Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
8/21/07 Fishing on the Upper Madison has been productive if you are willing to take the time to change flies often. The flows have dropped again so be take that into consideration on your next trip out. Hoppers have been the ticket in the heat of the day but it's probably not going to carry you from the put in to the take out. As always, try to spot the small seams and tiny shelves; fish, clear in the middle of the river will hold in the tiniest nooks and crannies...and they are often large. Bugger-Bead combinations and twin-nymph set-ups can carry the day if you are willing to adjust the amount of weight on your rig. Think about small, beadless patterns for your second fly as the fish will often only accept a perfect imitation. Stop in or give us a ring if you are heading out & Have fun out there!
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Brown/yellow rubberlegs, Black/Orange Crystal Rubberleg, S.H. Hares Ear, Red Copper John, Flashback Pheasant Tail.
Streamers:
Olive and White Zonker, Kiwi Mudler,
Black Bugger, Silveys sculpin leech.
Dries:
PMX Yellow #10, Parachute Caddis, Grand Hopper Tan, Stalcup Hopper Tan and Yellow, CDC Yellow Sally, Spruce Moth, and Ants.
Upper Madison River Flows
Kirby Ranch:
Average Flow: 1060 cfs
Current Flow: 882 cfs
Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
8/21 The Yellowstone is now open down to the mouth of the Stillwater. With this in mind start thinking about fishing with hoppers and large attactor patterns when the wind starts to pick up and blow these terrestrials into the river. Otherwise the bugger-bead combo will be a productive approach if the surface activity is not producing. Streamer fishing has had it's moments so keep the box handy. Rainstorms have changed the water clarity on occasion so be open to fish a number of places before you go. GIVE US A CALL OR STOP BY FOR A MORE UP TO DATE REPORT!
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, Chubby Chernobyl Black, JC Special Gray, Royal Wulff #10, Grand Hopper
Nymphs:
Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Rubberlegs Rusty Olive, Diamond Soft Hackle, Superflash Pheasant Tail, SH Hares Ear, Lightning Bug, SH Copper John, hungarian caddis.
Yellowstone River Flows
Corwin Springs:
Average Flow: 2780cfs
Current Flow: 1610 cfs
More on the Web
Livingston:
Average Flow: 3300 cfs
Current Flow: 1790 cfs
Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
8/21/07 - Gallatin - You can still entice risers to caddis, pmd's and general attractors. The flow is low and clear so you will probably have to downsize your offerings to #14's, 16's and 18's. Beads will be the hot ticket and we mostly recommend soft hackles, small princes and pheasant tail patterns. Blue, Red, Copper, Peacock and standard brown seem to grab attention best. If you are not dead-set on dry fishing you can pull off the twin nymph setup in the deeper runs. Due to the low flows, you should find pods of eager fish in the deeper sections of river. If you are making the trek above the taylors fork in Southern Montana and YNP you'll find very low, clear water in the meadows. Dry only and dry-dropper setups work best, be sure to keep your flies small and your presentations accurate. Trailer flies should be closer than normal to the lead fly as flows are similar to small creek fishing. Have fun and get out and enjoy some good fishing.
Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Explosion Stone Purple, Olive/Brown Rubberlegs, SH Copper John Red and Blue, Superflash Pheasant Tail, and prince nymph.
Streamers:
Kiwi Muddler,JJ Special, Girdle Bug,Woolhead Sculpin.
Dries:
Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Limeade, Twisted Sister Purple, Spruce Moth, Yellow PMX, JC Special Pheasant Tail.
Gallatin River Flows
Gallatin Gateway:
Average Flow: 564 cfs
Current Flow: 490 cfs