On all waters cloudy skies with high relative humidity make for the best mid-day fishing this time of year. On meadow streams a repeating theme applies: given bright atmosphere conditions mid-day fishing is not as successful as early in the day or evening fishing. Patterns for spinner falls and terrestrial insects can be most effective during these times of day, and as we advance through fall months streamer patterns become important in attracting larger trout.
The best small stream destinations this time of year are those with either lakes at their upper reaches ( Palisades Creek, Medicine Lodge Creek, Cascade Creek, Modoc Creek, etc. ) or a good inflow from springs (Big Elk Creek, Warm River, Bear Creek, Birch Creek, Bitch Creek, Teton River, and Diamond Creek). In all of these some of the best water to target is where riffles drop into holes or runs. This is the case because trout sitting in this interface have first crack at any edible life form drifting in, can make a quick escape to deep water, and can make more efficient contact with dissolve oxygen from moving rather than still water. Currently terrestrial insect and caddis life cycle patterns are likely the best to use in these waters.
Most fly fishing aspects are holding steady. Flow out of Palisades Dam has not changed significantly in several days. Riffle fishing remains great with pink alberts providing much action. River flow must drop to expose more substrate before significant mutant or midnight golden stones emerge in numbers that will attract fish. During mid-day boat traffic can be thick, so consider an evening float in such as Huskey’s to Spring Creek, or Spring Creek to Conant, etc.
CLOSURE
Access to the Gallatin River from US Highway 191 is closed from Fawn Pass Trail Head north to Milepost 27 because of the Bacon Rind fire.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been constant at 11100 cfs for several days. Pink alberts are making a strong showing in riffles. Fishing success there requires changing flies frequently as the fish are ” closed lipped” about which life cycle form they are keying on at a given time. Best terrestrial insect pattern fishing seems to be on the lower river. Look for “midnight golden stones” to emerge in numbers important for trout attention only after flow out of the dam is reduced enough to expose a lot more substrate.
Presenting terrestrial insect patterns is fruitful in the AM or PM whether you fish the upper or lower river. Other than that, the upper river (Last Chance-Harriman, Coffee Pot-Tubs (watch out for recreational boaters) has AM and PM spinner falls. Be also on the lookout for recreational boaters in Box Canyon where nymphing and presenting caddis life cycle patters in the evening brings good results. Cardiac Canyon is nearly deserted by anglers, so consider taking those terrestrial insect patterns to such as the Hatchery Ford and Bear Gulch accesses.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been stable for several days at around 11400 cfs. Riffle fishing provides good times with PMDs and pink alberts providing the action for those folks presenting life cycle patterns of each. Remembering that boat traffic is down early in the day, nymphing the riffles is a great approach whether you fish from a boat or wade. The same applies to evenings when most boats are gone and caddis life cycle patterns and well-placed streamers bring action. Grasshoppers are numerous, so vegetated banks can be targeted with patterns for these.
It’s time to begin looking for the famed Big Elk Creek flav hatch. Until then (and during) terrestrial insect patterns provide a great way to enjoy the excellent cutthroat trout population of this stream. The same thoughts for terrestrial insect patterns applies to all the South Fork-Palisades Reservoir tribs, and the Salt River tribs, as well. None of these streams, however, can match the Big Elk Creek flav hatch.
Consistent and somewhat higher that normal flows in Fall River Basin streams ( Bechler and Fall Rivers, Boundary, Mountain Ash and Proposition Creeks) means that good fishing should result here for the rest of the Yellowstone Park fishing season. Other than AM trico activity (seems to turn off, like on command, just about noon), some speckled duns and later a few mahoganies blown in from faster waster below are what remains of the extensive late June-early July mayfly activity. Now until killing frosts arrive, is the time to concentrate on presenting terrestrial insect patterns. Doing so will seem obvious to the fly-fisher that ventures through meadows to reach water. Presenting these patterns in the proper manner is more important than pattern selection. That means presenting to the far bank or downstream, both through a slow drift. For sure, you will not experience crowding and early season mosquitoes swarms are much diminished. Deer and horseflies, however, reign supreme, so dress accordingly.
The best and most consistent fishing in the Last Chance-Harriman section of the river is through presenting terrestrial insect patterns. The big mayfly hatches are gone for the year although speckled duns and smaller PMDs are present. Rusty spinner patterns will work early and late in the day, but when flying ants arrive in good numbers fish will notice, and some of the best summertime fishing arrives. For the warming lower river use rusty spinner patterns in the AM, and terrestrial insect and caddis life cycle and streamer patterns in the evening.