Via TroutHunter:
August 13, 2007
by Rick Smith
Box Canyon: The "Box" continues to fish well. Streamers, both stripped and dead drifted, have probably taken the largest fish over the past week or so but, small (sizes 16 and 18) beadhead nymphs have produced their share of both large and small fish. Fishing a couple of small beadheads under an indicator will probably get you more fish but a well fished streamer will usually get you the biggest fish. Streamer patterns that have worked well include olive Zonkers, olive and white Double Bunnies, olive Slump Busters, and LE Olive/Black Marabou Leeches. Flows in the "Box" are presently at 996 cfs which is a little below normal for this time of year.
Last Chance/Railroad Ranch: The "Ranch" continues to be somewhat predictable in an unpredictable way. The hatches of tricos, Callibaetis, PMDs and ants have been fairly predictable. In what section of this stretch of water the fish are active has not been so predictable. One day we will have good reports from say the "Gravel Pit" area and the next day it will not produce. But, on that day, the lower end of "Millionaire's Pool" and the top end of the "Third Channel" will be on. You just have to be prepared to check with the shops and do some walking in order to find that spot that is going to produce on any given day. Oh yea! Did I mention being lucky?
Riverside to Ashton: The upper portion of this section of the river continues to fish very well with both dry flies and nymphs. This past week I sent a group of visiting fishermen to both the upper Mesa Falls and the Hatchery Ford areas and they returned with praise for both areas not only for the numbers of fish they caught but also for the solitude they found. As I have reported in the past this is a beautiful section of the river to fish and a great place to find some solitude. Also, the Warm River to Ashton section of this portion of the river continues to produce very well. Dry flies, nymphs, and streamers are all producing fish.
Ashton to Saint Anthony: We need shorter days and cooler nights to wake up this portion of the river.
Other Area Waters: Warm River: For the angler who enjoys fishing small water with short, light line, rods for smaller rainbows and little brookies this is a great place to fish. From its headwaters to its confluence with the Henry's Fork this is a wonderful little piece of water that is a real joy to fish. Just grab a handful of little attractor dry flies and have at it.
Madison River (Montana): Although fishing has slowed down a bit on the Maddy it is still producing some good fishing. The key to success at this time of year on the Madison is to show up prepared to fish dries, nymphs and streamers.
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Rick Smith
TroutHunter
trouthunt.com
208.558.9900