Southwest Montana, September 2nd, 2023

The gulper hatch and subsequent trout activity has been down compared to that in past years, but a few speckled duns are active on Hebgen Reservoir’s Madison Arm. But you have to search a bit to find where. Flying ants are becoming somewhat numerous and spruce moths have declined on the Madison and Gallatin rivers. With a stormy weekend in the works, it will be time to try streamer patterns just about everywhere. Lake trout will soon become active in Elk Lake, so if you venture there have big streamer patterns and a fast sinking line. In Centennial Valley creeks, cutthroat trout and grayling will begin moving back into the Red Rock Lakes as fall begins it approach.