Fishing Reports Archives - Page 36 of 231

Yellowstone Park, October 3rd, 2023

October 3, 2023

Lewis River Channel: Host of an Unmatched Brown Trout Migration

The most numerous brown trout spawning run in this area is beginning between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes. Browns from both lakes concentrate here this time of year in the river just below Shoshone Lake making an impressive presence. Most anglers motor across Lewis Lake, leave their boats at the north end of the lake, then walk up the river to present streamer and large woolly bugger patterns. The aggressive browns present range upwards in size to near 30 inches. However increased bank side angler traffic along the river reduces fish activity by mid day. Thus the most effective way to enjoy this event is to camp at the Shoshone Lake outlet campground and fish early in the day before anglers arrive from boating to the river, then return to the river during evening after boating anglers have departed. Before doing this adventure it is wise to determine weather conditions as unsettled weather is frequent this time of year in Yellowstone Park. With thorough planning, this visit to enjoy numerous large brown trout can be unforgettable.

Southwestern Montana, October 3rd, 2023

October 3, 2023

Fishing Reports, South Western Montana

Let’s give Beaverhead and Big Hole browns a break for the rest of the year

It is a fact that the brown trout population in the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers has been in decline recently. Reasons for these unhappy circumstances is being studied by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) personnel. For the remainder of this year the Beaverhead is closed by FWP to fishing from Clark Canyon Dam down to Pipe Organ to minimize interference with the brown trout spawning run. The River below remains open. For the same reason the lower Big Hole River is also closed by FWP while the river above remains open to fishing.

Main Stem Snake River, September 30th, 2023

September 30, 2023

Fishing Reports, Main Stem Snake River

Flow in the entire river from the Henry’s Fork confluence downstream is near seasonal normal and will drop further. With aggressive brown trout migrating to spawning areas and the river being close by a visit is quite convenient if you enjoy fishing streamers during this activity. Doing so at icon locations such as the Green, Madison, Missouri and Beaverhead Rivers and rivers within Yellowstone Park can require considerable travel whereas locations on the Main Stem can be minutes away whether you are boating or wading. With decreasing daylight hours and increased chances for unsettled weather this time of the year, lesser travel time to it can be attractive. So consider trying this river for fall-run browns, and visit Fly Fish Food-Jimmy’s for “where, when and how” information.

Henry’s Fork, September 30th, 2023

September 30, 2023

Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Popular Lower River Boat Launch Facility

There have been no deep killing frosts yet with low early morning temperatures typically hovering in the low to high twenties in degrees F. until mid day warming happens Fewer daylight hours and cool nighttime air temps help break up aquatic weeds throughout the river this time of the season. Drifting mats can interfere with both wet and dry fly fishing, so stay alert for these coming through the water you are fishing. Unsettled weather the next few days will enhance BWO and mahogany dun activity, so keep their life cycle patterns in that fly box. The same weather will enhance pitching streamer patterns into good holding water, especially with the slightly lower than normal flows in the entire river. Remember that proper placement of these overrides pattern choice. An alternative to these, are trying double nymph rigs in such locations as Box Canyon and throughout the lower river.

Yellowstone Park, September 30th, 2023

September 30, 2023

Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

All entry gates could be closed if no solution to the government shutdown happens by midnight. Follow this possibility by going to the Yellowstone National Park web site. If Park entry is allowed, the Firehole River will be offering the best top water fishing through using BWO life cycle and white miller patterns with soft hackled versions of these being most effective. With the Park staying open, crowds of fly fishers will continue to chase migrating brown and rainbow trout throughout the Madison River drainage. But the Park’s most numerous brown trout migration will become attractive soon. We will provide information on this event during the next few weeks.

South Fork, September 30th, 2023

September 30, 2023

Fishing Reports, South Fork

Flow was reduced a few days ago to about 5000 cfs at Irwin ( now about 5600 cfs at Heise, and 2500 cfs at Lorenzo). Reduced flow is great news for walk-in wade fishing but making it a bit tougher for navigating boats. Look for more flow reductions coming up in October. Unsettled weather for the next few days will enhance BWO and mahogany dun activity but reduce terrestrial insect activity. Streamer pattern enthusiasts will have much good time for presenting such throughout the next few days.

Henry’s Lake, September 30th, 2023

September 30, 2023

Fishing Reports, Henry's Lake

YUCK!

The bad news here may be temporary, but it is important. The blue-green algae bloom is extensive enough here for the Idaho Health and Welfare Department to issue a warning that suggests keeping pets and livestock away from lake water and that all visitors wash hands and equipment with clean water before leaving. For those folks harvesting fish, dispose of their organs and skin before any culinary uses.

The good news is that the upcoming stormy weather will help bring on the great fall fishing for which the lake is famed. October is usually the best month for fishing here.

Small Streams, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023

Fishing Reports, Small Streams

So many of our small streams are overlooked because of being adjacent to icon water. Lower Rainey Creek is a good example because of the nearby South Fork. Access is along US Highway 26 at the lower part of Swan Valley. Two pull-outs overlooking the creek provide easy access after walking down a short slope. When these pull-out are not occupied by a parked vehicle, it is time to stop to observe any rising fish in the creek below. If this is the case, descend the slope downward with much stealth to not disturb rising trout. This part of the creek hosts a large portion of cool, clear water coming from private property springs above. Trout, mostly cutthroat, move in from the river to these quality conditions. The same mayfly species, currently BWOs, mahogany duns, diminishing pink alberts are here as well as terrestrial insects.

Southwest Montana, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023

Fishing Reports, South Western Montana

The Madison River is in good fishing shape anywhere. Most attending fly fishers are on the stretch between Hebgen and Quake Lakes. That is because of easy access and brown trout moving in from Quake Lake. From the US Highway 191 bridge down to the Madison Arm of Hebgen is becoming crowded because of brown and rainbow trout migrating up the river into Yellowstone Park. That part of the river attracts spinning rods anglers and under specific conditions a single trout bag limit applies. Below Quake Lake terrestrial insects and left over caddis provide top water action during mid day hours after warming occurs. Those activities will diminish as unsettled weather is forecast for the upcoming weekend. During that period, BWO life cycle and streamer patterns will become better choices to occupy that fly box.

Henry’s Fork, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023

Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

It has not been cold enough to kill all the hoppers, honey ants and beetles. They are active along the entire river from St. Anthony upstream to the Flat Ranch. Wait until the mid-day sun warms things enough for them to become active. This activity could diminish this weekend as unsettled weather is expected. However such weather could enhance mahogany dun and BWO activity and make pitching streamers more effective . A few trico spinners are around in mornings.

Here are headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage water status report filed yesterday, September 25th.

Last week was cool and very wet, boosting water-year precipitation to 111% of average with just 6 days left in the water year.
Cool, wet weather is expected to kick off the new water.
Diversion and natural flow both dropped over the weekend after heavy precipitation on Thursday and Friday.
At an average outflow of 466 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 151 ac-ft/day over the past three days and is 64.9% full, compared with 45.9% on average.
Water-quality data indicate decreased aquatic productivity watershed-wide as the growing season wanes.

Chester Dam

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Fishing Reports

Yellowstone Park, October 3rd, 2023

Southwestern Montana, October 3rd, 2023

Main Stem Snake River, September 30th, 2023

Henry’s Fork, September 30th, 2023

Yellowstone Park, September 30th, 2023

South Fork, September 30th, 2023

Henry’s Lake, September 30th, 2023

Small Streams, September 26th, 2023

Southwest Montana, September 26th, 2023

Henry’s Fork, September 26th, 2023

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