The Gallitin
is in good shape and reports have been pretty good lately down lower in the valley towards he Gallatin Belgrade and Manhattan. Some fish moving around and on beds down lower, so if you know a few good spots, now would be that time of year to be going after the big boys. Hatch activity wise, BWO's are going to pretty much be done at this point. So don't expect any hot and heavy dry fly hatches, been a little cold and getting long into the year at this point - wait for midges in Jan/Feb. Nymphing has been productive however, not talking to anyone fishing the canyon, but sections outside of the canyon, Axtell etc, have been decent. Just been sort of hit or miss with a mostly bright and sunny fall so far. Maybe this weekend will be a little better with rain and overcast in the forecast. I'd be concentrating on nymphing at this point unless you get a good cloudy day, then I'd head down lower and throw some streamers and see what you can pull out, that can be pretty productive - and by that I mean one or two big fish! Good luck this week if you make it out!
Fly pattern suggestions:
BH FB PT: 14-16-18-20 Copper John Black, Olive & Chartreuse: 16-18-20 Copper Bead Mayfly: 16-18 Wilcox's Little Green Machine: 16-18-20 Anatomay Hares Ear & Peacock: 14-16-18 Mega Prince: 8-10 Mega Hares Ear: 6-8 Olive & Black Woolbuggers: 2-4-6-8 CH Bow River Bugger Black, Olive & Brown: 2-4-6 Eyez Wide Open Olive & Tan: 2 JJ's Special: 2-4-6-8 Hotwire Mayfly Olive: 14-16-18 Biotic Nymph Black & Olive: 14-16
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Upper Madison
Since the Park closed this last weekend, expect to see a few more folks hanging out between the lakes now. That's still one of the more productive stretches of the Madison even though it gets absolutely pounded all year long. The 3 Dollar and Slide Inn areas typically fish fairly well at this time of year as the BWO fishing dies off and the fish start feeding heavily on smaller midge patterns etc. I also like to pitch eggs and san juan worms on about every river at this time of year and the Upper Madison is no exception. Haven't heard from anyone reporting any really big fish on the Upper Madison this fall, although I'm sure there's been a few bruisers caught no doubt. With a few days coming up here forecasted to be cloudy and this weekend forecasted to be rainy maybe this is going to be the weekend for some better streamer fishing, I definitely would be heading out for a good weekend if I weren't working! Flows are still low, sitting right around 670CFS at Cameron so don't drag out a new driftboat for this river right now - everything should be easily accessible on foot though
Fly pattern suggestions:
JJ's Special: 2-4-6-8 BH FB PT: 14-16-18-20 Firey Juan: 10 Copper John Black, Olive & Red: 16-18-20 Silvey's Sculpin Tan & Olive: 2 Eyez Wide Open Tan & Olive: 2 Bow River Bugger Olive & Black: 2 Mustang Sally: 16-18 Hairy Sculpin Brown & Light Olive: 2-4 Copperwire Mayfly Olive & Tan: 16-18 BH FB PT: 16-18 Copper Bead Mayfly: 16-18 Big Red: 6-8 Coppertone: 6-8 Eggs: 8-10 San Juan Worm Red, Purple, Tan: 6
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Lower Madison
Not much has been changing out on the Lower, flows are still low, thinigs are still in good shape, wind has been bad on some days, better on others. Low light conditions have been scarce as the fall has been pretty bright and sunny thus I haven't had a great streamer day out on the Lower lately. But the nymphing has been decent, redds have been pretty easy to spot and there are definitely plenty of those around right now and there are fish on them and rainbows hanging out below munching egg patterns. So if you're purely looking to go out and catch some fish and don't care how you do it, the Lower has been decent, but if streamer fishing is what you seek - head elsewhere. Smaller soft hackles and tiny pheasant tails and such have been very effective. Bug activity wise, there hasn't been much hatching on the bright sunny days, and with cooler rainy weather on the way, you might cross your fingers and hope for a little BWO action but I wouldn't hold my breath, more likely it will be until January/February when we start to see some good midge action. Still getting good solid reports from Beartrap however, plenty of fish up there on beds and spawning and getting good streamer and nymph fishing over the last couple of weeks. Still seeing plenty of redds out on the Lower, so be careful not to tread right through the middle of them.
Fly pattern suggestions:
Stinger Sculpin Olive & Tan: 2 Cone-nan The Barbarian: 2 Silvey's Sculpin Olive & Tan: 2 BH FB PT: 16-18-20 Copper Bead Mayfly: 16-18-20 Deaddrift Crayfish: 4 I Ain't Yo Baby's Daddy Tan & Rust: 10 CDC BWO Emerger: 16-18-20 Olive Anatomay: 16-18 Skip's Nymph Olive: 16 Super Soft PT: 16-18 Brooks Sprout BWO: 16-18-20 Hackle Dun Baetis: 16-18-20 Bubble Back BWO: 16-18 Rootbeer Float BWO: 16-18 Eggs: 10 San Juan Worm Red, Tan & Brown: 6
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Yellowstone
Wow, been a while since we updated. The river is in perfect shape right now, fishing has been hit or miss with the bright sunny warm fall weather. It's nice to be out on the sunny days, but typically the fishing isn't spectacular. That's been the case pretty much statewide lately, and I haven't heard of as many guys heading over to the Yellowstone lately either. Streamer fishing has been pretty hit or miss, with the cloudier days being a lot more hit than miss. BWO's are starting to wind down a fair bit since it's been sunny and warm and now when it starts to get really cold you won't see as good of a river wide hatch, in fact more likely than not you will start to see some midges here and there. Watch out for winds this time of year on the Yellowstone, perfect conditions can be sometimes spoiled by 30+ MPH winds! Fish are definitely spawning, so fishing some of the sidechannels with smaller nymphs and egg patterns can be really productive, don't rule this out just because it's empty of people - the Yellowstone fishes well all throughout the month of November.
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 BH FB PT: 14-16-18 Mustang Sally: 16-18 Lightning Bug Gold: 12-14-16 Eyez Wide Open Tan & Olive: 2 Stinger Sculpin Natural: 2 JJ's Special: 2-4-6-8 Dirty Bird Rust & Tan: 12-14-16 Copper John Black & Olive: 14-16-18 Biotic Nymph Olive & Black: 16 Eggs: 8-10 San Juan Worm Red, Brown and Cinnamon: 6
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Missouri
Pretty much the same story, when it has been calm there have been fish up and eating the BWO's that have been hatching on a consistent basis from around noon till about 4pm. It has just has been pretty weather dependent. Sounds as if the streamer fishing is starting to drop off a bit up this way, but still a few guys getting fish on leeches etc. Been talking with friends who have been mainly going between Hauser and Holter and a few guys making it around the Toston area and the fishing has been pretty good for some big bruisers. From Wolf Creek on down there have been various reports of guys doing well on different things - if you like to head hunt there are still some fish podding up and eating baetis when it hasn't been too windy. But the majority of your fishing should be below the surface on smaller nymphs when the wind picks up! As I always advise, if you're only heading up for the day check the weather and see what's forecasted for the Wolf Creek area before making the trip from the Bozone, or wherever you may call home! This has been a good fall fishery.
Fly pattern suggestions:
San Juan Worm Brown & Red: 10 WD 40 Red and Grey: 18-20 Disco Midge: 18-20 Zebra Midge: 18-20 Scud Pink and Grey: 18 Pheasant Tail: 18-20 Ray Charles Grey and Pink: 18 Wilcox's Little Green Machine PT: 16-18-20 Tailwater Tiny Black, Olive & Red: 18-20-22 Hogans Military Nymph Black & Olive: 18-20 Copper Bead Mayfly: 20 Brooks Sprout BWO: 16-18-20 Hackle Dun Baetis: 18-20-22-24 Hogans Sipper BWO: 16-18 CDC Bubbleback BWO: 16-18
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Spring Creeks
Not much changing at the creeks, it's been pretty cold over here at night and the BWO hatches have been pretty non existent at this point, mostly midges and the fish seem to be eating the midges pretty well, so maybe start thinking about taking some good midge larvae and emerger patterns along with you. The creeks are on off season rates now, and that makes these things a lot more attractive to me at least, I can shell out the $40 to go fish DePuy's - especially on a weekday when there aren't as many anglers around. Fly wise, fish seem to be keying in on midge larvae, some eggs, and small copper bead mayflies and such. That's going to be it, mostly midges and lot's of nymphing at this point. As well as of course keeping your eyes out for reds, Wes said he's been seeing more spawning activity lately, but still not just stacked on the beds yet. The sunny warm days will leave you reaching for your nymph box. However, when it clouds up make sure and pull out your midges. And don't rule out pitching a small streamer pattern or two over here... Most of the creeks have plenty of availability now, and at offseason rates it makes the creeks a tad bit more attractive to us local folks, and might I add it's better fishing now too...
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 Tailwater Tiny Olive: 18-20 Hogans Sipper BWO: 18-20 Pheasant Tail: 20 Zebra Midge: 20-22 Disco Midge: 18-20-22 Miracle Midge: 20-22 Eggs: 8-10 Bead Head San Juan: 10
Last Updated: 11/7/07
Spring Creek Phone Numbers: DePuy's - (406) 222-0221 Armstrong's - (406) 222-2979 Nelson's - (406) 222-6560 Milesnick's - (406) 388-7001
The Bighorn
Reports are that the dry fly fishing on the Bighorn has slowed down to a literal crawl now, a few midges, BWO's are done. Nymphing has been the name of the game on the Bighorn lately, just like it always is and on the same stuff that you would expect it to be good on - small midge larvae, little mayfly nymphs, scuds, sow bugs, ray charles, etc. etc. There aren't a whole lot of people over this way right now believe it or not and the fishing has been good. It's time to put away your baetis and grab your midges, and check out the slicks and eddies for the risers. Just about the same arsenal - loads of nymphs, 5x flouro, and some indicators that you like, along with the necessary split shot and be prepared to nymph your brains out! Or look for heads eating midges in the mornings - apparently that has been the ticket in the am. The other thing that has been reportedly pretty good lately has been streamer fishing on the overcast and cloudy days. So if you're sick of an indicator, which I don't know why you would be when you are catching fish right and left, then you can toss some streamers with pretty good success.
Fly pattern suggestions:
WD 40 Grey and Olive: 18-20 Candy Cane Midge: 18-20 Zebra Midge: 18-20 Scud Orange and Pink: 16-18 Ray Charles Pink, Gray, & Orange: 16-18 The Ultimate Worm: 10 Pheasant Tail: 16-18-20 Bead Head San Juan: 10 Morrish's Sculpin Brown & Black: 2-4 Big Horn Bugger: 4-6 Wilcox's Little Green Machine PT & Chartreuse: 18-20 Eggs: 10 Real Meal Olive & Brown: 18-20 Soft Tex Scuds Pink, Olive & Gray: 14-16
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Big Hole
t's Open Again Below Wisdom
Fishing has slowed down a little bit over here on the Big Hole simply due to cold temps, reaching down into the 20's. But fishing still seems to be holding on and reports have been decent, just not as good as they were 2 weeks ago. Fly wise, eggs and san juans have still been the ticket over this way, surprise surprise. Most guys have been concentrating on the Maiden Rock to Brown's section lately, and that has seen some decent streamer activity as well. The streamer fishing has been on what you would think - Yellow Yummies and JJ's and whatever other streamer patterns you like to throw with either some yellow or brown in them. Nymphing has been pretty darn good as well on San Juans, pheasant tails and lightning bugs, copper johns, etc. Good luck if you make it just be planning to dress warm if you're headed over this weekend, looks like a chilly one!
Fly pattern suggestions:
San Juan Worm Red, Brown, Tan etc: 8-10 JJ's Special: 6-8 Hotwire Mayfly Olive & Tan: 14-16-18 Biotic Nymph Olive & Black: 14-16 Copper Johnson Green, Chartreuse, Black and Red: 14-16-18-20 Gold Lightning Bug: 12-14-16-18 JJ's Special: 2-4-6-8 Yellow Yummy: 2-4-6-8
Last Updated: 11/7/07
The Jefferson
More of the same... Things are pretty much the same out on the Jefferson lately, maybe a tad bit slower than one might think. But things have been decent - some fish being caught on streamer patterns - that seems to be the best bet. I would be throwing some JJ's and some sculpin patterns and be looking for fish to hold in the usual areas - below riffles in the tailouts and pools. This is another place to pitch streamers in the fall and hunt for big brown trout - usually it's pretty hit or miss in terms of big fish, but it can be rewarding to get a big one on the Jefferson as you will mostly have the whole river to yourself. So grab your streamers, and some nypmphs and concentrate on the pools and tailouts now and look for fish to be feeding better when it's overcast. And also you might want to take some san juan worms and eggs...
Fly pattern suggestions:
JJ's Special: 2-4-6 Yellow Yummy: 2-4-6 Flash Fry Platte River, Olive, White/Olive: 2 Stinger Sculpin Olive & Natural: 2 Silvey's Sculpin Tan, Black & Gray: 2 Delektable Double Screamer Streamer Cree, Olive/Black, Brown/Yellow: 2 Deaddrift Crayfish: 4 Muddbuggler: 4 I Aint Yo Baby's Daddy Rust & Tan: 8 Super Soft PT: 16-18 Copper Bead Mayfly: 16 BH FB PT: 16-18-20 Anatomay Olive: 16-18 Stinger Sculpin Tan & Olive: 2 Eggs: 10 San Juan Worm Red & Tan: 10
Last Updated: 11/7/07
Other Waters
Most of the dry fly fishing is going to be non existent around the state at this time of year, I would be counting on mostly nymphing and streamer fishing from here on out until we get deeper into midge season.
The Beaverhead has been fishing well, good nymphing on san juans, eggs, pheasant tails, and other small mayfly nymphs. This is one of my favorite times of year on the Beaverhead because there usually aren't many folks on it, you can wade wherever you want to, and the browns are agressive and healthy. Good streamer fishing as well, browns, olives and blacks and with clouds in the forecast, could be pretty decent.
Wes went and fished the Shields again last week and it was terrible, he said he only caught one fish and things seemed really slow. Could have been bright and sunny conditions, could have been who knows. But with that report wouldn't be running right over there.
Hyalite is still holding on and continues to fish decent and not many people typically are up there at this time of year. At this time of year small little buggers - halloween leeches, etc are pretty good on the reservoir. The creek is fishing good as well, fish are really eating nymphs and buggers, dry fly fishing is mostly done. Creeks close on Nov 30th.