Hebgen Lake gulpers now have tricos added to their diet. Start a bit earlier in the AM and stay out on the lake until action begins to fade right after mid day. On almost all streams large or small, fish are eagerly seeking terrestrial patterns. Don’t overlook this great way to find action!
Hopper patterns are really attracting fish throughout the river, and look for this to continue for a while. But do not overlook attaching an ant or beetle pattern as a “trailer”. Present this rig as tight to grassy banks as you can get. Presentation is much more important than choice of pattern, but get in touch with us if you need recommendations. Fishing the riffles is tougher now that the PMD emergence peak has passed, but you can still find some action by closely watching riffles. Where you see fish working, stop & give it a try. Also caddis swarms are making for good evening action along the river.
Terrestrial patterns are the way to go anywhere on the river. Even the Last Chance-Harriman reach is not crowded, but if you want to get away from crowds try Bear Gulch or Hatchery Ford. You will also find evening caddis swarms on all these locations. Don’t overlook pitching streamer into deeper water as the sun sets
No change here: fish creek mouths (intermediate lines) and spring holes (full sink lines). Expect some crowding if one of these places is particularly good fishing.
Surface action is slowing on some waters where damselfly adults are diminishing. Speckled duns are holding up, but waters are warming which adds to slower surface action. An exception is to fish hoppers around grassy banks such as along the highway on Springfield Reservoir. So nymphing at intermediate depths will soon be the way to find fish. Midging will always work on all our stillwaters. In particular Island Park Resevoir is down to about 75% of capacity. This means fishing will be best around such as Trude Springs. Blood worm patterns usually produce well there
The best way to fishing success on all meadow reaches of Park streams is to present ant, beetle, and hopper patterns. See the list of streams in our 8/4 report to learn where this applies to. With respect to hoppers, be sure to match color of your pattern to that of the meadow grasses. If you are not fishing Beula Lake you are missing some of the fastest fishing in the Park. You will need a float tube to experience the best of what this lake offers, but shoreline fishing can also be satisfying.
Best on the river remains float fishing below Blackfoot. But If you are willing to fish to after dark in the evening, you can have some action from fish chasing hexes on Gem Lake and on the river just above Idaho Falls.
Hebgen Lake gulpers are going strong! Don’t overlook gulpers on other southwestern Montana lakes. Madison River is fishing very well below Quake Lake: terrestrials, caddis, yellow sallys, some PMDs, you name it.
Terrestrial patterns close to the banks is the best way to fishing success throughout the river these mid summer days. Early in the days and evenings are best times. Also look for some action from evening caddis swarms.
Notice the reduced number of boats on the lake lately? That tells you that action is slowing. Try creek mouths and springs to find action until our days start cooling.