What a difference a week makes. Cooler weather, cloud cover, and scattered rain have improved river conditions throughout southwest Montana. In some cases water temperatures have improved enough to allow fisheries managers to lift fishing closures. On the Yellowstone River closures have been lifted on the reach of river between Carter’s Bridge and Springdale, opening up quite a bit of additional water to unrestricted fishing. And while the upper Gallatin and upper Madison weren’t impacted by Hoot Owl fishing restrictions, the cooler weather has benefited the fishing.
As we move into mid-August we enter a period of time when hatches are sparse on our rivers. At this time the bulk of dry fly opportunities come in the form of terrestrials such as hoppers, ants, and beetles. Nymphing remains the primary producer for anglers looking to catch high numbers of fish, with midge and baetis imitations becoming increasingly important… the diversity of nymph species that are readily available to fish at this time of year is greatly diminished.
We’re expecting a productive few weeks to close out the summer season on our area fisheries before our focus turns to fall brown trout in Yellowstone National Park and elsewhere.
If your plans to fish in Montana this summer 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, Madison, or Yellowstone Rivers.
GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Gallatin is low as compared to historic averages, but the upper river has held up well and the fishing has been consistent for those fishing the appropriate nymph patterns. Dry flies have their moments, but Spruce Moth numbers are tapering off and hopper action is day to day. Beetles, ants, and small attractors have been the most consistent patterns.
It doesn’t take much guesswork to determine where the fish are holding right now. The Gallatin is looking a bit skinny, the deeper pools and runs really standout. The fish are largely stacked up in the deeper holding areas right now… some of these honey holes are relatively small buckets and drop offs that can only be effectively fished by a single angler at a time, while some of the larger holes can accommodate two or three anglers at at time. At this time of year the prime water on the larger runs and holes tends to be up towards the head of the run, where faster, highly-oxygenated water enters. Shady lies are good as well… during the mid-day hours in particular keep an eye out for pockets and pools that are shaded from the sun.
Hatches of aquatic insects have pretty much come to a halt – standard for mid-August. At this point the only significant hatches on the horizon are fall baetis and October caddis, both of which will start to provide dry fly opportunities in September, weather permitting. Baetis nymphs are active in the river, and are an important food source for the river’s fish throughout August… 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. Along with beatis, midge pupa patterns are effective at this time -with simple patterns such as the Zebra Midge taking their fair share of fish.
Spruce moths are tapering off on the Gallatin, but there are still enough around to attract the attention of trout early in the morning – but be prepared to work for moth eaters at this point… they can be few and far between. The mainstay terrestrial patterns – hoppers, ants, and beetles – are the primary attraction at this point, with the latter two providing the most consistent dry fly action. 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.
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: Chubby Chernobyl (Royal, Purple, Tan) #8-10, Chernobyl Ant (Black/Tan) #8-10, Stimulator (Yellow) #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis (Yellow/Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Lime Trude #12-16, Sparkle Dun (PMD) #16-18, Purple Haze #14-18
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Hare’s Ear #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Copper John #14-16, Beadhead Yellow Sally #14-16, 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 and is fishing very well. Nymphs are the go-to tactic for the most consistent fishing, but we’re seeing good opportunities to fish larger dry flies for the first couple hours of the day, as well as a solid streamer bite early in the day.
The fishing on the Madison has gone from pretty good to really good. The cooler weather has certainly helped, as have good water levels. Hatches of aquatic insects are really tapering off, but terrestrial insect activity is largely making up for it. The hopper bite has been inconsistent, but for those anglers willing to stick with it – particularly on float trips where a lot of water is covered – it will produce. Beetles and ants have provided more steady action and can be a good option behind a hopper or larger attractor dry fly pattern.
We’re still seeing good action on nocturnal stonefly imitations during the early-morning hours with the Chubby Chernobyl continuing to produce in purple, royal, and UV tan. Most of the nocturnal stoneflies have hatched at this point, but fish are still taking a size 10 Rubber Legs in Tan/Brown. The nymph bite has been really good all day long riverwide. Top patterns have been smaller mayfly nymphs and midge pupa patterns… along with some small attractor patterns. A box stocked with Lightning Bugs, Pheasant Tails, RS-2’s, Serendipities, Shop Vacs, and Zebra Midges will typically suffice.
The streamer bite has picked up noticeably, with the best action coming during the early morning hours on small sculpin and minnow imitations. Later in the day these same patterns can be dead-drifted successfully as part of a tandem nymph rig.
Call today to book a float trip on the world-famous upper Madison River.
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
Dries: Chubby Chernobyl (Tan, Purple, Royal) #8-10, Chernobyl Ant (Tan) #8-10, Stimulator (Yellow) #14, Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Trude (Lime/Adams Grey) #12-16, Sparkle Dun (PMD) #16-18, Purple Haze #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
The Yellowstone River is now under “hoot owl” restrictions from Springdale downstream… no fishing is allowed on this stretch from 2pm to midnight due to elevated water temperatures and low flows.
From Springdale downstream the Yellowstone River is now closed to fishing from 2pm to midnight… flows are low and the water is too warm. The restrictions are in place to help protect the fishery for the long term.
The river is still fishing pretty well early in the day… at least some days – in typical Yellowstone River fashion the fishing is inconsistent… solid one day and tough the next.
The nocturnal stonefly hatch is still going on, and the lower reaches of the trout water are seeing more and more hopper activity. Dry flies are getting attention during early morning – particularly low-riding stoneflies and smaller hoppers.
The nymph fishing has been solid with tandem rigs consisting of a larger lead fly (Wooly Bugger, Pat’s Rubber Leg, Bow River Bugger, Sparkle Minnow or Zonker to name a few) trailed by a smaller beadhead nymph (Shop Vacs, CDC Pheasant Tails, Serendipities and Lightning Bugs have been productive). But be forewarned that smaller beadhead nymphs are producing lots and lots of whitefish right now. If you want to avoid the whitefish, try sticking with dead-drifted streamers and larger stonefly nymphs. Ripping streamers off the banks has had its moments, but has slowed considerably with the warmer water temperatures and sunny conditions… smaller streamers dead drifted below an indicator have been finding more success.
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. The Firehole and Madison have warmed considerably and are largely out of play for anglers. The Gibbon remains a productive option on the west side.
The Yellowstone River in YNP is in prime summer shape. The canyon reaches of the 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 warmed considerably and are no longer good options. The Gibbon River is fishing well along its entire length, providing a good option for anglers on the west side of the park.
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
