's are still going - I knew they would be. Afternoons are pretty much toast, so limit your fishing to the early mornings and late evenings. There is a decent PMD spinner fall coming down before the noon hours, so get on it early and get ready for some dry fly fishing before things shut down in the afternoons. Again, if I hear one more guy tell me I can't fish an elk hair for the spruce moth I might have a brain aneurism. The whole river is open except up high where nobody ever fishes anyways. Afternoons are absolute garbage, even more reason to be on early and off early. Water temps got a bit of a break with some cooler evenings, a small break in the weather, and a little rain. Hope that helps these guys over here, because like all of us, they can use the water. Good luck if you make it over.

From Kris @ Troutfitters:

So for a quick clarity update as of Saturday at 10am, things are still dirty, likely will be till Monday it sounds like. Things are still coming down dirty from the high country - if you have a chance it will be on Monday at the earliest, call for details.The Lamar and Soda Butte spiked over the past couple of days so look for this to be dirty for at least a day or so, will report when we hears it's cleared up again. Until then, don't bother, after it clears get out early or don't bother at all, that's what we're telling clients and customers alike. If you aren't willing to be up around sunrise and on the water shortly thereafter, forget about it, it's not worth your time. The Yellowstone is on Hoot Owl hours, the entire river is closed from 2pm till midnight. This is a good thing because it encourages people to be out early in the mornings when the fishing is best and you aren't harming the fish. Now is really the time to be considerate of our resources - use larger tippit, quickly release fish and always revive them, and try to keep fish in the water as long as possible, and try to limit photo opportunities. Will get you a better report once things clear again.

Fly pattern suggestions:
Ugly Bug Brown, Golden, & Black: 6-8-10 Mega Prince: 6-8-10 CH Bow River Bugger Olive & Black: 2-4-6 Silvey's Sculpin Olive, Tan & Black: 2 Chubby Golden: 6-8-10-12 PMX Lime, Black, Red & Peacock: 10-12-14 Chubby Orange: 10-12 Twisted Baby Yellow and Red: 14-16 Twisted Baby Purple: 14-16 Twisted Baby Tan & Chartreuse: 14-16 Headlight Sally: 14-16 Lightning Bug Gold: 12-14-16 Chubby Hopper: 6-8-10 AttractAnt: 16 Fat Head Beetle: 16 Hopper Popper: 6-10 Grand Hopper: 8-10-12-14-16
Last Updated: 7/28/07

Today's report from our friends at Slide Inn:

Water levels have dropped by 400 CFS over the course of the week, making the river a little easier to navagate for most wade anglers. Look for Caddis and PMD action in the mornings, but if they're not feeding on the surface, a #16 green caddis pupa or a #16-18 emerging PMD nymph should get their attention. Afternoons have been a little tougher, but ants beetles and hoppers have brought some big fish. Evening spinners have been pretty good, from 7:30 till dark, 14 to 16 Rust or olives.

From The River's Edge:

7/28 THE GALLATIN IS CURRENTLY DIRTY FROM RAINS IN THE PARK, CALL OR STOP IN FOR THE LATEST UPDATE* Dry fly or dry-dropper fishing is the way to go up in the Gallatin Canyon. If you are wading under or around spruce tree's- try a spruce moth. For the rest of the canyon expect to see several types of caddis, yellow sally stones and pmd's. Between the canyon and YNP expect to see a bit of the same so take slightly smaller imitations of the above mentioned patterns. Due to the warmer temps, the lower reaches of the Gallatin from I-90 to Three Forks is closed to fishing from 2PM til Midnight. To be honest, the river is very mossy down there so I'd recommend giving those fish a break and avoid the lower river all together. Have fun and release fish as quickly as possible, it's hot outside!

The latest from Troutfitters:

"Report from Kris": Featuring a 'tip of the week' about attractor patterns.

Other waters report: The Beaverhead has been fishing very well with nice and steady flows. Yellow sallies are still around as are pmd's and caddis and the dry fly fishing has been fairly productive, although nymphing has been much more consistent on small mayfly and caddis nymphs. Also seeing terrestials - hoppers, ants and beetles - fishing is good.

Fishing high mountain lakes is a great way to beat the heat. A little early for terrestrials but plenty of damsels on the waters. Dailey, Harrison, Ennis, Cliff, Wade, Quake and Hebgen are all fishable. Reports are that there is some dry fly activity on Ennis in the evenings and mornings, Hebgen the gulpers are now into full swing and fishing has been really good. A few guys out on Fairy fishing for the cruisers and that has apparently been really good - lake patterns include damsels, scuds, leeches, and chironomids.

The Ruby has fished well, starting to look up and eat some terrestrials way up high above the dam. Water levels are quite a bit lower making wade fishing really easy. Just don't go above the high water mark here - don't want to offend the landowners plus it's the law.

Hyalite is fishing well, reservoir is approaching levels where you can wade around it again and be productive. The creek is good as well, fish starting to munch on attractor dries and caddis in the evenings, along with some of the infamous spruce moths...

Talked with guys up in Missoula and things are pretty hot and miserable right now, even morning temps are in the 70's, so unless you are in the area, wouldn't bother with a drive.

The Henry's Fork is the same story as most places, good early and late - PMD's and a few terrestrials - afternoons are garbage. So get on early or late there are some flavs.

Hebgen Lake: 7/25/07 Gulper fishing on Hebgen is still very good. Callibaetis hatches have been heavy and good numbers of fish are feeding on these mayflies. Carefully leading rising fish with spinner patterns has been the best way to fool them with dries. Bobbing Hare’s Ears, Flashback Pheasant Tails and Turkey Callibaetis nymphs under an indicator has been a fine way to get a mess of hookups as fish are really keying in to emerging Callibaetis nymphs. Make sure to keep both eyes on the bobber or dry.

Quake Lake: 7/25/07 Quake is having its fair share of Gulper fishing. Callibaetis hatches have not been as thick as those on Hebgen, but there have been a fair number of ants on the water as well. The combination of these flies has made for a fishable dry fly bite most mornings until the wind puts an end to the show. Hopper fishing can be good in the afternoons with a little breeze and the streamer bite hasn’t been too shabby late in the evening.

Paradise Valley Spring Creeks

Depuy's, Nelson's, and Armstrong's are fishing great. Good numbers of fish and some real tankers are in the creeks right now looking to hit the feed bag on yellow bugs. PMDs are taking center stage right now. Tis THE time on the creeks for some great summer dry fly hatch matching!! Most of the hatch activity has been centered on the PMDS by the mid-morning hours. On some days under a broken cloud cover or more clouds than sun and little wind (hmm when was the last time that all came together?...) watch for the yellow bugs to last right into the evening spinner fall! Generally speaking, if the fish aren't up on top eating duns, crips, knock downs, etc. they'll still be in the staging areas looking for food on the surface. You can get them to eat a well presented "seeker" right now without much trouble at all. Midges will be on in the early AM for those of you that can't wait for the banker's hours hatch. Gotta love the yellow bug. Extra cup of joe and the full newspaper to read before things get going....

Hatches: Midges in the morning. PMDs by mid morning. If ya miss the bugs, hang tight until evening cool down and watch for the spinner fall as well as some evening caddis.

Hot Patterns:
Dries: Biot emergers and captive duns,Transitional Duns, Almost duns, CDC cripples and emergers for the PMD when present. Small Griffiths gnats, Wollum's emergers, ultra thin para Adams, CDC biot emergers for the midges.

Nymphs: midge larvae in red, olive, & cream; thread midge pupa same colors, Miracle nymphs, skinny Nelson, Master PMD, Downy PMD Wonder nymph.

Streamers: Why? You should be flogged and beaten about the cranium with a 9 weight if you even think of huckin' junk right now.

www.montanaflyfishers.com

DAILY RIVER REPORT

July 23nd, 2007

1,530 CFS

Simply put, the upper Madison is in its prime. Early risers have been doing very well nymphing yellow sallie nymphs, caddis larva, and PMD emerging nymphs, and those willing to jerk-strip an olive circus peanut during those hours have been doing exceptionally well. As far as surface activity goes, PMD's have been hatching around 10:00 a.m. with the caddis joining in sporadically throughout the morning. Afternoon fishing has been a little tougher up on top, but small hoppers, beetles, spruce moths, PMXs, craneflies, and especially ANTS have been the key to bringing some really nice fish to the surface. That being said, nymphing is still your best for sheer numbers during the hot afternoons-- #14-18 Caddis pupa (green), #16 brown hare's ears, copper johns, and shop vacs have been some of the top producers. For the evening, all you really need in your box are a few size #16 tan and olive caddis from 6:00-8:30 p.m., and a size 14-16 rusty spinner from 8:30- dark ( the spinner falls have been incredible!). Top streamer patterns continue to be yellow sex dungeons, brown and yellow double screamers, olive and white circus peanuts, gray and white articulated zonkers, and T&A Bunkers. If you have any questions on where to fish or what the "fly of the day" is out on the river, stop by the shop, and one of our experienced guides will be more than happy to assist you.

Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
7/23 ***Beginning 7/21 the Yellowstone will be closed to fishing from 2pm until midnight daily, until further notice due to consistant warm water temperature** The dry fly fishing has been good with smaller fish eating the pmds and caddis in the mornings and the bigger fish looking up for large attractors and some hoppers, particularly on the upper river. As far as nymphing is concerned, anything green seems to be the ticket with the moss that is currently in the river. Green buggers or zonkers fished with a small bead below them have been best. Streamer fishing on the upper river above Livingston has been excellent in recent days, even in the bright sunlight. Below Livingston, the river is a bit mossy so if you go down there, expect to be busy and with the warmer temps hovering around 70 degrees, its best for the fish to fish early and get them back in the river quickly. One quick reminder is to be sure to stop fishing at 2 oclock and remove your flies from your rod, as the fish and game have been regulating the waters very closely. Otherwise get out and have a good time!

Recommended Fly Patterns
Streamers:
Girdle Bug, Zirdle, Zonkers, JJ Special, Yuk Bug, Crown Jewel, Buggers,
Silvey's sculpin, Bighorn Bugger.

Dries:
Yellow PMX, Parachute Caddis, Parachute PMD, JC Special Gray, Tilt Wing PMD, Grand Hopper

Nymphs:
Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Rubberlegs Rusty Olive, Diamond Soft Hackle, Superflash Pheasant Tail, SH Hares Ear, Lightning Bug, SH Copper John

Yellowstone River Flows
Corwin Springs:
Average Flow: 5850 cfs
Current Flow: 2380 cfs
More on the Web
Livingston:
Average Flow: 7160 cfs
Current Flow: 2700cfs
More on the Web

www.finsandfeathers.com

Fly-Fishing Report
Updated 07/22/2007

GUIDE'S CHOICE (Upper Madison)
The Upper Madison flows have been between 1400-1700 lately, providing better boating and overall fishing conditions. Caddis and PMD's have been bringing fish to the surface, and bushy attractor dries have been working well with a small beadhead PMD or yellow sally nymph underneath it. Dead drifting a small beadhead or soft hackle behind a large "look-at-me" fly such as a McCune's sculpin, zonker, or Sheila sculpin can turn some of the bigger fish up there, but can also just simply be productive. Brown flexi-rubberlegs have been a standby go-to nymph lately.

Gallatin
CFS: 502

The Gallatin is flowing clear. Overall the Gallatin is fishing good. Fish have been taking attractor dries such as PMX's, Humpies, & Crystal Stimulators, as well as the more specific patterns for PMD's and caddis. Also, the Spruce Moths are starting to get on the water, and fish are eating them. Evening dry fly fishing with Caddis and PMD's has been good. During the morning and afternoon hours fish will look up for attractor patterns and Yellow Sallies, and terrestrials have started to turn heads. Small beadheads such as Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, and Lightning Bugs are productive throughout the day. The lower Gallatin below the I-90 bridge and the East Gallatin are closed after 2pm.

Lower Madison
CFS: 1,650

The Lower Madison is closed after 2pm due to high water temperatures. The water is warm enough that they are doing pulse flows daily to cool it down, and the party boats are filling the Warm Springs to Black's Ford float. There are definitely better fishing options right now. The water temperature has been between 70-76 degrees, so fish early mornings. A Clouser Crayfish, Rick's Cray, or a McCune's Sculpin followed by a small beadhead nymph such as a bubbleback pheasant tail or lightning bug is your best bet. Once the water temperature gets this high the fishing slows down, and remember fish often die after being released in water over 70 degrees, so take extra care nursing back before releasing them.

Yellowstone
CFS: 2,850 Livingston

The Yellowstone is closed to fishing from 2pm until midnight due to high water temps.The hot weather has slowed fishing midday recently. The best fishing will be in the mornings. Fish have been rising to caddis, Yellow Sallies, PMD's, and attractor patterns such as PMX's, Trudes and Stimulators. Hoppers and Terrestrials have also received some attention lately, and tricos are starting to show up as well. Nymphing with a Zonker or Bow River Bugger followed by a Lightning Bug has been a good combo, and beadhead soft hackles have also worked well as dropper flies.

Upper Missouri
CFS: 3,480 Holter Dam

There are many caddis and PMD's on the river, and the dry fly fishing is great. Fish a #16 Tan X-Caddis or any number of PMD patterns. Hit this river now before the crowds and hot weather slows the fishing. Nymphing has been good lately. Mini Two Tone Worm followed by a #16 Soft Hackled Pink Sow Bug has been productive lately. Little pheasant tail variations and #18 mayfly nymphs have been working well, as have caddis pupa. One more thing that has been working is crayfish patterns on a dead drift. Fishing crayfish is often overlooked by anglers on the Mo, but over the last year they have produced very well. Before the weeds get bad, another option is fishing streamers. A J.J. Special or Olive Bow River Bugger with a pulse retrieve has been working well. The river below Hauser Lake is another option. The spawners are done, so the crowds won't be quite as crazy. It has been nymphing well with #18 Superflash Pheasant Tails and #16 Pink Ray Charles.

Bighorn
CFS: 1,760 St. Xavier

Fishing remains solid on the Horn. Mostly nymphing but the midge and baetis fishing has been great recently. PMD's have not really gotten going this year, and the low water may have something to do with this. A #14 Two Tone Mini Worm and a #16 Buff Sow Bug will catch so many fish, your arm will hurt. Not much has changed over the last month or so, other than increased pressure. There are a ton of fish in the river in the 17-19 inch range and they are lined up in the riffles. The flows have been stable at about 1700 c.f.s. for quite a while and the river is very accessable to wade fishermen.

Spring Creeks
CFS:

The PMDs have arrived on the creeks along with some caddis. Not a ton of PMD's, but when you catch the hatch right, you can find good dry fly action. The rest of the time, you can do well on a #18 Brown Micro May or your favorite tiny mayfly nymph patterns. The spring creeks are a great option right now, but make your reservation early. They can get busy when most of the area is unfishable.

Yellowstone National Park

Water temperatures of 82 degrees killed hundreds of rainbow and brown trout in the Firehole. The voluntary restrictions have become mandatory. They are asking people not to fish between noon and six on many of the park waters. The Firehole is unfishable at these temperatures. The Madison can offer some tricky fishing with attractors, caddis and ants. The Gibbon is good with attractors such as Wulffs and Humpies. Fishing on the Gibbon can require skill as the fish can be very spooky. Lamar and Soda Butte are closed at 2pm as well but are fishing well in the morning with caddis, small hoppers, and PMD's. Fish are looking up for various attractors at times and also nymphing is good. Slough is also closed at 2pm. Fishing is good with Green and Grey Drakes, PMD's and Caddis. There are still Salmonflies and Golden stones on the Yellowstone near Tower, but it also has afternoon restrictions. Check with the park to see if what is closed when you go. Fishing Lewis and Shoshone Lakes can be very good this time of year with big streamers but we haven't heard any reports back yet.

The Dillon Area
CFS:

The Upper stretch of the Big Hole is closed to fishing due to warm and low water conditions. Downstream fishing has been good with attractor patterns such as stimulators, humpies and also some caddis, and fishing should be taking hoppers as well. The tailwater section of the Beaverhead is a great option in warm weather, with good numbers of fish being caught, albeit maybe not a lot of huge fish. Fish are mostly being caught on small caddis and mayfly beadhead nymphs such as pheasant tails and crystal serpendipities. The caddis fishing in the evening has been great, and the crowds aren't that bad either. As usual nymphing is the game here. For the Stillwater guy, Clark Canyon has been fishing very well this year and is a good option for someone looking to tangle with a big fish.

The Missoula Area
CFS:

The Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Clark Fork all have madatory afternoon closures because of the high water temps, so Rock Creek is probably your bet. PMD's, Hoppers, Caddis and other attractor dries and terrestrials should work well, and dropping a beadhead nymph off the back will also garner attention. Keep in mind that water temperatures are getting pretty high in the afternoons and evenings, so starting early is a good idea.

The Henry's Fork
CFS:

The entire river is now open to fishing. PMD'S and Flavs are the main hatches going on. Fishing is best in the Warm River to Chester Dam stretch. Nymphing has been good in the box canyon. Also up the South Fork there has been some excellent nymphing and big stoneflies will be starting any time. The Last Chance section is slowing down and Harriman's is fishing o.k. with PMD's.

Area Lakes and Reservoirs
CFS:

Canyon Ferry lake fishing seems to have slowed down. Harrison Lake has been fishing pretty well lately with damsel nymphs, Callibaetis nymphs, and small sparse leeches. On Hebgen,the Callibaetis are going, and fish are eating. In the evening there have been a lot of caddis on the water also. Ennis lake also has Callibaeitis hatching, and Tricos are starting as well. Clark Canyon Resevoir has been fishing very well lately with big princes and chironomids. Hyalite is fishing ok with leeches and small nymphs slow retreived. There have been lots of folks up on the upper end of the lake, which is where you want to be right now. The spawning fish have returned to the resevoir and have been eating; the biggest obstacle is vegetation in the water.

Yellowstone Park Waters:
Jul-18-2007

Yellowstone National Park has instituted VOLUNTARY angling closures on many of the streams inside of Yellowstone between the hours of noon and 6:00 PM. The closure was a blanket act for almost all of the roadside fisheries in Yellowstone and doesn’t reflect actual stream conditions on all of the rivers it was imposed on. We urge anglers to carry a thermometer and not fish a stream if water temps are in the 70’s and especially the high 70’s or higher. However, some streams affected by the voluntary closures have had water temps in recorded in the low fifties. These temps are ideal for trout and absolutely no harm will come from catching and quickly releasing fish in these conditions.
Madison River: 7/18/07
The Madison inside the Park is one of the streams listed in the Park Service’s midday closure. The Madison is quite warm and should probably be left alone after the morning fishing concludes. We are still seeing good Trico hatches early in the day making the fishing peak early. After the Trikes are done, go do something else.

Firehole River: 7/18/07
While the Firehole is listed as being closed to fishing from noon until 6:00 PM, it should probably be completely closed to all fishing until cool weather drops the water temps. This river is best left alone until cool fall weather takes the water temps back to reasonable levels.

Gibbon River: 7/18/07
The Gibbon below Gibbon Falls is listed as closed to angling between noon and 6:00 PM. Use your thermometer and best judgment on this one. If you choose to fish in the Gibbon look for fast water stretches as these will have plenty of dissolved oxygen. Fish in these pocket water reaches tend to eat attractor dries like Parachute Adams and Trudes.

Gallatin River YNP: 7/18/07
The Gallatin is one of the few roadside streams NOT listed in the Park Closure and we’ve had some great fishing in the Park section. PMD’s and Caddis have hatched in the mornings. Probing likely pools, runs and pockets with PMD Parawulffs, Elk Hair Caddis and Iris Caddis has been very good. Later in the day switching to pure attractor dries like Stimulators and Wulffs has continued the good fishing. Late in the evening caddis and mayfly spinners continue the trend in good dry fly fishing. A simple Parachute Adams works great for poking around. Steadily rising trout can be tempted with more realistic patterns like Calf Wing Rusty Spinners and CDC Caddis.

Yellowstone River: 7/18/07
The Yellowstone opened below Fishing Bridge for angling on the 15th. What was once an annual event generating excitement and the promise of excellent angling was instead marked by a shrug of indifference by most of the area’s anglers. Fish numbers are still very low keeping the Yellowstone above the falls off the list of the Park’s top fishing destinations.

Slough Creek: 7/18/07
Slough Creek is listed as one of the streams with a voluntary closure, though water temps remain in the low to mid sixties. Fishing has been very good on Slough as the river’s native Yellowstone Cutthroat have been actively feeding, but these fish aren’t pushovers. A good drift with a close imitation is necessary to catch fish most of the time, though surprisingly, trout will at times eat something totally outlandish. The water is very low and clear so keeping a low profile and carefully approaching likely pools is always a good idea. Small PMD’s (down to size 20), Baetis, and Midges dominate the aquatic insects. Ants and Beetles are playing an increasing role in fooling these fish.

Lamar and Soda Butte: 7/18/07
Both Slough and the Lamar are listed as streams with a voluntary angling closure between noon and 6:00 PM. Water temps on these rivers are in the fifties, however, so there is no danger of killing a trout provided it is quickly and carefully landed and released. Fishing has been very good on these streams and the large number of fisherman is a testament to this. PMD hatches are thinning out but fish are still eagerly eating a well presented PMD Parachute, Floating Nymph or PMD Emerger. Lime Trudes, ants and beetles have also been good flies on both of these rivers. Hoppers are more abundant in the grass than they have been but fishing imitations has yet to be fruitful.