The warm, dry conditions have caught up with us. River closures are rampant throughout the state, with most of our freestones closed for business from 2pm to midnight… the hours when water temperatures are typically highest. Fisheries managers have even gone so far as to shut down a couple of rivers completely – the Jefferson and portions of the Big Hole are entirely closed to fishing.
Unfortunately the Yellowstone River has succumbed to low flows and warm weather this year. From Carter’s Bridge (just upriver from Livingston) downstream, the river is now under “hoot owl” restrictions meaning that anglers aren’t allowed to fish it after 2pm. Of course this doesn’t really change the routine of guides and knowledgeable anglers who for the past few weeks have been getting on the river early and wrapping things up by early afternoon when the bite shuts down as water temperatures approach – and exceed – the 70-degree mark.
The bright spots in SW Montana are the upper Madison – which is dam fed, helping to keep water temperatures moderate and flows steady – and the upper Gallatin, which is a high-elevation freestone that holds up relatively well during hot, dry conditions. We feel very fortunate to call these two fisheries our home water.
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 in Yellowstone National Park.
GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Gallatin is arguably our best option right now, particularly during mid-day. The upper river, while low, remains cold and is fishing well on a variety of dry flies and nymphs.
The upper Gallatin, from the mouth of the canyon up to the headwaters in Yellowstone National Park, is fishing well. We have no closures on this portion of the river, and water temperatures remain moderate. River levels are low compared to historic averages for this time of year, but there is still plenty of water in the river.
The water conditions that we’re currently experiencing make knowledge of the river very important. It’s a big advantage to know where the deep holes and buckets are – particularly some of those slightly out-of-the-way spots that aren’t visible from the highway and that don’t have a beaten path to them. Due to the fact that so many rivers are closed to fishing throughout the state, the Gallatin is seeing a bit more pressure than usual and the fish are wising up.
That said, don’t be afraid to fish the backwater of other anglers… many folks are barely scratching the surface of what the river has to offer. Everyone is using a slightly different tactic and essentially targeting different fish. It’s not uncommon to catch fish out of a hole that other anglers just left. If you’re nymphing, try adding another split shot… many anglers aren’t fishing deep enough. Or try dead drifting a small streamer such as a Zonker or Bugger. If you’re fishing dries, show ’em something different… try an ant or beetle pattern or skate a large attractor through fast water. Mix it up. Just because everyone else is throwing a Chubby Chernobyl doesn’t mean that it’s always the best choice. When fishing pressured water that has recently been worked heavily by other anglers, know that often times the anglers who came before you pushed the fish up into the head of the run – it can pay off to fish seams and pockets in the heavy water above a good hole or run.
The dry fly bite has picked up a bit with smaller attractors (Wulffs, Trudes, Stimulators, Purple Haze, etc.) taking fish throughout the day for those willing to work at it. The increased presence of terrestrial insects along the river is mostly to thank for this, with spruce moths providing good incentive for the trout to look to the surface. During times of spruce moth activity (primarily during early morning), a simple Elk Hair Caddis in size 14 will get the job done. Small hoppers and ants are getting some attention as well, particularly south of Big Sky.
Give us a call today to book a trip to fish the Spruce Moth hatch!
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
Nocturnal stoneflies and spruce moths are providing some early morning dry fly action. Terrestrial patterns – including ants and small hoppers – are in play throughout the day. Nymphs and small streamers under an indicator are the top producers.
Not much has changed on the Madison… it continues to fish well, but the bulk of the productivity has been from dawn through late morning. Evenings are good as well, with the fishing picking up after about 4pm… the upper reaches of the river in the walk/wade stretch are still seeing good caddis activity most evenings. The morning bite has been best on nymphs and small streamers dead-drifted or slow-stripped. Dry fly rigs are picking up fish, but not nearly with the efficiency of nymph rigs.
For the dry-fly angler a small attractor or terrestrial pattern fished behind a larger stonefly dry has been the go-to rig. Nocturnal stoneflies are active throughout the float and wade stretches of the upper Madison and fish are responding to stonefly dries, particularly early in the day. A tan, purple, or royal Chubby Chernobyl trailed by a Purple Haze or Spruce Moth will produce fish for those willing to stick with it. For nymphs we’re seeing the best results on small Hare’s Ears, Lightning Bugs, $3 Dips, Little Green Machines, Hogan’s Indigo Child, Hogan’s S&M, Zebra Midges, and San Juan Worms.
Aggressive, spring and fall style streamer tactics aren’t producing consistently, but smaller streamer patterns dead-drifted, swung, or slow-stripped are producing. Variations of the Zonker and Bugger are the go-to patterns and can be trailed by a productive nymph pattern to cover all bases. It often seems that the streamer will attract the attention of fish and the nymph will seal the deal.
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 Carter’s Bridge downstream… no fishing is allowed on this stretch from 2pm to midnight due to elevated water temperatures and low flows.
From Carter’s Bridge 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
