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June 2011

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / 2011 / June (Page 5)

Yellowstone Park 6-4-2011

Firehole River is the place for stream fishing.  It’s a bit high and tea colored, but fish take BWO life cycle patterns eagerly.  Expect some crowding. The Gibbon River is high and discolored.  Tons of snow remain on the Madison and Pitchstone plateaus.  All this must melt and come down, so Fall River Basin and Lewis River systems will have high water for weeks to come.

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Small Streams 6-4-2011

Birch Creek remains the only one ready for fishing, and it is offering some great times for those bringing light weight fly gear.  Wet and dry attractors, BWO and caddis  life cycle patterns will bring afternoon action in the family area  and in the diversion.  These are mostly wild fish.  The creek between Lone Pine and the diversion is heavily fished and is full of planters.

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Big Lost River 6-4-2011

With flows out of Mackay Dam at 400 cfs, wading is quite tough.  Look for backwaters where ‘bows will pile up. Then with  care present BWO or midge life cycle patterns.

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Still Waters 6-4-2011

We are paying attention to these because still waters are the only ones offering any variety right now.  But even still waters are not at their best.  We need higher water temperatures to get things really active, and it looks like the current warming trend is just what is needed.  We have not heard of any still waters being terrific to this point, but stay with those small leech and damselfly nymph patterns because soon things will soon break loose.   And concentrate on shallower waters whether at Chesterfield (avoid discolored inflow from Toponce Creek), Twenty-Four Mile (avoid discolored water from east side creek) or Daniels reservoirs—they are warmer. Of course midging will always work.

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Henry’s Fork 6/3

The big stoneflies have been making an appearance on the Henry’s Fork. They are in full swing below the Ashton Dam. They have also moved up to Warm River but are not hatching in large numbers on the Warm River to Ashton stretch. Fish rising on these big bugs is really day to day. I would fish the dry and float a stonefly nymph as a dropper. The high water has pushed the fish towards the banks look for the fish to holding there. If the fish are not actively feeding on the surface try throwing a golden stone or a chernobyl ant. Mixing up the presentation will sometimes trigger a fish to rise.

Still Waters 6-1-2011

No big changes here.  Midging remains the most consistent technique just about everywhere.  Best locations for midging are upper end of Daniels Reservoir, Hawkins Res. along willows adjacent to the highway, east and west ends of Springfield Res.  Warm weather is sure to boost fishing activity on all still waters.

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Southwestern Montana 6-1-2011

Madison River below Quake Lake remains discolored and high, but fishing the soft water with streamers on S. J. worms can be effective.  River just below Hebgen Dam is in good shape , but it gets crowded.  Quake Lake is discolored because of Beaver and Cabin creek run-off.

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Yellowstone Park 6-1-2011

We have 2011 Yellowstone  Park fishing licenses and regulations. Right now the Firehole River is the best stream to fish in the Park.   Caddisfly, BWO, PMD and sally life cycle patterns are the way to go.  Don’t overlook soft hackle patterns either!

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Henry’s Fork 6/1

We have had a few reports of stoneflies at the Vernon Bridge and the Ora Bridge. When I say a few I am talking about a dozen nymph casings on the bridge. Not much flying yet but keep posted to the report and the weather report. Again I expect the hatch to really be in full swing by this weekend.

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