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July 2009

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / 2009 / July (Page 6)

Yellowstone Park 7-13-09

July 13, 2009
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Yellowstone Park

The Firehole is warming to the point that larger fish are seeking cooler waters in spring fed tribs. These streams are now refuges.  So we leave them alone.  When the river cools later in the season fish return to take advantage of its better living conditions.  Other waters are really shaping up in the Park.  The Madison River drainage is in great shape with PMDs & caddis giving evening action.  PMD spinner falls makes mornings worthy a visit to the river and to tribs such as the Gibbon’s meadow reaches, Duck Creek and Cougar Creek.  The Gallatin River now offers a great chance to try traditional terrestrial patterns such as the Wulff series, goofus bug variations, renegades and adams variations as well as your favorite caddis and sally patterns.  Fall River Basin streams have dropped very quickly to close to base levels.  Big stoneflies are moving through these, and PMDs, green drakes and brown drakes are hatching.  If you have never fished Beula Lake at the head of Fall River Basin, you are missing some of the fastest fishing in the region.  Get in touch with us for details on how to.

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South Fork 7-13-09

July 13, 2009
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South Fork

Big bugs are up as high as Irwin, and with flow out of Palisades down to 13000 cfs the river in Swan Valley is in great shape for fishing.  Bring your favorite dry giant and golden stonefly patterns!  The river is slightly discolored but this does not impact fishing.   Give a bit more time, and it will clear.  PMDs are out along the upper river, and with flows dropping more gravel bars are becoming available.  Big news for the lower river is that it is very tough to take out from the Twin Bridges site because the south channel is small and difficult to see as well as shallow enough to require pulling a drift boat through.  The river has formed a berm near the top of that channel.  But enough water comes up below this berm to allow launching from the Twin Bridges.  On the lower river try such such as rubberlegs and super-x’s.  The best action here can be had in and around springs that enter the river. Try midge pupa under an indicator or PMD life cycle patterns.

A rod inside a rod case has been found on the South Fork.  To identify & claim it, call 589-0385

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South Fork 7-11-09

July 11, 2009
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South Fork

The flow is down another 1000 to 14,600cfs and the water is clearing nicely. About every type of summer bug is out including the big stones, golden stones, yellow sallies, Pale morning duns, and caddis. There are also a good number of Clackacrafts, Hydes, Alumiwelds and other assorted crafts floated down the river along with the bugs. Its a little cozy up there but the good fishing makes up for the crowds.

The big stones are in Swan Valley but I would still use them through the canyon for a week or more. We get asked where the big stones are countless times a day but I think most fish are caught on the smaller stones and sallies.

The good thing about a high and cool water year like we have is that the hatches will be consistent all summer. No slow down in late July and through August because of warm water temps.

We have been fishing Super-X’s and rubber leg nymphs in the mornings and evenings.

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Still Waters 7-10-09

July 10, 2009
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Still Water

Big news here is the damselfly emergence. It’s going on from all our reservoirs, late as it is.   Chesterfield, Daniels, Hawkins, Springfield, Twin Lakes and Twenty-four Mile reservoirs all feature this event that makes for a great chance for a fish of the year.   Look to fish the coves, submerged weed beds and shallows. Your favorite pattern on an intermediate line will do nicely.  Midging is still effective on some of these including Springfield, but when fish begin sipping dry damselflies, most everyone changes over to fishing the surface.

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South Western Montana 7-10-09

July 10, 2009
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South Western Montana

Big event here is the giant/golden stonefly event on the Madison River.  They are into the “wade only” section and moving upstream.  Yellow Sallies, PMDs and caddis also provide action up and down the river.  We also hear that there are a few flavs coming out.  If you want crowded fishing try the river between Hebgen and Quake lakes. The stonefly adults will be flying there soon and will bring in even more anglers.  Midging continues to be the best tehnique for taking fish on Hebgen Lake.  All you need to do is find the taking depth.  Some of the smaller streams are really shaping up. This includes Grayling Creek north of West Yellowstone where the fish run to surprising sizes.  Any dry attractor pattern will do the trick there.

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Yellowstone Park 7-10-09

July 10, 2009
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Yellowstone Park

Except for some streams in the northeast corner, waters have really shaped up. The Firehole is beginning to warm up, so the days of action there are numbered.  Elsewhere, the Gallatin River in the Park is clearing, and golden stones are making an appearance.  Caddisflies are always there.  Don’t forget dry attractor patterns if you try it.  Fall River Basin streams are a bit high, but clear. They have dropped very quickly, so fishing while good will improve with time.   Major mayfly emergences there are getting started including brown and green drakes and PMDs. The gray drake emergence is about done there.  Beula Lake offers the fastest fishing in the basin and perhaps in the entire Park.  Riddle Lake would also be a good choice with fishing off the northwest shore being a good option.  All you need is waders to get out a bit with a floating or intermediate line and dry damsel patterns or small leech patterns.  Action can still be had around submerged Shoshone Lake and Lewis Lake weed beds.  All you need is a float tube, full sink line and small scud and leach patterns.  If you don’t have insulated waders you will not last long out on those lakes.

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Small Streams 7-10-09

July 10, 2009
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Small Streams

Just about all are in good shape now.  The choice is almost endless, so contact us for best recommendations.   But to be sure, caddis, yellow sally, and attractor patterns in small and medium sizes will produce on almost all.  There are some exceptions with which we can help.    So get in touch!

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Big Lost River 7-10-09

July 10, 2009
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Big Lost River

Flow out of Mackay Dam is just under 600 cfs. If you are a strong wader, there is some fishing in the river here. Try wooly bugger and San Juan worm patterns.

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South Fork 7-10-09

July 10, 2009
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South Fork

Flow out of Palisades Dam continues to decrease. It was stepped down to 15600 cfs this AM, and it looks like further decreases may be in the works.  Although the river remains a bit colored, fish are responding quite well.  The big stonefly event is in the canyon, so the best way to encounter it is to float from Conant Valley downstream.  Try big nymphs as well as dry patterns, and remember presentation is more important than having a particular dry or wet pattern.  Yellow sally patterns continue to produce good responses from trout up & down the river.   PMD’s are now coming out big time.  With the river still higher than normal the best strategy for fishing PMDs is try life cycle patterns close to banks and at the shallower areas such as below islands or over visible gravel bars.

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