GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT – 4/21

The Gallatin River stream flow today is 1,000 c.f.s. at Gallatin Gateway with poor visibility and is likely to go higher on Friday. The river should stabilize this weekend and into next week.

Flows will continue to be up and down over the coming week based upon day-to-day weather conditions. The river has been fishing very well on the drop, but has proven challenging when water levels are rising. Fish can certainly be coaxed from high, muddy waters, but knowing the river well is the key to success. As water clarity deteriorates anglers increasingly rely upon memory to locate deep holding water. Anglers will do best by focusing on water they’re familiar with, and by sticking to flies they’re confident in… runoff conditions are not a time to be exploring or experimenting.

The river is currently on the rise at 1,000 cfs and will likely approach 1,500 cfs on Friday, but water levels should stabilize as we go into the weekend. Visibility is down to inches below the Taylor Fork, and a bit better above. Stonefly nymphs dredged along soft banks and deep tailouts are your best bet. Which stonefly nymphs? A variety of patterns will produce, but there are a few that we’re particularly fond of:

  • Pat’s Rubber Leg/Girdle Bug – these two patterns are virtually interchangeable and can be tied in a wide variety of color combinations. They’re simple to tie and look an awful lot like the real thing. Black is a top producer at this time of year, and the bigger the better since these are imitating the giant salmonfly… size 4 to 6 isn’t overkill.
  • Mega Prince – An excellent pattern during high water, this prince nymph on steroids is heavy, buggy, and boasts a large profile… a great combination during runoff.
  • Bitch Creek – A Montana classic that produces best during periods of low to moderate water clarity.
  • Yuk Bug – Another tried and true stonefly/attractor pattern that has accounted for countless fish on Montana freestones, particularly during high water.

The weekend forecast is calling for a cooling trend extending into next week. It should be enough to slow snowmelt and stabilize flows for a few days – we have our fingers crossed. But if the weather system delivers rain at high elevations, we may see accelerated snowmelt and higher river levels next week.

Snow pack is looking good in the Gallatin drainage, with a basin wide average of 92% as of today. This should set us up for a good, healthy runoff that subsides in mid-June… hopefully just in time for the salmonfly hatch on the Gallatin.

NYMPHS

Pat’s Rubber Legs (Black) #4-8, Mega Prince #4-8, Bitch Creek #6-8, Yuk Bug #6-8, San Juan Worm (Red, Pink, Purple) #12, Egg patterns.

DRIES

If the river clears to 2-3′ of visibility: Parachute Adams #16 & #18, Sparkle Dun (Olive) #18, C.D.C. Midge Adult Black #18 , Parachute Hare’s Ear #16 & #18, Griffiths Gnat #18 & #20.

STREAMERS

Copper Zonker #6, Black Bugger Bead #6 , Bow River Bugger Olive & Black White Head #6 , Silvey’s Sculpin Black #2, Morrish Sculpin Olive #4.

UPPER MADISON FISHING REPORT – 4/21

The upper Madison is flowing at 1,200 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch (just above the West Fork) and clarity remains good. The weekend forecast is looking good for mayflies and streamers.

The upper Madison is in fine shape and continues to fish very well. Flows have bumped up slightly to about 1,200 cfs near Cameron, while remaining steady at just over 900 cfs out of Hebgen Dam. Insect activity is ramping up, midges and baetis are providing consistent head hunting opportunities on overcast afternoons, March brown duns have been spotted on the river, and caddis will be hatching soon. Anglers who are proficient with double nymph rigs are finding excellent fishing from Ennis all the way up to Hebgen Dam. Stonefly nymphs are becoming increasingly important as are caddis pupa. It’s tough to beat a #8 Pat’s Rubber Legs trailed by a #16 Shop Vac or #18 Pheasant Tail. Of course worms and eggs remain top producers as well. The streamer bite has been good at times and should really turn on with the cloud cover that is in the forecast for this weekend.

NYMPHS

Pats’ Rubber Legs #8, Mega Prince #8, Tungsten Zebra Midge Black and Red # 18, Pheasant Tail #18, Lightning Bug #18, Grey and Olive Soft Hackle # 14, Gray and Olive RS-2 #18-20, Shop Vac #16, San Juan Worm #12

DRIES

Para Adams # 18 & 16, Purple Haze #18, Sparkle Dun #18 Griffiths Gnat # 18 & # 20

STREAMERS

Zonker White # 2 & # 4, Bow River Bugger Olive & Black # 6 & 4, Silvey’s Sculpin Black # 2, Silvey’s Olive/Black # 2

YELLOWSTONE RIVER FISHING REPORT – 4/21

The Yellowstone River is on the rise at 4,700 cfs near Livingston. The river is not the best option for anglers at this time.

All bets are off on the Yellowstone. It’s on the rise and muddy – at this point it might be done until June when runoff subsides. The Lamar and Gardner (upper tributaries of the Yellowstone) have spiked substantially and are contributing heavy sediment loads to the Yellowstone. The cool down in the forecast will help, but the Yellowstone is often slow to clear once it gets momentum on its side. If the river does shape up next week, anglers can expect opportunities to take fish on caddis dries, along with the possibility of an excellent streamer bite.

NYMPHS

Pats’ Rubber legs, Tungsten Zebra Midge Black and Red # 18, Ribbed Midge Black # 16 &18 Lightning Bug Silver and Gold #16 & #18, Mega Prince # 6 & #8 , Grey and Olive Soft Hackle # 14,Gray and Olive RS-2 #18 & # 20, Hersey RS2 # 20.

DRIES

Midge Adult Black # 18 , Para Adams # 18 & #16, C.D.C. Midge Adult Black # 18 , Parachute Hare’s Ear # 16 & # 18, Irresistible Adams # 18.

STREAMERS

Zonker White # 2 & # 4, Bow River Bugger Olive & Black # 6 & 4, Silvey’s Sculpin Black # 2, Silvey’s Olive/Black # 2

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FISHING REPORT

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK’S FISHING SEASON IS CLOSED AND WILL REOPEN ON THE SATURDAY OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ( MAY 28, 2016).

2016 Fishing License Fee increase

Montana’s 2016 hunting and fishing license’s are under a new fee structure passed by the Montana state legislature. Licenses will be available at all Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and license outlets. This year hunters must purchase a new “base hunting license” that is a prerequisite to buying any state hunting license. The $10 resident license includes the hunting access enhancement fee that was charged separately for $2 last year. The new base hunting license was created in lieu of adjusting license fees for individual species. A season-long Montana resident fishing license will increase by $3 this year to $21. Fishing licenses will no longer be sold in combination with a conservation license – which is required for any hunting or fishing license purchase. The price of a resident conservation license will remain at $8 for all ages. – See more at: Under the new structure, most licenses that were free or discounted in 2015 will be charged at half of the standard license cost. Previously, free licenses or a variety of discounted prices were offered to some youth, seniors and disabled sportsmen. In 2016, only military recognition and block management cooperator combination licenses will remain free. FWP is reimbursed by the state general fund for military recognition licenses and block management cooperators provide hunting opportunities for all sportsmen. Starting Feb. 1, the new fee structure will standardize the definition of youth as those between 12 and 17 years old. This language replaces a number of age categories. The price of all other resident tags, licenses, drawing fees and permits will remain the same as in 2015.

Nonresident Conservation License ($10) plus a Montana Fishing License: • $25 for 2 consecutive calendar days, $56.00 for 10 consecutive calendar days or $86 for season •