GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT – 4/29/16
The Gallatin River stream flow today is 907 cfs and dropping at Gallatin Gateway. The river has an opaque green color this afternoon with about 2′ of visibility below the Taylor Fork. The river is fishing well and we expect that to continue into early next week.
If you were hoping to get another shot at fishing the Gallatin prior to runoff, you’re in luck.
The ongoing cold snap has reduced flows significantly over the past few days, and we expect this trend to continue through the weekend. Flows peaked last weekend at about 1,500 cfs and have steadily dropped ever since to the current level of 850 cfs. .Clarity below the Taylor Fork is in the 2-foot range and the river’s color is decidedly more green than brown.
Today will be good, the weekend even better. Many experienced Gallatin River anglers prefer to fish the river with these conditions. They love when visibility is in that 2- to 3-foot sweet spot. Why? Namely because the fish are not as wary. So they feel less visible to predators. Green is good. It’s more forgiving of anglers and it provides enough clarity for the fish to see your fly and move to it from some distance.
The recent high water has pushed fish to the banks, and the reduced water temperatures have them holding in deep, slow water. In other words, they’re stacked up. Large stonefly and attractor nymphs will produce, as will smaller dead-drifted streamers. Worms and eggs will be tough to beat for those who aren’t squeamish about such tactics. With the improved clarity, don’t be afraid to try running small baetis nymphs and emergers down deep. We probably won’t see much in the way of dry fly fishing opportunities over the weekend. Water clarity isn’t quite there and the reduced water temperatures have stalled hatch activity.
Be sure to stop by the shop for a great selection of hot patterns.
We are your Gallatin River fly shop. We’re on the water daily and are tuned in to what’s working and what isn’t. We have the best guide staff on the river, a crew comprised of experienced and talented professionals who will work hard to get you into fish… their schedules are filling up quickly for the season, give us a call to secure your dates!
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, Pheasant Tail #18, Lightning Bug #18, Shop Vac #16
Dries: 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 – 4/29/16
The Madison is flowing at 1,050 and dropping at Kirby Ranch ( just above the West Fork ). The river has some color to it and is currently offering 2- to 3- of visibility, but continues to fish very well.
The upper Madison has picked up some color.
But that only seems to have improved the fishing. The West Fork has been pumping in a bit of mud and the Quake Lake outflow is contributing to some color above the West Fork. Visibility throughout the upper river is still good enough to allow for dry fly fishing .Midges are coming off in big numbers in the walk/wade section. So scattered baetis emergences have occurred from Ennis Lake to Hebgen Dam. With the slight warm-up in the forecast for the weekend, combined with cloud cover we could be in for a good weekend of dry fly fishing on the upper river.
Along with baetis and midge patterns, be sure to carry some March brown duns. As we should be seeing more of them in the coming days. If you’re having trouble tracking your #18-22 baetis or midge dry when searching likely pockets and banks, don’t be afraid to trail it off the back of a larger, more visible March brown or skwala stonefly pattern’s.The latter have been present on the river for a couple of weeks in spotty numbers.
Despite the increased bug activity
The dry fly fishing can feel a bit forced at times. Active risers are often few and far between, particularly on the float stretch of the river. Yet the fish are constantly on the feed subsurface. Nymphing anglers continue to do very well on the upper Madison. A variety of rigs and patterns are producing, but stoneflies, baetis, and caddis patterns remain highly effective. Double stonefly rigs have been effective, with many fish favoring slightly smaller patterns in peacock and black. Don’t be afraid to go a bit old-school with time-tested patterns such as the Carey Special or Halfback.
Streamer fishing
Streamers have been good for those who stay committed to it. The bite has been inconsistent most days, but will typically turn on at some point. It’s often necessary to rotate through colors and patterns until determining what the fish are willing to move for on any given day. Dark colors have been most consistent, but don’t count out white, yellow and flashy patterns.
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, $3 Dip #18, RS-2 #18.
Dries :
Para Adams #18, Purple Haze #18, Sparkle Dun #18 (baetis) and #12 (March brown) 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.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER FISHING REPORT – 4/29/16
The Yellowstone River is currently at 3,750 cfs and dropping near Livingston. The river will fish this weekend, but with low water temperatures and just 2′ of visibility it may not be the most productive option in the region.
The Yellowstone has surprised us all and is coming back around. It’s looking like it will be in fishable shape for the weekend (above Livingston), but with cold water temperatures and low visibility (1- to 2-foot range) it won’t be the most productive option in the region. That said, these are the type of conditions that can produce one of the giants that the Yellowstone is famous for – don’t go expecting it, but be prepared for the possibility. And by prepared we mean 7- and 8-weight rods, 200- to 300-grain sink tip lines and large streamers… persistence and focus are the keys to any hope for success. Those anglers who are looking for more consistent action on the Yellowstone over the weekend will want to stick with double-nymph rigs… big stoneflies or worms up front, trailed by caddis pupa and baetis nymphs.
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:
Parachute Adams #16 & #18, C.D.C. Midge Adult Black #18 , Parachute Hare’s Ear #16 & #18, Griffiths Gnat #18 & #20.
Streamers:
Sex Dungeon, Double Gonga, Home Invader, Barely Legal, and Sparkle Minnow.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FISHING REPORT – 4/29/16
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK’S FISHING SEASON IS CLOSED AND WILL REOPEN ON THE SATURDAY OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ( MAY 28, 2016).
Opening day of the YNP fishing season is just a month away!
It has been a long winter and many of us have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to return to rivers such as the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison. We are optimistic that the Firehole in particular will fish well on opening weekend and will welcome back anglers with rising fish. Because strong emergences of both baetis and caddis. Stay tuned for an upcoming primer on all you need to know for opening weekend in Yellowstone.
