Montana
Hebgen: Reports of gulpers have become more consistent in the last week. Look for tricos in the Madison Arm early, transitioning to callibaetis starting around 11am most days. Fish have been a little tough some days with a fair amount of “one and done” risers. If you’re finding rising fish but struggling to get them to eat something natural, you can always try un-matching the hatch with a damselfly or ant. Suspending a Turkey Callibaetis or pheasant tail under an indicator has also been effective on those tougher mornings.
Flies: #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Parachute Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Cripple, #16 Callibaetis Spinner, #20 Calf Wing Trico Spinner, #16-18 Arrick's Ant
Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 884.6 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1006.7 cfs
Kirby Flows: 1110 cfs
** Flows as of 12 pm Sept. 4, 2022
Upper Madison: Not much has changed on the Upper Madison since last weeks report. The Hopper bite has been consistent. Fishing an ant behind a hopper can catch some fish. While a perdigon dropper has been on some days and off others (meaning some days the fish eat the hopper better without a dropper and other days they don’t) The nymph bite has been pretty consistent with smaller flies, a good drift will be the key to hooking fish.
Flies: #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #8-12 Tan, Pink and Yellow Thunder Thighs, #16-18 Arrick’s Ant, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawullf, #16-18 Krystal Dip, #14-16 Green Machine, #14-18 Red Neck, #16 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon, #14 HoloPoint, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Olive S.H. Hare’s Ear, #16 Shop Vac
YNP
Gallatin: Like the Madison, terrestrials and attractors are still pretty much the name of the game on the Gallatin. Prospecting new water here has been most successful with a tungsten headed dropper off the back of a foam fly. The Gallatin has been better fishing in the afternoon, so if you want a full day of fishing go hit the Madison or Gibbon in the park before they get too hot to fish in the afternoon, then make your way to the Gallatin for an evening bite.
Flies: #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #12-14 And and Orange Spruce Moth, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawullf, #12-14 Lime Trude
Water Temps on the Firehole are still too hot for ethical fishing. While the Madison off enough for morning fishing, with its’ temperatures still rising above the mid 60s to low 70s in the afternoon. The Gibbon has cooled off enough to be fished throughout the day.
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Peter Greubel
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