Henry’s Lake 7-10-09
Damselfly nymphs are swimming, but fish have yet to get on them big time. This makes for spotty fishing, but look for improvements any day now.
July 2009
Yellowstone Park 7-10-09
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.
Small Streams 7-10-09
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!
Big Lost River 7-10-09
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.
South Fork 7-10-09
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.
Henry’s Fork 7-10-09
Big event on the upper river remains the evening brown drake emergence. You will find them almost anywhere on the river within the State Park, but some areas are better than others. The river at the end of Wood Road 16 is a prime location. It can get crowded near, but there is room to spread out, especially upstream. Flavs are coming on, too. On the lower river gray drakes remain in good supply, particularly below Chester Dam. Above the Dam they are there but decreasing. Flavs, PMDs and caddis are also present and afternoons are best for fishing their imitations. Look for PMD spinner falls in the morning. Anywhere on the river don’t overlook presenting beetle and ant patterns especially near shorelines. As our mayfly and stonefly hatches decrease terrestrial insects will become increasingly important food items for trout.
South Fork 7-8-09
The flow out of the Palisades has dropped to 16,000cfs which is what we were hoping for. The inflow into Palisades is also dropping rapidly so we should see continued drops in the flows out of the dam. The riffles will now start to form again and the fish will move in against the banks instead of finding them up in the grass of the submerged islands.
There are great hatches of yellow sallie and golden stoneflies as well as pale morning dun mayflies. The big stones are in the lower canyon. The water is still off color and won’t completely clear for some time but the dry fly fishing won’t be affected by it. If anything the fish will be less spooky.
In the mornings before the the bugs start flying use rubber legs and Super-X’s. Streamers are a good choice too. When it warms up go to the dries.
South Fork 7-08-09
Things have really started to turn around on the South Fork. With the flows continuing to drop the fish are really starting to key in on dry flies. The Salmon flies are moving through the canyon and fish are rising to them on the surface. Yellow Sallie patterns, and Pale Morning Duns are also producing fish on the surface.As the water continues to drop look for the fish to start moving into the riffles. Afternoon Mayfly hatches will be really productive.
If you plan to float the canyon remember to follow the new guidelines for camping down there. I saw the Sheriff and the Forest Service Officer this week checking people, and writing tickets for not obeing the new regulations. The water is still high and there is a lot of “tricky” corners, and spots on the river. Use common sense, and please be alert while at the oars. Its easy to forget about the water flows when the fishing starts getting good, but make sure you are watching where you row your boat! Although the water is dropping there are still a lot of logs and debris to look out for. Use caution while fishing these next couple weeks. As always if you have questions please call the shop and we will be happy to help you out!
Yellowstone Park 7-07-09
Really shaping up here! Streams in the northeast corner have a way to go, though. Slough Creek is high and clearing and offers the best fishing in that corner of the Park. Look for evening brown drakes to offer its best fishing. The Lewis River drainage still features great fishing on Lewis and Shoshone lakes if you can get out to submerged weed beds and offer small scud and leech patterns. Use a full sink line to do it. And be sure to have insulated waders or plenty of fleece under those breathables or light weights. Madison River drainage streams are fishing well with several different mayfly species emerging along with caddisflies, yellow sallys and a remnant of golden stones. Look for damselfly nymphs patterns to bring action on slower reaches of all these streams. Fall River Basin streams are a week or so away from great dry fly fishing, and Beula Lake still offers some of the fastest fishing in the entire Park. Pack a float tube into it for the best fishing with damselfly nymph, scud and small leech patterns. Don’t know how to get there? get in touch with us.
Henry’s Lake 7-07-09
Damselfly emergence is on-going. Head for the spring holes surrounded by vegetataion in not so deep water. Some of the best locations are along the west and southwest shoreline or near creek inlets. An intermediate line will do. So will your favorite damselfly nymph imitations. Best times will be when the wind is not blowing a gale.