Montana Fly Fishing Report – October 6, 2016

After a warm, dry spring and summer in southwest Montana we’re experiencing a good, old fashioned fall season. The aspens have turned to gold, bull elk are bugling in the meadows, and there’s snow on the high peaks. While many residents and visitors may wish for the warm, sunny conditions of an Indian summer, we anglers know better. The cold, wet, and cloudy weather we’ve had over the past few days has turned the fishing on in a big way. Flows are up on all of our area rivers, and fish that migrate for fall spawning are on the move. We’ve had remarkable baetis hatches every afternoon over the past few days, along with incredible streamer fishing and dynamite nymphing.

The forecast is calling for a mix of sun and clouds over the next few days, with another weather system moving in next week… it doesn’t look like the fishing is going to slow down anytime soon. Get out here and enjoy it!

At this time of year we get a lot of folks stopping by the shop asking for tips on streamer fishing, here are a few recommendations for the newbies (we’ve all been there) and some refreshers for the experts out there:

Use a rod that is capable of casting a streamer all day. Sure, you might be able to get away with your 5-weight, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. A 6, 7, or 8 weight rod has the backbone to handle larger, heavier streamers and sink-tip lines. Your shoulder will thank you after a long day of chucking and ducking.
While there’s a time and a place for the giant, articulated streamers, don’t focus solely on them. Smaller sculpin and baitfish patterns can be highly effective – fish will often take them with greater confidence. Another benefit of smaller streamer patterns is that many of them can be effectively dead-drifted under an indicator… a great tactic when the fish aren’t as willing to chase.
Yes, those streamers are expensive… and yes, we’re in the business of selling flies… but an effective streamer fisherman isn’t afraid to lose a few flies. Fall streamer fishing is all about big browns, and big browns love structure… get those flies tight to bank!
Fish short, heavy leaders… those big-predatory trout aren’t leader shy. By heavy we’re talking 1x and 0x tippet, or 12-15 pound Maxima.
Try a tandem streamer rig, we particularly like to fish two streamers on heavy (200 and 300-grain) sink-tip lines in big, deep water… some of the runs on the Yellowstone and Missouri come to mind. We’ll typically run a larger, attention-getting streamer up front, trailed by a smaller pattern.
As for patterns, sure, we have a few favorites – but more important than having the hottest new patterns is to ensure that you have a variety of colors, sizes, and silhouettes (primarily sculpin and baitfish).

Be sure to give us a call or stop by the shop if you’re interested in booking a day of fishing with some of the top guides in Montana.

GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT

Water temperatures are low, and the fishing is best during late morning through the afternoon. Expect continued baetis hatches on overcast afternoons, as well as some of the best streamer fishing of the year on the Gallatin.

Afternoons on the Gallatin are good. By early afternoon water temperatures have risen and the trout are aggressive. String up two rods… one for streamers and one for baetis. It’s a pain in the neck to completely re-rig on the water from streamers to dries… particularly when the run at your feet is boiling fish rising to size 20 mayflies!

The forecast is calling for a mix of sun and clouds through the weekend, followed by another storm system next week. We’ll have at least some dry fly fishing through the weekend, with heavy, consistent hatches returning when the wet weather does. If you’re fishing over risers, but having trouble connecting, be sure to try trailing an emerger or nymph (non-beadhead) behind your dun.

The nymph bite remains steady, with the usual suspects… small baetis and midge patterns are still our top producers. Eggs are back on the menu as well now that the river’s whitefish population is spawning.

Streamers are taking fish consistently. Now is the time to get aggressive if targeting the Gallatin’s larger trout. While we’ve seen some success on big, articulated patterns the best action has been with smaller sculpin and baitfish patterns… think Bow River Bugger, McCune’s Sculpin, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Clouser, and Home Invader.

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: Sparkle Dun (Olive) #18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20, Stimulator (Orange) #10-12, Grand Hopper #12

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

It’s a beautiful time of year to float the world-famous upper Madison River. Crowds are light and the fish are willing! Fall baetis hatches have been dependable on overcast afternoons, and the streamer bite has been good enough to stick with it, even under sunny skies.

Launching a drift boat on a crisp fall morning on the upper Madison is a treat, even the locals don’t take it for granted. An early start right now should result in lots of chases and hook-ups on the streamer… and very little competition in the form of other anglers. The nymph bite has been good throughout the day on a variety of patterns, but particularly with baetis nymphs. And on overcast afternoons we’ve been seeing lots of fish up and rising to baetis emergers and duns. There are also enough October caddis around to garner the attention of trout, and searching with a size 10 Stimulator can pay dividends. Terrestrial activity has waned, but smaller hopper patterns are taking fish at times… it’s certainly worth keeping them in the rotation, just don’t run with it for too long if you’re not seeing results. With the sunny weather in the forecast over the next week we may see some of the season’s last good hopper action.

Note that the boat ramp at Varney Bridge is currently closed for renovation, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks anticipates the closure running through October 12th.

Call today to book a float trip on the world-famous upper Madison River.

Dries: Sparkle Dun (Olive) #18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20, Stimulator (Orange) #10-12, Grand Hopper #12

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 and its tributaries have been completely reopened for fishing. The river is fishing well from top to bottom, with some good streamer and dry-fly fishing on overcast days.

The Yellowstone River and its tributaries have been completely reopened to fishing as of 9/23. Read more from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at: http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/headlines/nr_4278.html

The river has been fishing well, particularly with streamers… swung, stripped, dead-drifted… it’s all producing. Some big fish are being taken by anglers willing to commit to the streamer and cover some water.

With the recent cold, wet weather the terrestrial fishing has taken a backseat, but once things dry out there will probably be a few good trout still willing to eat a hopper. Baetis hatches have had heads up in the back eddies – a simple Parachute Adams or Sparkle Dun in size 18 to 20 will do the trick.

Give us a call to book a fall float trip on the legendary big fish water of the Yellowstone River.

Dries: Sparkle Dun (Olive) #18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20, Stimulator (Orange) #10-12, Grand Hopper #12

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.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FISHING REPORT

The west side rivers are once again playing host to a strong fall run of brown and rainbow trout migrating up from Hebgen Lake. The Madison, Firehole and Gibbon are all producing runners, the number increasing by the day.

It’s prime time right now for fall-run fish on the west side of the park. The recent cold, wet weather has resulted in a big push of fish up into the Madison and its tributaries. Fishing pressure is picking up, and an early start will help ensure that you get some productive water to yourself. But keep in mind that there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path spots for anglers who like avoid the crowds and do a bit of exploring.Fall baetis hatches have fish looking to the surface, but the bulk of the action has been on nymphs, soft hackles and streamers with nymphing anglers taking the majority of fish on a variety of patterns including stonefly and baetis nymphs along with worm and egg patterns.

Away from the fall-run madness are countless of miles of pristine trout water that hardly see an angler at this time of year. Give us a call (800-423-4742) to discuss planning your own trip to fish Yellowstone National Park this fall.