Southwest Montana 7-7-12
Looks like a great stonefly hatch is traveling up the Madison River. Add the beginning of the Hebgen Lake gulpers, and this part of the world offers some great fishing.
Author: cheeseburger
Small Streams 7-7-12
Stick with “where to go” info we gave in the July 3rd report. All these streams remain good choices, but with warming weather, some will fade from the good fishing scene in a few weeks. We’ll keep tabs on these for making recommendations to you.
Yellowstone Park 7-7-12
Good reports are coming in from Beula Lake where small beadhead and damselfly nymphs are producing. The Firehole River is done for good fishing until September. Some PMDs and lots’a caddis remain on the Madison River for evening fishing. Some evening brown drakes remain on Duck Creek and meadow reaches of the Gibbon River. Fall River Basin streams are shaping up with run-off about finished. Look for their green and brown drakes to begin emerging. Right now PMDs and sallies are just beginning to bring surface feeders on all Basin streams. The Gallatin river is also free of run-off and giving good PM fishing with active caddis and some golden stones.
Henry’s Lake 7-7-12
Damselflies are bringing action on several places around the lake. Try in front of creek mouths including Targhee, Howard and Duck . If these locations get crowded look for channles in the weeds and for spring holes to try your luck.
Henry’s Fork 7-7-12
The lower river has entered the usual summer doldrums. So go to the upper river for best fishing. Box Canyon offers good nymph fishing with you favorite small bead head patterns or medium sized rubber legs. On the Harriman-Last Chance reach the brown drakes are winding down, so spinners and caddis bring best evening action. PMDs bring mid day action with emerger patterns producing best. Later in the afternoon flavs emerge and bring action.
South Fork 7-6
Yesterday was the day! Things finally turned on in regards to dry fly fishing on the river. We had great reports of fish up and eating the Salmon Fly and Yellow Sallies. We did have some weather yesterday and some rain which is always really good for fishing especially during the summer time. This is great news because we have been waiting for the dry fly bite to start. It’s only going to get better from here on out. SO get out there catch some fish and come share your stories with us in the shop.
Flows have stayed steady and the Salmon Flies are in the Canyon. Good Yellow Sally and PMD hatches during the afternoon.
South Fork 7-5
The South Fork has Salmon flies hatching in really good numbers, the Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes and PMD’s have been hatching as well. So why are the fish really hesitant to rise and we haven’t had off the charts dry fly fishing? That’s a good question most of us figure its because of the large amount of food throughout the water column there is not a large need for the trout to eat dries off the surface. The good news is this will change and the nymphing is fantastic! Lots of fish are being caught under the surface right now. We suggest throwing a Chenobyl Ant with nymph droppers. Some of our Salmon Fly patterns are big enough to float a Rubberleg and that is a great combination! This way you will catch the fish eager to eat a dry fly and all the other ones eating nymphs. The fish are super healthy this year and they are fighting hard. The banks and the riffles are fishing good. Call the shop for up to the minute reports.
Henry’s Fork 7-3-12
With green drakes passing their peak, start looking for flavs. Brown drakes are making for great evening fishing, especially on the lower part of the Harriman reach. Evening caddis and AM PMD spinner falls are going on everywhere on the river.
Hemry’s Lake 7-3-12
Damselfly hatch is going on. Don’t have to say much more, but look for channels around weed beds for action.
Big Lost River 7-3-12
With 550 cfs coming out of Mackay Dam wading remains tough in the river below. Best fishing is in or on just below Copper Basin right now. Look for caddis, PMDs, sallys, golden stonefly and traditional dry patterns to bring action.