We’re in the midst of a cool, wet weather pattern in SW Montana and boy do we need it. Water temperatures have dropped substantially and should remain on the cool side over the next week as the extended forecast is calling for cool to moderate air temperatures. Hopefully we’ve seen the last of 70-degree water temperatures throughout the region.
This weather system has things feeling very fall like suddenly. All of our area rivers have offered good streamer fishing at times, and spotty afternoon baetis hatches. The Madison River in Yellowstone National Park should see its first push of browns and rainbows migrating in from Hebgen Lake. It’s a bit early still to really focus on the fall-run fish, as their numbers are relatively low compared to how many fish will be in the system a month from now – but there are fish to be caught, and the fishing pressure is light.
State fisheries managers have re-opened a portion of the Yellowstone River to fishing, this is good news – and helps alleviate some of the pressure that the Madison River has received over the past couple of weeks. Hopefully we’ve seen the worst of the fish kill, and the surviving fish will exhibit strong immunity to the parasite in the years to come.
If your plans to fish in Montana are impacted by river closures, give us a call and we can work with you to plan a revised itinerary that will exceed your expectations. Let one of our seasoned guides show you the ropes on the Gallatin River, Madison River, or within Yellowstone National Park.
GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Gallatin is fishing very well. Water temperatures have improved with the recent cool weather. Terrestrial dry fly fishing remains sporadic, but productive at times. Nymphs remain the most consistent action, but we’re also starting to see more fish come to streamers.
We’re moving into fall mode on the Gallatin… cold water temperatures in the morning mean that there’s no need for an early start. By mid morning the nymph bite is good, primarily with small nymphs. Baetis nymphs are active in the river, and are an important food source for the river’s fish over the coming weeks… in fact baetis nymphs are our top producers right now on any given day. Virtually any small (#18-20) baetis pattern will do the trick, but a few of our favorites include: Pheasant Tail, RS-2, Little Green Machine, WD-40, Transitional Dun, and Lightning Bug. Midge pupa patterns are effective at this time as well with simple patterns such as the Zebra Midge taking their fair share of fish.
The mainstay terrestrial patterns – hoppers, ants, and beetles – are providing the most consistent dry fly action right now. Hopper eats have been sporadic, and the action is day to day. A windy day on the meadow reaches of the upper river can provide good hopper fishing. Ant patterns have been the most consistent option over the past week or so.
The streamer fishing is improving with the best action coming early and late in the day (when there is no direct sun on the water)… and on overcast days the bite can be productive throughout the day. Smaller sculpin and baitfish patterns have been most productive… think Bow River Bugger, McCune’s Sculpin, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Clouser, and Home Invader – natural colors have been producing best.
Give us a call today to book a day with one of our professional guides on the blue-ribbon waters of the upper Gallatin River.
Dries: Morrish Hopper #8-10, Grand Hopper #10-12, Dave’s Hopper #8-10, Parachute Hopper #8-12, Parachute Ant (Cinnamon & Two-tone) #12-14, Hi-Viz Foam Beetle (#12-16), Stimulator (Orange) #10, Trude (Lime & Adams Grey) #14-16, X-Caddis #14-16, Purple Haze #12-18
Nymphs: RS-II (Grey) #18-20, Little Green Machine #18-20, Pheasant Tail #16-20, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Hare’s Ear #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16-18, Serendipity (Red/Crystal) #16-18, Zebra Midge (Black/Olive) #18-20
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
UPPER MADISON FISHING REPORT
The upper Madison is in great shape. The river has absorbed a lot of fishing pressure over the past couple of weeks due to other rivers being closed. Nymphs are the go-to tactic for the most consistent fishing, but the streamer bite has been very good at times.
The Madison River has absorbed a lot of fishing pressure over the past two weeks as guides and outfitters who would normally be operating on the Yellowstone River have had to make other arrangements. The float stretch has received the lion’s share of the traffic and the fishing has been a little tougher as a result. Small nymphs and 4x or 5x tippet has been the ticket, with some productivity on stonefly nymphs and small, dead-drift streamers.
The top producing nymph patterns have been smaller mayfly nymphs and midge pupa patterns… along with some small attractor patterns. RS-2’s, WD-40’s, Pheasant Tails, Lightning Bugs, Little Green Machines, Transitional Duns, $3 Dips, and various midge pupa patterns.
The streamer bite has been really good at times, particularly during times of cloud cover. We’re starting to see some reactionary strikes on large, articulated patterns – but the most consistent action is still on smaller, single-hook minnow and sculpin imitations.
Call today to book a float trip on the world-famous upper Madison River.
Dries: Chubby Chernobyl (Tan, Purple, Royal) #8-10, Chernobyl Ant (Tan) #8-10, Morrish Hopper #8-10, Grand Hopper #10-12, Dave’s Hopper #8-10, Parachute Hopper #8-12, Parachute Ant (Cinnamon & Two-tone) #12-14, Hi-Viz Foam Beetle (#12-16), Stimulator (Orange) #10, Trude (Lime & Adams Grey) #12-14, Purple Haze #12-18
Nymphs: Pats’ Rubber Legs #8, Mega Prince #8, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Lightning Bug #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Shop Vac #16-18, Serendipity (Brown/Red) #16-18, Crystal Dip #16-18, Anato-May #16, Military May #16, Hogan’s S&M #18, Transitional Dun #16-18, San Juan Worm (Purple) #12
Streamers: Sex Dungeon #4, Circus Peanut #4, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Yellowstone River has been partially reopened to fishing. All tributaries, except the Shields River watershed, have been reopened to fishing.
The Yellowstone River has been partially reopened to fishing, with the closure lifted from the Highway 89 bridge downriver to Laurel. Additionally, all tributaries have been reopened to fishing with the exception of the Sheilds River and its tributaries.
For more on the current Yellowstone River closures visit: http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/headlines/nr_4284.html
If you’re fishing the Yellowstone, be sure to inspect, clean and dry your gear prior to fishing other waterways.
Dries: Chubby Chernobyl (Tan, Purple, Royal) #8-10, Stimulator (Yellow) #14, Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Lime Trude #12-16, Sparkle Dun (PMD) #16-18, Purple Haze #14-18
Nymphs: Pats’ Rubber Legs #8, Mega Prince #8, San Juan Worm (Red) #12, CDC Pheasant Tail #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Copper John #14-16, Beadhead Yellow Sally #14, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16, Serendipity (Red/Crystal) #16-18.
Streamers: Sex Dungeon #4, Circus Peanut #4, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FISHING REPORT
The Yellowstone and its tributaries are fishing very well. Water temperatures on the Firehole and Madison have decreased substantially over the past few days. Sporadic reports of anglers catching fall migrating fish in the Madison have surfaced.
The Yellowstone River and its tributaries throughout Yellowstone National Park are OPEN to fishing.
The canyon reaches of the Yellowstone River are fishing very well, with a variety of attractor and terrestrial dry fly patterns. The river is now open above the falls, offering anglers opportunities to sight fish to large, native cutthroat. All of the Yellowstone’s tributaries are in great shape with excellent dry fly fishing on Slough and Soda Butte Creeks as well as on the Lamar River.
The Firehole and Madison in the park have cooled off quite a bit thanks to the cool, wet weather we’ve had recently. Migratory fish have started moving into the Madison River from Hebgen Lake, but it’s early and they are few in number. The Gibbon River is fishing well along its entire length, providing a good option for anglers on the west side of the park. It won’t be long before this system is harboring fall-run browns and rainbows from Hebgen Lake… our guides will begin focusing almost exclusively on these fisheries in mid- to late-September until the park closes in early November.
Give us a call (800-423-4742) to discuss planning your own trip to fish Yellowstone National Park.
Dries: Adams #18-20, Sparkle Dun – Olive (baetis), Yellow (PMD) #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20, Light Cahill #16-18
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail #18-20, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail #18-20, CDC Emerger #18-20, Partridge & Olive Soft Hackle #18-20, Lightning Bug #18-20, WD-40 #18-20, RS-2 #18-20, Pat’s Rubber Leg #8
