Mid March with Angelica Junker on the Gallatin River.

Wow what a difference one month can make

For the sake of argument two weeks. The two weeks that I am making reference to would be the last 14 days. In the last 14 days we managed to lose most of our snow pack in the areas that we fish on the Gallatin and Madison River’s. River access now is much easier than it was only two weeks ago. The Gallatin River has been showing signs of early runoff with slightly higher stream-flow. So along with the early runoff the Gallatin has been experiencing off-color/sometimes a little muddy water clarity. Some people will automatically write this off as un fish-able conditions. But for the ones that know this can often times make things easier. Trout are very predictable, especially in off-color or even muddy water conditions. They tend to move into certain areas that provide a suitable place to rest and feed on anything that comes near them.

It truly is amazing how well Trout can see in pour water conditions.

Standing knee-deep in water if you can make out any part of your wading boots you’re good to go. With 1 foot of visibility a Trout can see all sizes and shapes of nymphs ,emerger’s and streamers. If anything it makes your strike a lot more noticeable. Mr. fish has less time to decide and generally will take your fly more aggressively.

Our half-day trip on the Gallatin River is a great way to go this time of year.

Usually we like to start around 10:30 AM. By the time we get our clients  situated and outfitted we tend to fish from 11 AM to 3 PM. (The warmest part of the day). Four hours is plenty to get most people on a good number of trout. Whether you’re a first timer or experienced fishermen winter fly fishing can be very rewarding. Most days a double nymph rig under an indicator is your best bet to catch fish on a regular basis.

So if you’re here on a ski trip (or just visiting)

 Try some early spring fly fishing with Wild Trout Outfitters. We have all the equipment and the gear to make it comfortable and enjoyable.Be sure to give us a call or stop by the shop if you’re interested in booking a winter fly fishing trip with some of the top guides in Montana.

GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT

The Gallatin River has been fishing well the last few weeks especially.

The last few days we’ve been seeing more and more baetis activity. With daily hatches of midge and baetis the dry fishing has picked up. Our guide trips on the Gallatin River have been doing especially good. We’ve had lots of happy people catching good numbers of Wild Trout.The nymph bite remains steady, using stone flies, golden stone flies, small midge and baetis  patterns.

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Take a break and give us a call today. Book a  Half or Full day with one of our professional guides on the blue-ribbon waters of the Gallatin River.You will be glad you did.

Dries:

#18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20

Nymphs:

RS-II (Grey) #18, Little Green Machine, Grey #18 , 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/Red Ass) #16-20

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 fishing report on the upper Madison can be summed up in one word.

GOOD.

With the unusually warm spell we’ve been having for the last two weeks, the Madison River is fully accessible.Above Hebgen Lake to the Yellowstone Park boundary has a good number of fish in it.With the warmer weather this stretch of river can fluctuate with higher water and off-color conditions. . Between the lakes still have a little bit of snow left, but you can get around pretty good.

Reynolds Pass fishing access is a great place to fish year-round especially if you walk up from Reynolds Pass and fish all the way to the slide .You can drive down to three dollar bridge and access at the West Fork of the Madison. All the boat ramps are open and ready between Lyons Bridge and burnt tree.

Don’t forget about Valley Gardens fishing access site, definitely worth a visit this time of year. On full day trips especially on the Madison dry flies are in play. The midge fishing can be extremely enjoyable with nice trout gobbling small parachute Adams , midge,and BWO  dry flies. Some days that’s all they want. And you know the rules(you have to give Mr. Fish what they want).

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

Dries:

Adams #18 and #20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20

Nymphs:

Pats’ Rubber Legs #10,Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Lightning Bug #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18. Shop Vac #16-18, Yellow Robbin # 16 and 18,, Hogan’s S&;M #18, Transitional Dun #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 E specially black.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER FISHING REPORT

The Yellowstone River is flowing nearly double its usual flow at 2850 CFS.

Definitely showing the signs of early runoff. With all the warm weather and rain this will continue for a while. Most days there are still 18 to 24 inches of visibility, which is plenty to get the job done. Nymph fishing and streamer fishing will be your best bet, using all your favorite BWO nymphs and in mergers, stone flies, and attractor patterns. I would also recommend fishing some of the spring creeks in the Yellowstone Valley above Livingston. Lots of fun lots of fish.

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Dries:

#18-20, Adams #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20. Griffith’s Gnat #18 and #20, Midge#18 and #20 , Midge Cluster #16.

Nymphs:

Pats’ Rubber Legs #10, Prince #12, CDC Pheasant Tail #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18. Lightning Bug #16-18, Copper John #14-16, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16, Serendipity (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

Yellowstone National Park is closed for fishing Intel the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This year that day is May 27, 2017.

Give us a call (800-423-4742) to discuss planning your own trip to fish Yellowstone National Park this spring,summer or fall.

Dries:

Yellowstone Park is closed for fishing until the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend

Nymphs:

  Yellowstone Park is closed for fishing until the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend

Wild Trout Outfitters Fly Fishing Report 3-1-2017 Wild Trout Outfitters Fly Fishing Report 5-2-2017