Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 7/13
Montana
Upper Madison: Smokey and hot out there, but thankfully cooler overnight temps have helped keep the water temperature down. Keep an eye on the gauges or have a stream thermometer with you, because the water has been creeping up towards 68 degrees in the afternoons. Look for caddis, PMD’s, Yellow sallies, and a few Green Drakes. Not too early to start tossing around some terrestrial patterns either as hoppers, ants, and beetles have had a few fish looking up. Nymph fishing remains strong with a two fly rig and some split shot to get you in the zone.
Flies: #10-14 Chubby Chernobyl, #16 Tan Chili Dog, #14-16 X Caddis, #16 Peacock Caddis, #16 PMD Cripple, #16 Larimers Yellow Sally, #16 Nyman’s Flying Ant, #10-12 Morrish Hopper, #16 Frenchie, #14-16 Redneck, #16-18 Black Krystal Dip, #16-18 Hares Ear
Hebgen: Callibaetis hatches are starting to get going and gulper fishing isn’t too far out. Look for bugs in the more weedy, shallow areas of the lake. There’s still a few chironomids hanging around as well, so be prepared with a couple patterns of each. If you aren’t getting them on top, try hanging a Turkey Callibaetis or a pheasant tail 14-16” under your dry fly. Try stripping a leech or wooly bugger if nothing is happening on the surface.
Flies: #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #12 O.S Opal Buzzer, #16 Pheasant Tail, #14 Olive/Red Nugget, #8 Olive or Black Simi Seal Leech, #8 Olive or Black Hot Bead Goat Leech, #8 Thin Mint, #6 Black/Olive Flash Bugger
YNP
Gallatin: Not much has changed here since last week. Look for Caddis, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, maybe a couple Spruce Moths too. Your favorite attractor dry pattern should find a couple fish if nothing is coming off. Fishing seems to be better in the mornings, kind of dies off mid-day, and should pick back up in the evenings. Biting flies have been pretty bad, make sure to bring some bug spray.
Flies: #14-16 Parachute Adams, #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #14-16 Brown Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Hazy Cripple, #12-16 Tan Chubby Chernobyl, #14-16 Royal Stimulator, #14 Lime Trude #14 Tan Spruce Moth
NE Corner: The Lamar, Soda Butte, and Slough Creek are all solid options right now. Caddis and PMD’s are on the menu here, along with a couple Green Drakes. Hoppers, Ants, and Beetles should get a few fish to come up if nothing is rising. Putting a heavy nymph underneath a big dry fly is a safe bet as well. Be sure to check the weather forecast and the Lamar gauge before heading over here, as rainstorms can cause the Lamar to blow out quickly
Flies: #16 PMD D.O.A Cripple, #16 X Caddis, #14-16 Royal Wulff, #16 Arricks Ant, #12-16 Chubby Chernobyl, #10-14 Pink Thunder Thighs, #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Redneck
Yellowstone: The Yellowstone above the falls opens this Thursday, the 15th. Flows out of the lake are slowly dropping, and it should be a good opener. Expect to see some other anglers, and lots of bug activity. PMD’s, Caddis, Drakes, and maybe even some stoneflies should be out in force.
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Nick Toller
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