Main Stem Snake River 8/29
Flow has decreased because of less water out of Palisades Dam, but fishing with streamers tight to undercut banks should hold up through the weekend.
August 2008
South Fork 8/29
The flow dropped 1500 cfs last night and this morning to 10,500 cfs. While it may slow the fishing a little it will cause the wingless golden stones to be more active which should keep the chernobyl ant patterns producing. We may start to see some blue wing olive mayflies as the weather cools as expected later this weekend. The river below Lorenzo not far above the Henry’s Fork confluence has cleared up and appears stabilized after cutting a new channel.
Henry’s Fork 8/29
We sure need some cool weather to bring back fishing action along “The Fork”. Spotty conditions have prevailed, but September is the month in which we begin seeing more activity from fish. Later this month look for BWOs to bring action along the lower river. Streamers are always a good bet for Box Canyon, the Tubs, and when float fishing anywhere on the lower river.
Henry’s Lake 8/29
We are beginning to cool off, so look for action to pick up in other places than creek mouths. It will take a while for fish to move in big numbers into and cruise shorelines, but we have reports of a few doing so.
Big Lost 8/29
Flow out of Mackay Dam is just over 300 cfs, so a good September is shaping up. You can walk-in and carefully wade now. Use midge life cycle patterns, bead head nymphs and terrestrial patterns for best results.
Yellowstone Park 8/28
Spruce moth patterns are producing on the lower end of the Madison in the Park and on the upper reached of the Gallatin in the Park. Terrestrials are bringing action on all streams, and caddis swarms provide evening action. The Snake River at the South Entrance can offer great action this time of year for those offering terrestrial patterns. This is also a great place to offer humpys; they make a great horsefly imitation. The best still water action in the Park is on Beula Lake. Action on Riddle lake is bad either.
Small Streams 8/28
You will see redfish in Big Elk Creek for a while. They will not hurt the fishing but will bring out the “gold rush mentality” in some folks. So there may be some crowds around the lower creek. Other than that, it remains a great time on all our small waters with hoppers so numerous.
South Western Montana 8/26
Look for a stormy second half of the weekend, but between now & then go with terrestrial and spruce moth patterns on streams.and Speckled duns and tricos are diminishing, so gulpers have slowed on Hebgen and other waters. Give em one last try before the stormy weather begins later this weekend.
Still Water 8/26
Flow out of Chesterfield has been stopped making for a good chance for holdover water. Currently fishing here has been slowed because of algae growth. Daniels is providing excellent still water fishing with leech patterns on intermediate lines and midge life cycle patterns. Some gulpers remain, so speckled dun emergers (hare’s ear nymphs) just below the surface still produce. Same applies to some gulpers left working on Springfield Reservoir.
Main Stem Snake River 8/26
Flows are almost double traditional amounts for this time of year, but look for them to drop as flow out of Palisades Dam ramps down. Meanwhile terrestrial and streamer patterns close to banks will bring action.