Small Streams 8/8
Terrestrial patterns are producing on all our small streams. Hopper, beetle and ant patterns will bring action anywhere. Come in and visit with us to help decide which of these waters may be best for you to visit.
August 2008
South Fork 8/11
The riffles are getting tougher for action as fish there are getting very selective. This applies all up and down the river. Consider that the riffles have been “hammered” for weeks. These days the best way to find action is by pitching hoppers tight to the banks. This also applies up and down the river.
South Fork 8/8
Tight to the banks with your hopper and ant patterns! that’s as good a way as any to find success these days. We are past the PMD peak, but action can still be had on the riffles. The river above Heise seems to be fishing best for all the ways we mention here.
We had some electronic action when we asked a few days ago about knowing what a “stiffie” is. When we revealed that “stiffie” is a local term for the rocky mountain whitefish, responses ranged all the way from “eat ’em” to “love ’em”.
Incidentally that was a typo in the IFPR the on Monday, 8/4. The flow out of Palisades Dam never did spike up to 20000 cfs. It has stayed around 12900-13000 for several weeks.
Henry’s Fork 8/8
It’s the “Dog Days” of August, so things are slowing down throughout the river. A few small PMDs and some speckled duns are on the water as well as caddis. Terrestrial patterns bring the best chance for action with mornings and evening being the best times on the river.
Yellowstone Park 8/4
Terrestrial insects are coming on strong and should be your primary patterns on streams. Also think thundershowers and more humidity in the atmosphere! These bright, dry days relegates the best fishing success to late in the day. Partly cloudy conditions act as overhead cover, and with that fishing improves. With these conditions the list of great streams will include names such as the Gallatin, Soda Butte, Slough, Bechler, Boundary, Fall, Mountain Ash, Lamar, Gibbon, Madison, Gardner, Lava, etc. With respect to still waters, Beula remains at the top of the list with gulpers working big time.
South Fork 8/4
Tim Woodard is a premier South Fork guide. We picked Tim’s fishing brain for some thoughts on what brings mid summer South Fork fly-fishing success. Hoppers are beginning to produce fish on the lower river and in the canyon. Parahoppers and Rainey’s hopper seem to work well. Fish ’em & foam ants tight into the bank. Expect refusals, and realize that inches in placing these flies with a drag free drift can make a difference in whether it is taken. Riffle fishing is still good, but getting tougher as fish are getting picky. Change patterns frequently and concentrate on rising fish during daytime. Nymph (rubberlegs or beadheads) tight into the banks in the early AM and in the late afternoon when the fishing slows. Fishing tight into banks gets you trout; about a foot or so away, you get into more “stiffies” (email us if you don’t know what a “stiffie” is, but any long-time South Fork fly-fisher knows what a “stiffie” is!). Tim also suggests not overlooking the numerous small channels along the South Fork. They don’t see drift boat traffic like the main river, so get out and wade ’em.
Henry’s Fork 8/4
We are in the dog days, and action is slowing a bit. But terrestrials are saving the day. Fish ’em tight to the banks and as drift-free as possible. This applies up and down the river. We all think “hoppers” this time of year, but think also ants, beetles, crickets, etc.
Henry’s Lake 8/4
No big change: concentrate on creek mouths and spring holes. Not sure where these are? Look for a concentration of boats. Successful Henry’s Lake anglers like to stick together!
Henry’s Fork 7/31
Stick to early AMs for action from rusty spinner falls and nymphs. do those “honey-dos” during mid day. Come back in the evenings to enjoy action from caddis and nymphs again. An exception would be to present hopper tight towards the banks and cover during daytime.
Henry’s Fork 7/28
Action is slowing down just about everywhere along the river as we enter the summer dog days. But don’t let this stop you from trying a hopper or other terrestrial pattern. The evening caddis emergence makes for evening action, and rusty spinners provide the same early in the day Also look for speckled duns to become important on the Last Chance-Harriman stretch.