South Western Montana 8/26
Trout going after spruce moths on streams near pine forests and gulpers after speckled duns & tricos (diminishing a bit) are providing best action.
August 2008
South Fork 8/26
Flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped to 12000 cfs. This small amount should not impact fish activity, but look for flows to continue to drop as USBurRec begins storing water for the next irrigation season. Labor Day weekend is an important one for most anglers, so if we learn of any flow change out of Palisades Dam, we will post them here. Meanwhile, stick to those terrestrial patterns tight to the banks, and don’t overlook streamer patterns in the same locations especially early or late in the day. Mutant stoneflies are out making for some AM fishing. Also do not overlook the evening caddis activity.
Henry’s Fork 8/26
Look for action to pick up all along the river when we begin cooling in September. For now terrestrial patterns bring the best action during days when wind is not blowing a gale. The Warm River to Ashton reach is providing some action for those presenting streamers early and late in the day.
Still Water 8/22
Daniels and Twenty-four mile reservoirs are holding up well with respect to fishing success. Try speckled duns on the surface for any gulpers. Try green apple leeches and halloweens on intermediate lines to get into fish at depths. Trail these with a speckled dun emerger, such as a bead head hares ear. An algae bloom has made Chesterfield look like pea soup, and fishing there has slacked a bit. Springfield has good days and bad days.
Small Streams 8/22
Flav emergence is going on during afternoons on the South Fork tribs. This is a great event for those fly-fishers enjoying smaller waters and solitude. Other than that terrestrial patterns bring excellent action on all small waters. Some streams, such as the Teton River in Teton Basin also offer early AM trico spinner falls
Main Stem Snake River 8/22
No significant change in flows here. Best fishing remains below Blackfoot where streamers and hopper are best patterns. In a few weeks look for snowflake dun emergence on the river just above American Falls Reservoir.
South Western Montana 8/22
Spruce moths are emerging in big numbers in the area, and for just about any stream in southwestern Montana, the best fly is one that imitates them. This applies to the Madison, the West Fork of the Madison, the Gallatin, the Taylor’s Fork, Ruby River and even the Beaverhead. For still waters, Hebgen Lake gulpers provide the best action, but there are gulpers on other lakes in the region.
South Fork 8/22
Flows have not dropped at quite the rate that US Bureau of Reclamation predicted, and even if they go down a few hundred cfs at a time, don’t look for a big impact on fishing success. But count on flows to drop to around historic levels by Labor Day weekend. Meanwhile, Hoppers and other terrestrials close to banks and overhead cover brings the best results up and down the river. Don’t overlook pitching a streamer to the same places, especially during evenings.
Henry’s Fork 8/22
Look for better fishing after the wind dies. A hatching insect doesn’t have a chance to even mate in the winds we have had the last couple of days. Even the hoppers will hold on tight, but the wind is dying, so go back to placing terrestrials tight to banks and underneath overhead cover.
Still Water 8/18
With surface waters warming, dry fly action has slowed a bit. Go to medium depths where cooler water is more hospitable for trout. An intermediate or slow sinking line will help you get there. Use small leech and nymph patterns.