South Fork, August 8th, 2024
Mutant golden stones are out. Combined with PMDs, caddis and terrestrial insects top water fishing is as good as it gets. Water conditions could not be better, now is the time to be out!
Flies to fish:
Fishing Reports
Small Streams, August 8th, 2024
Afternoon western green drake emergence makes Big Elk Creek worth a try. Kokanee are staging in Elk Creek bay. On almost all other small streams terrestrial insect and traditional dry patterns (think renegades, humpys, Wulffs) are working after mid-morning with caddis coming on during afternoons. Some small streams ( i.e. Teton and Blackfoot Rivers) will have trico emergences.
Flies to fish:
Southwest Montana, August 8th, 2024
Thunder showers slow gulper activity on Hebgen Lake. Try damsel fly nymphs around weed beds in sheltered bays along the south side of the lake any time of the day. As terrestrial insect populations grow inlet area of Quake Lake can offer good fishing until wind comes up. Spruce moths should show up any day.
Flies to fish:
Stillwaters, August 8th, 2024
Many area still waters have been stocked with rainbow trout by IDF&G. Go to their web site to see those included in the Upper Snake and Southeast Idaho Regions.
Henry’s Fork, August 8th, 2024
Tricos are appearing up and down the river. Fish for responding trout from 8AM to Noon which best time for having less stress for those caught, played, then released. The worst time for trout reacting to these actions is 4 PM to dark. In between these two periods, presenting ant and hopper patterns can bring action.
Flies to fish:
Southwest Montana, August 3rd, 2024
Thunder showers have slowed morning gulper fishing on Hebgen Lake, but storm free days are ahead and gulpers will pickup again. Ants, beetles and hoppers have made afternoon fishing good on the Gallatin and Madison Rivers. No significant spruce moths appearances on either of these streams (and the West Fork of the Madison) to date. Hoot Owl restrictions still apply to many streams. Check on fwp.mt.gov to see where.
Centennial Valley streams have flows considerable below normal making fishing success a bit difficult.
South Fork, August 3rd, 2024
Crowded Conant Access
Palisades Reservoir is at 82% of capacity, and downstream irrigation demands have peaked. This means static flows in the river below, but there could mean occasional, but temporary increases. Paving is finished at the dam, but ongoing from Husky’s to Palisades Creek. Expect delays. Giant stoneflies are gone, but the mayfly season is ongoing ( it’s always PM caddis season on the river). Mutant golden stones are beginning to appear. Stream side terrestrial insects are becoming abundant, so all these actions means great top water fishing. Week days see less angler and recreationist traffic on the river thanon weekends.
Yellowstone Park, August 3rd, 2024
Beware!
It is berry season in much of the Park. Huckleberries and low bush blueberries are the major ones that mature. These are located in well forested areas, and their sweet aromas flow through the forests. Well forested sections of all Fall River Basin streams, stretches of Slough Creek, Gallatin, Gibbon, and Madison Rivers have these in abundance. The temptation to harvest some is hard to resist, but is illegal to do so. The aromas signal to bears, black and grizzly, that is time to forage, thus patches of these can be hazardous to approach or pass through because bears have been known to defend such.
Small Streams, August 3rd, 2024
Big Elk Creek
Big Elk Creek will soon host its afternoon western green drake emergence that attracts trout to forage without hesitation. With trout also responding to terrestrial insects big time, Big Elk becomes one of the best in the area to offer great top water fly fishing. Get above the cascade-like stretch to enjoy the best water for this event. This emergence happens to a lesser extent on all South Fork-Palisades Reservoir tributaries and peaks on all waters close to mid August. Any pattern that resembles a western green drake will do!
Henry’s Fork, August 3rd, 2024
From 8 AM to mid day is the best time to fish anywhere on the river because water temperatures will be at their coolest.This goes well for the upcoming trico emergence which happens during mornings. Because water temperatures are highest then fishing from 4 PM on into evening is when water temperatures are at levels around those that are stressful to fish caught and played. Smoky air is like a blanket and means land and water cannot radiate heat off as quickly as can clean air. Therefore streams such as the Henry’s Fork hold daytime high temperatures longer. Strong winds can clear the air, but at the same time can limit aquatic insect emergence.
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