Troutfitters Friday Reports:
Yellowstone:
As of Friday, things are in good shape, the river is clear through the entire stretch now, and with that nice little bit of rain and mud that came through, we are seeing water temps at their coolest in a long time, it's about time that FWP starts looking at lifting closures on this river as things aren't getting above 70 at Livingston. Hopefully that will stay, but what has been happening is that fishing is staying pretty consistent right up until you have to quit fishing. Before the rains came through our hot combo was a friggin olive wooly bugger or any other streamer of choice with a red san juan worm off the back... Not exactly rocket science. Hopper dropper combo is going to be really solid through the afternoons now. If you aren't on our E-Fishing Update, get on it! Or check it out online. I've got some good recommendations (with pictures) for hopper and terrestrial patterns.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 Mustang Sally: 16-18 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 Little Bit of E: 16
Last Updated: 8/10/07
Yellowstone NP waters:
Yellowstone Park officials have NOW issued mandatory fishing closures from 2pm to 5am on many of the major fisheries in the Park including the Firehole, Gibbon and Madison, Slough, Soda Butte and Lamar and the Yellowstone. For complete listings give us a call.The Park is in better shape again, barring more rains. Things got a little dirty this week with some of the rain showers that cooled things down. So with a nice little refresher, things should be good for the weekend. Although I didn't list the park as a place to fish terrestrials (don't ask why, it was late ok...) this is one of the best places around to go and pitch ants and beetles as well as hoppers and attractors. Closures are still in place, although with cooler evenings in the park, it would be nice if they started lifting a few of them... Wait and see on how things shape up, but plan on there being some decent terrestrial fishing on all of the typical stuff. The Gallatin in the park isn't on restrictions and it has cleaned up as well and is fishing well again, a sometimes forgotten place the Gallatin inside the park fishes pretty well and the terrestrial fishing in August can be a really good time. Consider making a weekender and heading down and checking out the northeast corner.
Park Licenses Available for Sale
Park License Pricing for '07: 3 Day License - $15 7 Day License - $20 Annual License - $35
Last Updated: 8/10/07
Spring Creeks:
Nothing really new to report on. Trico spinners, that's the ticket at least out on Milesnicks. Fortunately this is a hatch you don't have to be up at the crack of dawn for. Right around 11 or noon it gets pretty nuts. With the rain again last night and rivers a tad bit off color, the creeks might be a good option. The FFF Conclave is done in Livingston as well so you have a better chance of finding an open rod on the creeks. Pretty much the same story still on the creeks although afternoons are getting better with cooler temps, making the terrestrial fishing with ants, beetles and hoppers quite a bit more productive. Right now hatch wise it's mostly PMD's - spinners, duns and emergers and of course tricos. As we continue into August with winds drying out the grass and blowing insects on the water, small ant beetle and hopper patterns are becoming a bit more effective. The terrestrial fishing will pick up into mid to late August and through the early part of September usually. Just got in some excellent Rene Harrop CDC Ant patterns, perfect for the fish on the spring creeks, stop by and check em out.Fly pattern suggestions:
Real Meals Black & Olive: 16-18 Scuds Olive, Tan, and Grey: 16-18 Ray Charles Grey and Tan: 16-18 Pheasant Tail: 16-18 Mini Juans: 16-18 Wilcox's Little PT: 16-18 Bow River Bugger Black & Olive: 6-8 Black Pheasant Tail: 16-18-20 PMD Emerger: 18-20 Cripple PMD: 16-18-20 Real Thing PMD: 16-18-20 Tailwater Tiny Brown: 18-20 Hogans Sipper PMD: 18-20 Pheasant Tail: 20 Hat Creek PMD: 18-20 PMD CDC Spinner: 18-20 AttractAnt: 16 Fat Head Beetle: 16 Grand Hopper: 14-16 Foam Flying Ant Cinnamon: 18\
Last Updated: 8/10/07
Spring Creek Phone Numbers: DePuy's - (406) 222-0221 Armstrong's - (406) 222-2979 Nelson's - (406) 222-6560 Milesnick's - (406) 388-7001