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The River's Edge

Yellowstone:

3-25 The fishing is great on the Yellowstone right now. Expect to find fish eating b.w.o's on overcast days and midges in the foam pockets. The fish are still concentrated due to the low water. The streamer fishing has been good and should improve over the next few weeks. The nymphing has been good with stonefly and mayfly imitations.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Streamers:
Olive & White & Natural Zonker, Olive Wooly Bugger, Conehead Superflash Black, Heavy Metal Sculpin.

Dries:
Hi-Vis Midge, Griffith's Gnat, CDC Midge.

Nymphs:
Rubberlegs Brown/Coffee, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, CDC Bubbleback Olive, Lightning Bug Black, Dave's Emerger, Zebra Midge

Yellowstone River Flows
Corwin Springs:
Average Flow: 865 cfs
Current Flow: 565 cfs
More on the Web
Livingston:
Average Flow: 1230cfs
Current Flow: 851 cfs
More on the Web

Yellowstone Water Contacts
Yellowstone River Live Cam: http://www.coolworks.com/webcams/

Bighorn:

3-25 For numbers of fish the big horn is at the top of the list in Montana. The fishing is consistently good year round. The spring is a great time to fish the river before it gets too crowded. Expect to find fish feeding on midge and mayfly nymphs in every riffle. The dry fly fishing is spotty but will improve with the weather. We have had some reports of good streamer fishing on warmer days.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Shrimp Cocktail, Ray Charles Gray and Pink, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Hunchback Scud

Dries:
Para Adams, Griffiths gnat, Spider midge ,Snowshoe midge cluster.
Streamers:
JJ Special, Bighorn Bugger, Heavy Metal Sculpin, Tequeely

Big Horn River Flows
Big Horn River nr St. Xavier MT:
Average Flow: 2390 cfs
Current Flow: 1890 cfs

Missouri:

3-25 The fishing has been very weather dependent lately. On warmer days the midge hatches are pretty strong and fish are targeting them. The streamer fishing continues to get better as the weather warms up. The nymphing is good with smaller mayfly patterns and San Juan worms. Don't forget to try a crayfish pattern.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Tailwater Tiny Olive, Lightning Bug, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, CDC Bubbleback Olive, McKee Mahatma, Shrimp Cocktail

Dries:
Hi-Vis Midge, Para Adams, Griffith's Gnat

Streamers:
CH Superflash Tan, Clouser Crayfish Olive, JR's CH Streamer Golden Shiner, and White Bow River Buggers

The Missouri River River Flows
Missouri River bl Holter Dam nr Wolf Cr MT:
Average Flow: 4930 cfs
Current Flow: 3370 cfs

Lower Madison:

TRE:Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
10/20 Streamer fishing has had its fair share of good days lately.Although as usual the best producer has been nymphing.On cloudy days there has been some baetis hatching and some fish are keying in on them.Some browns are starting to spawn. Lots of fish have been taking egg and worm patterns.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Tailwater Tiny, Black or Red Copper John, Red Headed Stepchild, SJ Worm, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Otter's Soft Milking Egg

Streamers:
Clouser crayfish, big horn bugger, JJ special, brown bugger, Crazy Dad Crawfish.

Dries: Para Variant, Para Adams, BWO Parawulff

Lower Madison River Flows
Below Ennis Lake:
Average Flow: 1870 cfs
Current Flow: 1280 cfs
More on the Web

Lower Madison Water Contacts
River-Gal Shuttle Service
Bonnie 406-685-3500

MT: Fishing Report
The Lower Madison has been fishing pretty consistent for us. We have been going either Warm Springs to Blacks Ford or Cherry Creek to Greycliff and having success on both floats. I talked with a few guys that headed from Greycliff to Three Forks and they said one day was pretty good, nothing huge but pretty consistent, and then the next day was absolutely terrible, so go figure that stretch is always hit or miss. The winds have been brutal to say the least - some days better than others, when you get a day that's overcast with little to no wind the BWO's have been hatching pretty good and the fish have been looking up around the weedbeds. The bright sunny days aren't the best all the time, but even on those days some small baetis nymphs and crayfish patterns have fished decently. Streamer fishing can be decent on the cloudy days as well - not really seeing any redds yet to speak of, but last year it was into late November and December that we saw fish spawning, so not to worry. Beartrap is still fishing well, still a little more consistent right up below the dam, but a few guys doing well with crayfish on the lower end as well as on streamers (JJ's). Crayfish, streamers, some small baetis nymphs, a few good dry fly patterns and that should take care of your fly selection - by the way the Clouser in tan and brown is still the ticket right now.

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
Last Updated: 10/19/07

Upper Madison:

MT:Fishing Report:
My dad and a friend went and fished from Varney to 8 Mile on Wednesday and it was really pretty marginal, they didn't get much action at all on streamers, and they fished them pretty hard most all of the day. It was absolutely the ideal conditions too, drizzly, overcast, so who knows what was wrong with the equation. There were some fish up and eating some BWO's but nothing really big, just some decent rainbows in the sidechannels. So with that being said, who knows what to say about the Upper Madison, I have heard reports that the stuff up around 3 Dollar and Slide has been fishing pretty decently - it's awfully low so you should be able to get around wherever you want to pretty easily. And the flows are still low - hanging around the 670-680CFS range (be careful in any hard bottom boat right now on the Upper it's bony....) Reports of between the lakes have been a little spotty, some guys doing really well, others struggling a bit - red copper johns...

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
Last Updated: 10/19/07

TRE: Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
10-20 Fall fishing has been hot on the upper reaches of the river,with lots of browns moving out of hebgen lake into the park section.Expect to see as many anglers as fish.Between the lakes has been pretty steady with eggs and baetis nymphs,with some fish are eating streamers. With the water so low wade fishing is a great option.There has been some great baetis hatches on cloudy days, lots of fish are chasing streamers

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Brown/yellow rubberlegs, Black/Orange Crystal Rubberleg, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Lightning Bug Black, Pearl Spitfire

Streamers:
Olive and White Zonker, Kiwi Mudler,
Black Bugger, Silveys sculpin leech.

Dries:
Para Adams, CDC Lowrider Olive, H & L Variant, Ride-Right BWO.

Upper Madison River Flows
Kirby Ranch:
Average Flow: 1180 cfs
Current Flow: 673 cfs

Gallatin:

TRE: Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
10/20 The dry fly fishing has been as good as it gets in the valley with small baetis atractors,cloudy days have been the best.We are getting a lot of good reports from streamer fisherman catching some good size fish on the lower river.Although nymphing is still the most consistant producer day in and day out.The canyon has also had a lot of good dry fly fishing.The fish in the canyon tend to eat small black streamers very well.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Explosion Stone Purple, Double Bead Stone Hares Ear, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Black Copper John, and Master Baetis.

Streamers:
Kiwi Muddler,JJ Special, Girdle Bug,Woolhead Sculpin.

Dries:
Royal Wulff, H & L Variant, Para Adams, Para Wulff BWO.

Gallatin River Flows
Gallatin Gateway:
Average Flow: 438 cfs
Current Flow: 388 cfs

MT: Fishing Report:
Things on the Gallatin have been pretty consistent over the last couple of weeks, we have had a little bit of clarity issues at some points, but overall it's fished well. Fish are moving around and getting ready to start doing their thing here soon. Haven't really seen any fish on beds to speak of, a few redds here and there but not full on yet. It's been mostly nymphing on the bright sunny warm days, here lately as it's been cooler and cloudy with some rain it's been pretty decent BWO fishing and it never hurts to pitch streamers if you like to, it's a good time of year. Things have been fishing pretty darn well when the cloud cover is around and the wind isn't too bad. There have been some reports of some pretty decent streamer fishing - fish are definitely starting to move around and come up out of the Missouri on the lower stretches. Still a little early for fish to be staging, but the browns are definitely getting darker and that means you could start targeting some fish on big ugly streamers. Heard of a few guys heading down to the lower Gallatin and reports have been mixed, some good, some bad, that's mostly pretty consistent with what I've experienced down that low - some big fish but few and far between mostly.

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: 10/19/07

Yellowstone River:

MT: Fishing Report:
The park has been gettting rain pretty consistently since Thursday night. As of Friday morning things are still in good shape, who knows how long that will hold. With this cool drizzly weather we have been seeing good BWO hatches and the streamer fishing has been pretty decent. Running a yuk bug beadhead combo has been pretty decent as well, smaller olive hares ears, and pheasant tails have been pretty effective for your dropper nymph. The whitefish seem to be out in full force and doing their best impression of trout in the back eddies and foam lines, but if you can wade through the whities there have been some good fish up and eating baetis as well. Float wise, stuff down below town has been good, haven't heard of any real huge fish just lately, but that should change here pretty quick. The brown trout are definitely coloring up and have heard a few reports of a few fish on beds, but still think it might be a touch early for the browns to be dropping any eggs, next week or so here should be good time to start looking for rainbows below the brown trout beds...

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
Last Updated: 10/19/07

TRE: Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
10/20 This is the time to go out and strip streamers for that big fish to end the season with.Although not the most consistant method streamer fishing can be an exciting way to fish.If your not one of those one cast from glory fisherman,then I would stick with nymphing.Nymphing has been good with baetis and stonefly nymphs also try an egg patern.Look at the foam pockets for rising fish.HAVE FUN!!!

Recommended Fly Patterns
Streamers:
Olive & White & Natural Zonker, Olive Wooly Bugger, Conehead Superflash Black, Heavy Metal Sculpin.

Dries:
Para Wulff BWO, Royal Wulff, Para Variant, CDC Baetis Emerger.

Nymphs:
Rubberlegs Brown/Coffee, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, CDC Bubbleback Olive, Lightning Bug Black

Yellowstone River Flows
Corwin Springs:
Average Flow: 1500 cfs
Current Flow: 1220 cfs
More on the Web
Livingston:
Average Flow: 2010 cfs
Current Flow: 1660 cfs

Troutfitters 10/10 reports:

The Gallatin got a little dirty over the weekend with the rain and snow according to reports, but I wasn't able to make it out (stomach bug) and since then it has cleared up again and is plenty fishable. Fish are moving around and getting ready to start doing there thing here soon. Seeing a few fish on beds, but not too many. It's been mostly nymphing on these bright sunny warm days, although never hurts to pitch streamers if you like to, it's a good time of year. Things have been fishing pretty darn well when the cloud cover is around and the wind isn't too bad. Talked with quite a few guys fishing the Gallatin lately and reports have been pretty good, lots of BWO's right now with the overcast and rain. Fish are still munching nymphs pretty well - smaller olive stuff and smaller pheasant tails - lot's of mayfly nymphs in the water so go figure. Been some reports of some pretty decent streamer fishing - fish are definitely starting to move around and come up out of the Missouri on the lower stretches. Still a little early for fish to be staging, but the browns are definitely getting darker and that means you could start targeting some fish on big ugly streamers. Might be worth some lower Gallatin poking around.

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: 10/10/07

Upper Madison: So obviously I couldn't make it out fishing this weekend so instead we called up and talked to Dan and Nancy to see what's been going on on the Upper Madison, and the word is ... not a ton of fish right now, but some good ones for sure. That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned, at this point in the year I have had enough 12 inch rainbows and browns and whitefish to fill my appetite for having caught fish; now it's time for the big boys... This is the place to go for that. So heard from some buddies at FWP that the shocking survey was about what you would expect - a ton of 20-26" browns in the Varney to 8 Mile stretch. Not surprising but definitely reinforces what I've always believed - best section of brown trout streamer water around... Not much talk of dry fly fishing, although I'm sure there's a few BWO's around. Streamers, streamers and more streamers, that's the word. Some bigger stoneflies in like a size 6 have been decent as well, and some smaller mayfly nymphs have also been pulling in some fish. Between the lakes has been good and some of the bigger browns have been moving around according to reports - red copper johns...

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
Last Updated: 10/10/07

Lower Madison: Kiel and a few buddies fished the Lower on Saturday, had the river to themselves, and had a great day from Cherry to Greycliff. They weren't really looking for heads, although Kiel said the BWO's were coming off in droves, but the nymph fishing was fantastic and had some fish chasing streamers as well. Right along the edges of the weedbeds is where most of the risers have been seen lately, and it has been from Warm Springs to Cherry where more of the rising fish have been seen. That's a good place typically to look for risers - they feel comfortable enough to come up and sip on the surface without exposing themselves too much. Wade fished with buddies around Greycliff last week and it was fair, a few fish munching some streamers and nymphs. Beartrap has been good lately, heard that it has been a little more consistent right up below the dam, but a few guys doing well with crayfish on the lower end as well as on streamers (JJ's). Crayfish, streamers, some small baetis nymphs, a few good dry fly patterns and that should take care of your fly selection - by the way the Clouser in tan and brown is the ticket right now.

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
Last Updated: 10/10/07

Yellowstone: Sorry we didn't get a weekend update in there for you on the clarity, I've had a stomach bug... Anyhow, spoke with Toot's today and apparently things were dirty over the weekend, semi fishable, but dirty in parts. Everything is fine now! So the river is back in shape and I'm sure that the fishing hasn't skipped a beat. I had been floating and fishing the Yellowstone a fair amount lately and the previous week it was pretty darn good on Wednesday. When the cloud cover is out, the BWO's are thick and the fish are absolutely podded in the foam lines and back eddies. A little bit of mixed success depending upon the weather, but as long as you can bundle up and handle a bit of wind, the fishing is as good as it gets right now. There are definitely plenty of fish eating right now, seemed every pool or tailout had a few fish in it, nearly everyone we talked to has had good days over on the Yellowstone lately. Cloudy days the fish are definitely chasing streamers, browns are getting their nice dark colors and getting aggressive. Ran the baitfish/beadhead combo on Wednesday and did pretty well. All reports have been if the cloud cover rolls in, the fishing has been pretty good. Copper and white zonkers, Eyez Wide Open, and whatever you want to toss off the back - pheasant tail, copper wire mayfly etc.

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
Last Updated: 10/10/07

Jefferson: Shane if you have had any big ones, let me know buddy! Last report I had was from a few weekends ago when I had some friends that fished up high the streamer fishing was decent - not great, not poor, but decent. They caught fish on JJ's and some sculpin patterns and that fish were holding in the predictable areas - below riffles in the tailouts and pools. Everyone is psyched that the Jeff and Big Hole are open again - now we have a few more places to pitch streamers and apparently the streamer fishing on the Jeff has been pretty darn good in stretches, and sort of dead in others - about what you typically find with this river. So grab your streamers, and some nypmphs and concentrate on the riffles and look for fish to be feeding better when it's overcast. It is after all fall and it is after all time to start throwing big nasties, so why wait? Chances are the better fishing is going to be in the sections where the water has a bit more current. So probably head on up towards the lower Big Hole and Beaverhead. The stinger sculpin has been good over here :)

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
Last Updated: 10/10/07

Big Hole: Reports from the Big Hole are that nymphing is still on fire, it's still San Juans, pheasant tails and lightning bugs, copper johns, etc. And with the cloudy weather streamer fishing has been decent as well. Water flows are coming up some still, it's over 400 and it's floatable around Melrose - don't bring your new driftboat though.. The fish are still pretty concentrated from what we have heard. This really could be a good option here in the next little bit, probably not too crowded, fish are concentrated, and it's open! Everyone that we have talked to that has fished the Big Hole since it opened has said the fishing has been good. I don't think at these water levels you want to be pitching 8 inch streamers, the fish definitely aren't on the banks, so look for riffles, tailouts and pools to hold most of the fish right now.

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: 10/10/07

Slide Inn:

UPPER MADISON DAILY RIVER REPORT
October 6th, 2007
671 CFS

The Madison continues to run at a lower-than-average 671 cfs, but that should change in a few days-- We have received close to a foot of snow in the last 24 hours, and the forcast calls for temperatures in the mid-50's through next week. That being said, the river should receive a good amount of run-off, thus giving both fish and anglers a little more room to move around. And now for the bugs- Today there was an epic blue-winged olive emergence (at least around the Raynolds area), and anglers reported doing quite well on olive parachutes and sparkle duns. Nymphing red and black midges (#18-22), #14-16 caddis larva, girdle bugs, and especially #18-20 Baetis patterns have definately been the most effective way of catching fish under the surface. And yes... it is october, so the big browns are all colored up and looking for something big and ugly. Black and olive sex dungeons, black and olive circus peanuts, and olive butt monkeys have been bringing up the big boys this week, and it should only get better.

Troutfitters:

Yellowstone: Been floating and fishing the Yellowstone a fair amount lately and this past week it was pretty darn good on Wednesday. When the cloud cover is out, the BWO's are thick and the fish are absolutely podded in the foam lines and back eddies. A little bit of mixed success depending upon the weather, but as long as you can bundle up and handle a bit of wind, the fishing is as good as it gets right now. There are definitely plenty of fish eating right now, seemed every pool or tailout had a few fish in it, nearly everyone we talked to has had good days over on the Yellowstone lately. Cloudy days the fish are definitely chasing streamers, browns are getting their nice dark colors and getting aggressive. Ran the baitfish/beadhead combo on Wednesday and did pretty well. All reports have been if the cloud cover rolls in, the fishing has been pretty good. Copper and white zonkers, Eyez Wide Open, and whatever you want to toss off the back - pheasant tail, copper wire mayfly etc. Should be a pretty decent weekend, Saturday looks cold but Sunday and Monday don't look nearly as nasty. I'd bundle up maybe for Saturday if you are going...

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
Last Updated: 10/5/07

Lower Madison: Talked with a few guys that have been head hunting out here for risers, and apparently it has been pretty decent with the cloudy drizzly weather, where you ask? Right along the edges of the weedbeds of course! That's a good place typically to look for risers - they feel comfortable enough to come up and sip on the surface without exposing themselves too much. The baetis have been coming off when the wind is whipping them all the way down to Three Forks... If it's not too windy this weekend it's going to be on fire with baetis. Wade fished with buddies around Greycliff Tuesday and it was fair, a few fish munching some streamers and nymphs. The Lower Madison fished pretty decently up in Beartrap, definitely a few people up there, but fishing well nonetheless. It's crayfish, streamers, and baetis nypmhs and some BWO dries and that should cover you up there. The main river has been good too, same sort of thing, crayfish & streamers and some decent hatch activity. This has been pretty busy since they lifted the restrictions, and the fishing has been pretty good. Time to retire the terrestrials and grab your streamer and baetis boxes and head on out to the Lower.

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
Last Updated: 10/5/07

Big Hole:It's Open Again Below Wisdom
There is a slight bit more water in the river now finally, things have bumped back up to around 400CFS, so there should be a bit more water in the river, which isn't a bad thing. The fish are still pretty concentrated from what we have heard. This really could be a good option here in the next little bit, probably not too crowded, fish are concentrated, and it's open! Everyone that we have talked to that has fished the Big Hole since it opened has said the fishing has been good. What should you be using nymph wise then? San Juan Worms, and whatever small beadheaded patterns that you like - personally I would try some smaller Copper Johns along with maybe a sparsely dressed streamer of some sort - I don't think at these water levels you want to be pitching 8 inch streamers, the fish definitely aren't on the banks, so look for riffles, tailouts and pools to hold most of the fish right now.

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: 10/5/07

The River's Edge:

Gallatin River:

10/06/07 The Gallatin is fishing well right now, and with some cooler overcast days it will only get better. As we move into fall the BWOs should be hatching on those cool and cloudy days. In the canyon if the fish are not rising try a stonefly nymph trailed with a small beadhead. The valley downstream from the canyon should really start to fish good as well as brown trout start to become more active before they spawn. Streamers become more of an option if you are looking for the big one. As always nymphing will be the most productive method, but bring along your favorite small drys as well.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Explosion Stone Purple, Double Bead Stone Hares Ear, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Black Copper John, and Master Baetis.

Streamers:
Kiwi Muddler,JJ Special, Girdle Bug,Woolhead Sculpin.

Dries:
Royal Wulff, H & L Variant, Para Adams, Para Wulff BWO.

River Flows @ Gallatin Gateway:
Average Flow: 462 cfs
Current Flow: 371 cfs

Spring Creeks:
10/06/07 The spring creeks are continuing to fish well as we move into fall. BWOs should provide the bulk of the surface activity, hope for cloudy days! Nymphing will remain a good option with two small beads if there is nothing hatching. Most of the creeks have gone to a fall rate of $75.00

Recommended Fly Patterns
Dries:
Para Adams, CDC Lowrider Olive, CDC Baetis Emerger

Nymphs:
Pickpocket Claret, Silver Streak, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Black Copper John #18, Tailwater Tiny Olive

Spring Creeks Water Contacts
DePuy's 406.222.0221
Armstrong's 406.222.2979
Milesnick's 406.388.7001
Nelson's 406.222.2159

Missouri:
10/06/07 There have been some great reports trickling in from the Missouri lately. It sounds like most of the action has been nymphing with two small beads fished in the riffles. When there has been some clouds the fish are looking up and eating BWOs. The moss that was so prevalent this summer has lessened considerably making fishing much easier. Streamer fishing should be picking up in the next couple of weeks as the browns prepare to spawn, try fishing from Craig downstream to get the best streamer action.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Nymphs:
Tailwater Tiny Olive, Lightning Bug, Bubbleback Pheasant Tail, CDC Bubbleback Olive

Dries:
CDC ParaWulff Royal, Ride-Right BWO, H&L Variant, Para Adams, CDC Baetis Emerger

Streamers:
CH Superflash Tan, Clouser Crayfish Olive, JR's CH Streamer Golden Shiner, and White Bow River Buggers

River Flows below Holter Dam nearr Wolf Cr MT:
Average Flow: 4150 cfs
Current Flow: 3300 cfs

Trouthunter:

Henry's Fork:September 22, 2007
by Rick Smith

Box Canyon: Flows through the "Box" are at 456 cfs. This is a couple of hundred cfs below average for this time of year. Fishing has been good over the past week or so but it seems to change every other day. For a day or two the fish are on streamers big time then for no apparent reason they switch to nymphs. So, if your heading for the "Box", make sure you have a good supply of both streamers and rubberleg and beadhead nymphs.

Last Chance/Railroad Ranch: The lower flows, coupled with shorter days, cooler nights and the arrival of Baetis and Mahogany duns have greatly improved the fishing on this section of the Henry's Fork. Best fishing is between 11 am and 5 pm from the Log Jam all the way down to the Riverside Campground.

Riverside to Ashton: Fishing in this portion of the river continues to be very good to excellent. The Fall colors from lower Mesa Falls all the way down to the Ashton take out make this a must stop on any fisherman's agenda. Streamers will produce the largest fish but small nymphs and attractor dry flies will produce more action.

Ashton to Saint Anthony: Although fishing in this section of the river has not yet been real consistent it has had a few good days and it is showing signs of picking up. Streamers and small beadhead nymphs have produced best but the Baetis have started to hatch and we look forward to some nice dry fly fishing in the coming weeks.

Montana Troutfitters

Yellowstone River:

The Yellowstone has reportedly been a tad bit off color from some accounts, I fished it on Saturday, and drove over it again on the way home around Livingston and it was in fine shape - it has a bit of color to it, sort of green, but is plenty fishable. Fishing wise right now, things have been good pretty much all day long, from the early mornings, through the afternoons and right on into the evenings. Streamers and nymphs are working well in the mornings, hatch activity is pretty much non existent except for a few of the midnight goldenstones here and there, and a few tricos way down low. As the afternoon progresses, hopper activity has steadily progressed through the day, fish are looking up at Chubby's and Grand Hoppers as well as the old standbys like a Dave's or Whit's. Evenings are decent if there is any hatch activity left over, maybe a few caddis here and there but not much, it's time for streamers and nymphs again for the evening stretches typically.

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
Last Updated: 8/26/07

Lower Madison:

Still on closures, seeing a lot more people on the water, haven't made any trips out here myself though - heard that fishing has been really marginal and we certainly aren't running trips on it yet. Flows are extremely low still, just because the water is cool, doesn't make it good fishing conditions - bright and sunny and low, not ideal. That is why the restrictions remain in effect still. Fishing wise, I have no clue - see the countless reports in which I explain that I don't fish this again until September at the earliest in drought years. Still wouldn't be my first choice of rivers in the area to fish, but really early in the morning you might be able to go out and snag a few fish in between moss mats... Wait and see, when they lift closures I might give this a thought - still won't send my trips out on this... The river is still low, and the fish aren't going to be very healthy yet at this point.

CLOSED FROM 2PM TO MIDNIGHT

Fly pattern suggestions:
Take a metal detector and a huge musky net and play Find the Empty Beer Can Stash! First one to 100lbs of cans wins, BLM pays the prize winnings, call them for details.
Last Updated: 8/26/07

Gallatin:

It's Sunday and as I update this, the river remains in good fishable condition, fished earlier in the week at Shed's and it was decent, a few fish up right before dark on caddis, but for the most part it was nymphing. Fishing activity wise, it's hoppers down in the valley below Axtell in the afternoons, attractors up in the canyon in the afternoons, plenty of fish on buggers and stoneflies, dropper rigs have been the most effective lately all day long. Hatch wise, caddis only, a few tricos actually here or there, but nothing I would bother concentrating on too heavily. Plan on having a lot of nymphs along with you in the morning till it warms up a bit, then blast some hoppers around. Fished at Williams last Saturday morning, was fun, fishing was decent, caught fish on sculpins, nymphs, and my dad was all over the fish in the nooks with a hopper. Spruce moths are done, don't bother with those anymore at this point, concentrate on nymphing with caddis larvae, it's whats in the river at this point!

Fly pattern suggestions:
BHFBPT: 12-14-16 Little Bit Of E: 12-14 San Juan Worm Red & Brown: 10 Mega Prince: 6-8 Mega Pheasant Tail: 6-8 Mr Rubberlegs Hares Ear: 6-8-10Tungsten Golden Lab: 6-8 Yummy Gummy Golden: 8-10 Mangy Caddis Olive & Brown: 14-16 Mangy Pooper: 12-14 Yellow Rubberleg Stimulator: 8-10-12 Birkenstock Special Olive & PT: 12-14-16 PMX Peacock, Royal and Lime: 10-12-14-16 Elk Hair Caddis Tan & Olive: 12-14-16 CDC Elk Caddis: 14-16 X Caddis Olive: 14-16 Ripcord Caddis Tan: 14
Last Updated: 8/26/07

Yellowstone NP:

Sounds as if restrictions have been evaluated and contrary to rumors, they acted and lifted the closures as of the 22nd. Surprised? I sure am, and it's a really nice surprise, so now it's time for afternoons and weekends into the park to fish the NE corner. So with the nice cooler evenings water temps are easing back to fishable levels and fish are active, there was some substantial rains in the park on Friday, and things are just starting to clear up. Come late August and September this is one of the best places around to go and pitch ants and beetles as well as hoppers and attractors. Don't wait any longer to see on how things shape up, just plan on there being some decent terrestrial fishing on all of the typical stuff. The Gallatin in the park has been fishing well again, a sometimes forgotten place the Gallatin inside the park (off the beaten path up higher) fishes pretty well and the terrestrial fishing in August can be a really good time, to get away from people, hike away from the road a ways, it works wonders...

Park Licenses Available for Sale
Park License Pricing for '07: 3 Day License - $15 7 Day License - $20 Annual License - $35
Last Updated: 8/26/07

From The River's:

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

Troutfitters:

Yellowstone river:

The good news came through this week, it's hopper time on the Stone now baby!!! Restrictions have been lifted on the entire stretch from Gardiner to 89 and my father fished it the first day it was open yesterday and said that it was good in the afternoon on hoppers straight through till they took off. So now you can start to rethink your floats on the Yellowstone, no need to be on the water at 5am now, in fact I would bet that the action in the afternoons and evenings is pretty good since those fish haven't seen a darn fly past 2 in nearly a month. It's mostly the stuff you would think of that's working - hopper/dropper combos, ants have been fishing well, I will be religously throwing hopper patterns in the afternoons now, because I'm thoroughly convinced that it will be good terrestrial fishing for the next month or so. Streamer fishing in the mornings can be decent too, water temps have dropped quite substantially over the past few weeks, but we really would advise against floating down low - it's still quite hot between 89 and Big Timber - do the fish a favor and float where the restrictions have been lifted.

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: 8/15/07

Gallatin:

The Gallatin has been clear now for a while and things have been fishing well. Consistent is the name of the game, caddis in the evenings and that's pretty much it for hatch activity right now. There aren't really many tricos or PMD's to speak of on this river and the spruce moths are pretty much done for now. Been fishing this south of Williams Bridge up in the canyon and in the flat meadow stretch up above Big Sky towards the Park. Throughout the canyon it's been an attractor dry fly affair - stimulators and PMX's with nymph droppers. Outside of the canyon down lower it's mostly caddis and up high towards the Park it's terrestrials and attractor dry flies. For whatever reason I have never done well on grasshoppers in the canyon, but once it gets meadowy up higher hoppers and ants work pretty well. Whitefish tournaments are always fun too, get a few buddies together, get some of the flashiest, gaudiest nymphs and fish the slower water to nymph up whities, the winner has to buy dinner.

Fly pattern suggestions:
BHFBPT: 12-14-16 Little Bit Of E: 12-14 San Juan Worm Red & Brown: 10 Mega Prince: 6-8 Mega Pheasant Tail: 6-8 Mr Rubberlegs Hares Ear: 6-8-10Tungsten Golden Lab: 6-8 Yummy Gummy Golden: 8-10 Mangy Caddis Olive & Brown: 14-16 Mangy Pooper: 12-14 Yellow Rubberleg Stimulator: 8-10-12 Birkenstock Special Olive & PT: 12-14-16 PMX Peacock, Royal and Lime: 10-12-14-16 Elk Hair Caddis Tan & Olive: 12-14-16 CDC Elk Caddis: 14-16 X Caddis Olive: 14-16 Ripcord Caddis Tan: 14
Last Updated: 8/15/07

Upper Madison:

The flows have continued to drop, it's around 914CFS now, down low around town there isn't much water for the fish to be in, so the deep runs and holes are stacked with big fish, has some good fishing on Wednesday and Friday last week, and trips out this week did well but were heading up a bit higher with the dropping flows. Cameron flats is a bit#* again, don't take a drift boat through it if you can help it. But fishing continues to plug right along. The Bow River dropper nymph combo was really effective again, the Little Bit of E was absolutely killer on Friday. Hopper action in the afternoons has been good as well, the chubby hopper has been deadly on top - too many guides think that the golden version is the only one that works, we know the secret, the hopper version gets em... The upper stretches around 3 Dollar are fishing decent, and now that should all be easily wadeable, the whole river is pretty wadeable at just over 900CFS and dropping. On that note stuff's pretty shallow down past 8 mile right now, might not want to be taking a hard bottom boat that you care about down there.

Fly pattern suggestions:
Ugly Bug Brown, Yellow & Black: 6-8-10 BH FB PT: 14-16-18 Brokeback Goldenstone: 6-8-10 Firey Juan: 10 Electric Caddis Olive: 14-16 Gummy Stone Golden: 6 Copper John Black & Red: 16-18-20 Silvey's Sculpin Tan & Olive: 2 Eyez Wide Open Tan & Olive: 2 Bow River Bugger Olive & Black: 2 PMX Red, Yellow, Black & Lime: 10-12-14 Twisted Sister & Babies (Purple & Chart): 10-12-14-16 Mustang Sally: 16-18 Brokeback Sally: 14-16 Grand Hopper: 6-8-10 Chubby Hopper: 6-8-10 Foam Flying Ant Cinnamon & Black: 16-18 Hi Vis Beetle: 14-16 Hairy Sculpin Brown & Light Olive: 2-4
Last Updated: 8/15/07

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: 8/15/07

Yellowstone NP:

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.

Things are getting quite a bit cooler in the park with cold nights. The fishing has been picking up accordingly. Park officials told me yesterday on the phone that they were meeting to evaluate the closure situation, keep your fingers crossed that they lift a few, Soda Butte, Slough and Lamar are in good shape. So with the nice cooler evenings water temps are easing back to fishable levels and fish are active, things should be good for the weekend barring any rains in the park. Come late August and September 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 been 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: 8/15/07

Missouri:

Reports are again that things continue to be pretty tough up on the Missouri right now. The word continues to be, tough and a bit weedy. The one nice report coming through is that there is some decent hopper and terrestrial action on the Missouri in the afternoons if you can stand the smoke. Along with the tougher fishing you have some tough fishing conditions, smoke, wind and warm afternoons. Fishing is definitely better in the mornings when the tricos are going, that's going to be the best bet on top, but really they haven't been spectacular according to what we've been hearing. If the wind dies down a bit and some cloud cover hangs around, the fishing can be decent. The other thing you have to contend with is some moss, it's getting bad. Plan on mostly nymphing this right now, it's been pretty tough up on top, but decent below the surface, now isn't the time to be learning this river - go with someone that knows what they are doing, or be prepared to smell like skunk...

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 Bloom's Para Caddis Tan: 14-16 PMD's (Cripples, Emergers, Duns): 18-20 Tailwater Tiny Brown: 18-20-22 Hogans Military Nymph Brown: 18-20 The Brokeback Flymph PMD: 18-20 Bloom's Sedge Hammer Ginger and Brown/Olive: 16-18 Lawson's Spent Partridge Tan & Peacock: 16-18 CDC Trico Spinner: 18-20-22 Trico Emerger: 20-22-24
Last Updated: 8/15/07

Big Hole:

Fishing has dropped off some in the last few weeks according to some reports, and has stayed steady according to others. The spruce moths have tapered off, only a few left around and not worth concentrating on. Tricos in the mornings, but not as many and fishing getting tougher. Flows are coming down more, getting too low to be floating in a drift boat anymore, hanging around the 140 level, but evenings have been downright cold. Fly wise right now, it's going to be mostly nymphing and hoppers if you go, but from the sounds of the reports, it may not exactly be the best place in the area to be on right now, I would probably head to the Ruby or Beaverhead instead.

Fly pattern suggestions:
CH JJ's: 2-4-6 Silvey's Sculpin Tan, Black & Olive: 2 Delektable CDC Baby: 14-16-18 Lightning Bug: 14-16 Pheasant Tail: 14-16 Chubby Golden: 6-8-10 Mustang Sally: 16-18 Rusty Spinner: 14-16 PMX Peacock, Yellow, Red: 14-16-18 Headlight Sally: 14-16 Yellow Stimulator: 12-14-16 CDC Elk Hair Caddis: 12-14-16 PMD's (assorted duns, and spinners): 16-18-20 Trico Spinner CDC: 18-20 Para Trico: 16-18-20 CDC Trico Emerger: 18-20 Sunken Trico: 20-22
Last Updated: 8/15/07

From The River's Edge:

Current Conditions & Fishing Strategy
8/14 The Yellowstone has finally opened upstream of highway 89, but remains closed after 2pm below 89. With this in mind start thinking about fishing these upper stretches 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 isn't 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: 3040cfs
Current Flow: 1540cfs

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

From The River's Edge:

8/5 The Yellowstone is clear and fishing well, set the alarm and get out there early to take advantage of the best fishing. Nymphing with a bugger or girdle bug trailed with a bead had been the most productive, try some of the faster riffles as it seems a lot of fish are in these. Hopper fishing has been the main action on the surface, as the hatches have died down. Fish the hopper tight to the bank, and maybe throw a beadhead dropper a couple of feet below it to increase your odds. Due to the warm water temperatures and river closure at 2, it is best to fish a heavy leader so you can bring the fish in and release them as quickly as possible. GIVE US A CALL OR STOP BY FOR A MORE UP TO DATE REPORT!

8/5 Spruce Moths! We can't keep this pattern in stock here at the shop. Dry fly fishing has been outstanding in the canyon with spruce moths. If you don't have one try a large tan Elk Hair Caddis or any light color attractor dry fly. If the fish don't want to rise and take your dry fly hang a nymph about two feet below your dry. Don't forget about the YNP section of the Gallatin this time of the year, try a small hopper trailed with a beetle or ant in some of those slower s-turn banks. 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!

From Montana Troutfitters on 8/2:

Upper Madison

The flows have come back up again, filling up Ennis for pulse flows. We had been running nearly all of our trips on the Madison, but with spiked flows we headed over to the Yellowstone some as well. Reports from up this way have varied, if you find the sweet spot and fly combo things have been really good. But if you are used to running hopper dropper and never try anything different it can be tough. When the water is coming up, fish tend to be in limbo, not really hanging in one place, thus trying all over the river with big searcher patterns seems to work well for me. In the case you find yourself stumped, I like to pitch a streamer or sculpin below an indicator with a nymph off the back. At these water levels that's a pretty good way to comb the river. Upper stretches around 3 Dollar are ripping at this level, best to find the pockets and fish something heavy, I guess you could look for fish heads, but you'll have to have good eyesight and patience at nearly 2000CFS. I would guess flows will drop back off here again in a bit, when that happens, look for dynamite fishing - almost always good on this river when flows start dropping.

The Stone

The clarity on the Yellowstone now is back to normal, and barring any more big rainshowers in the park should stay that way for a while. Reports were pretty good just as the river was clearing, and with the last push of really hot heat the other day, things dropped off a little bit, look for it to recover as long as the evenings stay cool as the days shorten. Fish have been looking up and eating some grasshoppers, so it's definitely time to start pitching your hopper dropper combo. For the dropper, this year I highly suggest if you haven't ever tried it pitching an ant off the back. My father is a big believer in the epoxy ant, and I personally have seen it work. Hopefully we will continue to see a cooling trend in the weather and that will be good for everyone. Still it's a morning game, closures are from 2pm to midnight river wide. If you are just nuts enough it's fun to do a night float on the Yellowstone, done a couple myself and there's nothing quite like getting your line tugged out by a big brown trout at 3am in the pitch blackness...

The River's Edge:

8/1 The river has cleared up quite a bit in the last day or two. It is still off-color with a green tint, but clear enough to fish. Fishing was good yesterday with streamers, buggers and other large nymphs. The river should be back to normal in a couple of days. GIVE US A CALL OR STOP BY FOR A MORE UP TO DATE REPORT!

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!

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