Fishing Report - 8/7/2026
Montana
Flows/Temperatures (as of August 6th, click the name for real-time numbers)
Hebgen Outflow - 1,094 CFS
Kirby - 1,220 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 67.4 °/57° F
Cameron - 1,290 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 67.5°/58° F
Upper Madison
The cooler weather on Monday and Tuesday was truly bliss after weeks of 85° and above on the Madison. A few cold nights really did wonders for the river as a whole, including the fishermen's moods. We do have more heat coming our way, though, with highs in the mid 80s to early 90s for the rest of the weekend, so fishing is bound to slow back down again as water temps rise again.
The mid-morning hatches of Epeorus are still going strong, and the evening fall being the best time to sight (and hopefully catch) those risers. Throughout the day, small terrestrials like ants and beetles have been productive as well. Hoppers have yet to really get going in my experience, but should benefit from this hot weather coming up and become a bit more productive. On the nymphing side of things, small, dark emergers are doing well for me, as well as some of the less obnoxious perdigons. Flows just dropped a few hundred CFS, but those fish are sitting deep regardless, so if you want to nymph, just go for it; this is the time of year where you really just have to choose between an indicator rig or a solo dry fly.
Dry Flies - Hair Wing Dun, Missing Link PMD, Arricks Ant, Bogus Beetle
Nymphs - Sunburst, Crystal Dip, Guide Dip, Loopwing PMD
Hebgen Outflow - 1,094 CFS
Kirby - 1,220 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 67.4 °/57° F
Cameron - 1,290 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 67.5°/58° F
Upper Madison
The cooler weather on Monday and Tuesday was truly bliss after weeks of 85° and above on the Madison. A few cold nights really did wonders for the river as a whole, including the fishermen's moods. We do have more heat coming our way, though, with highs in the mid 80s to early 90s for the rest of the weekend, so fishing is bound to slow back down again as water temps rise again.
The mid-morning hatches of Epeorus are still going strong, and the evening fall being the best time to sight (and hopefully catch) those risers. Throughout the day, small terrestrials like ants and beetles have been productive as well. Hoppers have yet to really get going in my experience, but should benefit from this hot weather coming up and become a bit more productive. On the nymphing side of things, small, dark emergers are doing well for me, as well as some of the less obnoxious perdigons. Flows just dropped a few hundred CFS, but those fish are sitting deep regardless, so if you want to nymph, just go for it; this is the time of year where you really just have to choose between an indicator rig or a solo dry fly.
Dry Flies - Hair Wing Dun, Missing Link PMD, Arricks Ant, Bogus Beetle
Nymphs - Sunburst, Crystal Dip, Guide Dip, Loopwing PMD
Hebgen/Quake Lake
Hebgen has been fishing really well over the last week and has been where I spent most of my free time, honestly. Once the wind dies down in the evening, gulpers have been throughout the lake, especially concentrated around the weed beds in deeper water. Quake is also fishing well, especially if you're fishing streamers, but gulpers can be spotted throughout (usually just out of reach). Leeches are fishing great on both lakes, so I'd reach for those if the wind picks up!
Dry Flies - Purple Chubby Chernobyl, Hackle Stacker, Para Wulff Adams
Nymphs - Turkey Callibaetis, Ice Cream Cone
Streamers - Simi Seal Leech, Hot Bead Leech, Crystal Bugger
Hebgen has been fishing really well over the last week and has been where I spent most of my free time, honestly. Once the wind dies down in the evening, gulpers have been throughout the lake, especially concentrated around the weed beds in deeper water. Quake is also fishing well, especially if you're fishing streamers, but gulpers can be spotted throughout (usually just out of reach). Leeches are fishing great on both lakes, so I'd reach for those if the wind picks up!
Dry Flies - Purple Chubby Chernobyl, Hackle Stacker, Para Wulff Adams
Nymphs - Turkey Callibaetis, Ice Cream Cone
Streamers - Simi Seal Leech, Hot Bead Leech, Crystal Bugger
Yellowstone National Park
All rivers within Yellowstone are on a Hoot Owl Closure (2 pm-Sunrise) until further notice. Plan accordingly!
All rivers within Yellowstone are on a Hoot Owl Closure (2 pm-Sunrise) until further notice. Plan accordingly!
Gallatin - Throwing a terrestrial or a chubby is the way to go on the Gallatin. The colder water of the Gallatin makes it a good choice these days if you're looking to do some morning wading!
Madison, Firehole, Gibbon - The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) have been placed on full closures. This means that all three are closed to fishing with no exceptions. The Madison and its tributaries outside the park before Hebgen Lake are under a Hoot Owl closure (2 pm-midnight) as well. We've been over this guys, even before 2 pm, just fish the Upper Madison or Gallatin if you want better, less lethal fishing.
Yellowstone River - Above the falls, fish are rising for chubbies pretty well, mainly in golden or natural colors. The river is quite busy, though, so once you find a riser, throw the rotation of different flies at it until it eats. Heavier droppers like a stonefly nymph are a good option as well if that's your thing.
Northeast Corner - The Lamar is running at a good level (350 CFS), though it may still be a little colored up from recent storms. I've spotted some good PMD hatches on Slough and Soda Butte, which could lead to some fun days, but the Hoot Owl closures make the drive out from West just not worth it, unfortunately.
Madison, Firehole, Gibbon - The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) have been placed on full closures. This means that all three are closed to fishing with no exceptions. The Madison and its tributaries outside the park before Hebgen Lake are under a Hoot Owl closure (2 pm-midnight) as well. We've been over this guys, even before 2 pm, just fish the Upper Madison or Gallatin if you want better, less lethal fishing.
Yellowstone River - Above the falls, fish are rising for chubbies pretty well, mainly in golden or natural colors. The river is quite busy, though, so once you find a riser, throw the rotation of different flies at it until it eats. Heavier droppers like a stonefly nymph are a good option as well if that's your thing.
Northeast Corner - The Lamar is running at a good level (350 CFS), though it may still be a little colored up from recent storms. I've spotted some good PMD hatches on Slough and Soda Butte, which could lead to some fun days, but the Hoot Owl closures make the drive out from West just not worth it, unfortunately.
Some of the great fish out team has caught this week!
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