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.
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.
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.
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.
A strategy point for most small waters is that best fishing happens after mid morning. At our high elevation heat radiates off very quickly, and time is required in the AM to warm waters and countryside up to levels where insects become active. Trico spinner falls are an exceptions to promoting early AM action, but not all small waters host tricos.
River is running considerably higher than normal below Henry’s Fork confluence. This makes for a bit of a slowdown in fishing. Nevertheless we have had some reports of good fishing (hoppers & streamers close to the banks) the river just above American Falls Reservoir.
Hebgen Lake still offers good gulper fishing, and the Madison River below Slide Inn has also been good fishing with terrestrials, evening caddis and a few mayflies making for action.
Flows are still about 12900 cfs out of Palisades Dam. BUT: tonight they will drop 500 cfs, and tomorrow night (8/20) another 500 cfs. Look for flows out of Palisades to drop under 10,000 cfs soon after Labor Day. Get in touch with us if you have questions on this news. Hoppers and other terrestrial insects are the way to go. Don’t overlook the idea of a trailing pattern, too. For those considering a trip on the river below Lorenzo, the river is cutting a new channel on the lower end. This is making for discolored water down to Menan, so streamers and nymphs may be the best way to go on the lower end of your trip.
Hoppers and other terrestrial patterns tight against banks or evening rises to caddis swarms are the best way to find action up and down the river these days. We have some reports of good evening streamer fishing on the Warm River to Ashton section.
It’s a great time to float the river above American Falls Reservoir. The trip from Tilden Bridge to the McTucker access can be very good. Besides streamer patterns, bring hoppers and present them tight to grassy banks near good covering water.