Yellowstone Park 8-17-09
Terrestrial patterns are the name of the game on all streams. Look for green drakes coming to Slough Creek soon. On lakes such as Beula, Riddle, Grebe, Cascade and Wolf speckled duns will make for gulpers.
August 2009
Main Stem Snake River 8-17-09
Below Blackfoot the river is at flows good for walk-in fishing as well as float fishing. Terrestrial patterns presented towards shaded banks during daytime will bring action. So will streamers and caddis life cycle patterns during evening hours. Above Blackfoot, float fishing is best, but use the same terrestrial and streamer pattern strategies.
Big Lost River 8-17-09
Flow out of Mackay Dam remains about 450 cfs making wading a bit tricky. But some fish are responding to hopper patterns presented close to banks.
Henry’s Lake 8-17-09
Fish deep (watch for weeds), fish creek mouths and spring holes.
Henry’s Fork 8-17-09
Summer heat has warmed the river such that evenings and mornings make for the best fishing anywhere. Mayflies now play a relatively minor role in trout diets. Expect this to be the case until we begin cooling off near the end of summer. Most reliable exception would be trying terrestrial patterns in front of shaded banks, overhangs, undercuts, etc. Streamers presented in the evening after sunset will be an increasingly effective option several places along the river anywhere big bows and browns reside.
South Fork 8-17-09
The increase in flow out of Palisades Dam by 500 cfs has no negative impact on fish activity. Right now the combination of good light penetration and water temperature is making for some of the best riffle fishing in years all up & down the river. Look for this to remain the same for quite a while unless a big flow increase out of Palisades Dam happens. During daytime on the riffles emerging PMDs and slate cream dun mayflies provide action. Evening PMD spinner falls and caddisfly flights are great events in which to find action. Placing terrestrial and chernobyl patterns around overhead cover (grassy banks, overhanging logs & rocks, undercuts, etc.) is also effective, and when we begin to cool in a few weeks, do the same with streamers. For now be sure to have streamers when you fish during early and late hours. Nymphing with big patterns such as rubberlegs also produces. No big numbers of mutant stoneflies yet, but hopper patterns will do just fine for the big dry fly enthusiast. In short, the South Fork is at the top of its game with a variety of productive strategies. Now is the time to really enjoy this great and beautiful river. If you need information on how to do so, get in touch with us.
South Western Montana 8-14-09
The Madison River from the Slide Inn area downstream is at its best. The river between Quake and Hebgen lakes is good, too. But it is much more crowded than below. On both caddis, PMD life cycle patterms, small nymphs, cranefly patterns, streamers and big nymphs have their time of day. Hebgen, Quake and Ennis lake gulpers are sparse so far.
Yellowstone Park 8-14-09
If you prefer dry flies, terrestrial patterns are the way to go almost everywhere on Park streams. We tend to overlook ant and beetle patterns compared to those of hoppers. But a delicately placed ant or beetle can be very effective along banks and overhangs not in direct light.
Main Stem Snake River 8-14-09
Streamer patterns in the evening are your best bet to find action on the river. Fish transitions and heads of runs and along banks. If you try evening fishing here, be sure to carry caddisfly life cycle patterns as fish are rising to these. During daytime slam hopper and chernobyl patterns against banks as you would do on the South Fork.
Big Lost River 8-14-09
With flows out of Mackay Dam around 450 cfs, wading is still a bit tough. Your best bet for action on the river is above the reservoir. Terrestrial and attractor patterns will be your best bets to find it.