It’s good to have options
And we have plenty right now. Runoff be damned. Yellowstone National Park’s fishing season has started, and with it come countless options for anglers seeking clear water and willing trout. Throughout southwest Montana most anglers are focusing on tailwater fisheries. Such as the upper Madison, and Missouri which will remain productive throughout runoff. An often overlooked option at this time of year is the clear flowing tributaries of the Gallatin and Madison – many of these creeks offer excellent fishing. And of course we have our area lakes, such as Hebgen and Quake, that are fishing well.
The mainstem freestone rivers such as the Gallatin and Yellowstone are high and muddy. We probably haven’t seen peak runoff levels yet on these rivers and based on the remaining snowpack we expect runoff conditions to continue for another two to three weeks. That said fish are being caught on our area freestones, including some good size fish. A few tips for fishing high water during runoff include:
- Focus on the slack water along banks. Shallow water will hold fish, but deeper water is better – depth can be difficult to determine with little to no visibility… this is one of those times where familiarity with a river really pays off.
- Fish large profile nymphs and streamers along the river bottom – if your depth is in doubt, add another BB.
- This isn’t the time for 5x tippet… dirty water allows you to get away with heavier tippet, and you’ll need it for keeping fish from running out into swift currents.
- Seek out clear flowing tributaries and fish below the mouth of these streams… dilution can be the solution.
- Befriend the worm… it doesn’t matter the variety, just fish it in red, pink, and purple – worm patterns are excellent producers during high water.
- Be persistent and remember that the fish still have to eat!
- Hire a Wild Trout Outfitters guide – these guys know the river better than anyone and will get you into fish. You’ll be amazed by what you can learn over the course of a day with a good guide.
GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT
Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway MT
Flows on the Gallatin River are on the rise again. The extended forecast is calling for warm temperatures – we expect the river to peak next week, with runoff conditions persisting for another 2 to 3 weeks.
Too thick to drink and too thin to plow.
The Gallatin is in runoff mode. There’s a lot of suspended sediment in the river below the Taylor Fork and even more below the mouth of the West Fork. But prime time is right around the corner. The Gallatin River drainage is currently holding about 60% of median snowpack for this time of year. So coupled with warm temperatures forecast for next week we will probably see the river peak over the next few days. As snowmelt wanes over the next couple of weeks we’ll see water conditions steadily improve .As we move into some of the best fishing of the year. Salmonflies are on the horizon, stay tuned for a few tips for fishing the hatch. Our guide calendar is filling quickly, drop us a line or give us a call (800-423-4742) to book your dream trip and let us do what we do best… put people on fish!
Currently:
Large nymphs or dead-drifted streamers in the #4-6 size range such as the Pat’s Rubber Leg. Bitch Creek, Yuk Bug, Mega Prince, San Juan Worm, Bow River Bugger or Sparkle Minnow.
Patterns to stock up on for post-runoff:
Dries:
Flutter Bug #6-8, Cat Puke (salmonfly & golden stonefly) #6-10), Rogue Stone (salmonfly and golden stonefly) #6-10, Chubby Chernobyl (Golden) #8-10. Stimulator (Yellow) #10-14. Elk Hair Caddis (Yellow/Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16. Lime Trude #14-16, 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
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
Madison River at Kirby Ranch near Cameron MT
The upper Madison remains fishable and productive with a green hue to it and anywhere from 12″ to 18″ of visibility above the West Fork. The float section has variable water clarity day to day, depending largely upon the inflows of the West Fork.
The upper Madison is hanging in there from a water clarity standpoint.
We’ll probably see inflows from the West Fork increase next week resulting in reduced water clarity below the confluence. Above the West Fork the river remains green with anywhere from 12″ to 18″ of visibility depending upon the day. Dry fly fishing remains a possibility in the walk wade stretch with lingering hatches of baetis, caddis, and March browns. But the bulk of the action is on nymphs and streamers fished tight to the banks. The streamer bite has been really good over here this spring and that should continue for a few more weeks before low, clear flows change the game.
Stonefly nymphs remain a top producer.
As these hatches are imminent and the mature nymphs are migrating toward the banks, right where the trout are currently hanging out. We’re anticipating excellent river conditions for this year’s salmonfly hatch on the Madison – it’s not too late to get in on the action… call us today to talk shop and reserve your spot with one of our guides; there’s a beautiful stonefly-crushing rainbow out there with your name on it!
Nymphs:
Pats’ Rubber Legs #8, Mega Prince #8, Pheasant Tail #12 & #18, Soft-Hackle Lightning Bug #16-18. Lightning Bug #18, RS-2 #18-20, WD-40 #18, Shop Vac #16, $3 Dip #16-18, San Juan Worm #12
Dries:
Parachute Adams #18, Purple Haze #14-18, Sparkle Dun (olive) #18 and #12 (brown). X-Caddis #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
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
Yellowstone River near Livingston MT
The Yellowstone is on the rise, and will likely be in runoff mode over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
The Yellowstone was fishing well
As recently as 6/1, but it is likely not going to be a great option for the next couple of weeks as river levels have risen substantially and there’s enough snow remaining in the high country to sustain high flows for a while yet. Check back in a couple of weeks… you don’t want to miss that sweet post-runoff window on this river. As the ‘stone drops and clears it offers up some of the best fishing of the year on big dries and streamers fished tight to the banks.
Currently: Large nymphs or dead-drifted streamers in the #4-6 size range such as the Pat’s Rubber Leg, Bitch Creek, Yuk Bug, Mega Prince, San Juan Worm, Bow River Bugger or Sparkle Minnow.
Patterns to stock up on for post-runoff:
Dries: Flutter Bug #6-8, Cat Puke (salmonfly & golden stonefly) #6-10), Rogue Stone (salmonfly and golden stonefly) #6-10, Chubby Chernobyl (Golden) #8-10, Stimulator (Yellow) #10-14, Elk Hair Caddis (Yellow/Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Lime Trude #14-16, 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
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
Yellowstone National Park’s fishing season is open! The Firehole and Gibbon are fishing well, with sporadic reports of salmonflies in Firehole Canyon.
The early season in Yellowstone
Typically finds most of the park’s streams and rivers swollen with snowmelt, and that is currently the case. Many river systems such as the Yellowstone and its tributaries (the Lamar, Slough Creek, etc.) are virtually unfishable during the early portion of the park’s fishing season. The portion of the Gallatin River within the park is typically fishable from a clarity standpoint, but the river and its tributaries will be flowing high and water temperatures will be cold.
The Madison River
Some of the best early season fishing opportunities in the park can be found along the Madison River and its two primary tributaries. The Firehole River and the Gibbon River. These fisheries are located near the park’s west entrance and are go-to destinations for most of our guide trips in the park. The Firehole is a popular opening weekend destination for anglers, and for good reason. Because flows are typically moderate and it’s a fairly safe bet that trout will be found rising to hatches. Both caddis and baetis. Look in the classic meadow water above the falls.
Below the falls
On the Firehole anglers may still find a few large, holdover fish that migrated up from Hebgen Lake during the fall spawning run. These fish can be taken on large stonefly nymphs imitating the giant salmonfly. A hatch that occurs in early June on the lower Firehole due to its thermal influence. Should opening weekend find the Firehole flowing high and turbid, anglers can still find success. But may need to shift gears and trying swinging soft hackles or nymphing.
The Gibbon River is a very diverse fishery that provides less reliable fishing for opening weekend – some years it fishes very well on the opener, and during other years it is too high and off color to be productive. If conditions allow, anglers will do well nymphing below the falls with stonefly patterns, or with baetis imitations along the river’s upper meadow reaches.
Give us a call (800-423-4742) to discuss planning your own trip.
Patterns to have on hand for the opener:
Dries:
Adams #18-20, Sparkle Dun (olive) #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20
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.
