Montana
Upper Madison: Terrestrials continue to be the best way to catch fish when fishing dries. Of the terrestrials, hoppers and ants seem to still be the most consistent producers. Nymphing has been good throughout the day and will still be your best way of catching fish in numbers. Small nymphs and pristine drifts is always key this time of year.
Flies: #10-12 Grand Hopper, #12-14 Thunder Thighs, #16 Arrick’s Ant, #16-18 Red Neck, #16 Olive Biot Czech, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Guide Dip, #16 Green Machine, #16 Black Krystal Dip, #16-18 Black/Green Lightning Bug, #18-20 Zebra Midge
Hebgen Lake: The callibaetis fishing has been tricky on Hebgen. Cold morning temps have been delaying the hatch until early afternoon most days, by which time the wind is usually up. But if you can time it right it has been good. Tricos are still going strong in the Madison Arm and you’ll find plenty of fish working to them. Another effective method for the past few weeks has been fishing a suspended Turkey Callibaetis or unweighted Pheasant Tail 6-10 inches below a dropper or indicator.
Flies: #16 Turkey Callibaetis, #20-22 Trico Calf Wing Spinner, #16 Pheasant Tail, #16 Callibaetis Sparkle Dun
Gallatin: Things have been slowing down the past few days, especially in the mornings. On warmer mornings with nocturnal stones around, try throwing around a smaller chubby dropper combo. Smaller caddis can provide some dry fly opportunities in the afternoon and evening hours. As for nymphing, smaller mayfly and midge patterns have been most consistent, but some days it’s been worth fishing the larger rubber legs again.
* Our special thanks to the crew over at Gallatin River Guides for providing us with the most up-to-date info on the Gallatin.
YNP
NE Corner: Terrestrial and attractor fishing is still very good on Slough, Soda Butte and Lamar. If you head up on a cloudy day you could run into some good Drake Mackerel fishing also. Droppers and smaller streamers are always solid backup options if the going gets a little tough.
Flies: #10-12 Thunder Thighs Hopper, #10-12 Parachute Hopper, #14 Bogus Beetle, #14-16 Arrick’s Ant, #14-18 Royal Trude, #14-18 Parawulff, #14-18 Rusty Spinner, 14 Red Neck, #14 Orange Bullet, #8 Sparkle MInnow
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Tom Forsberg
Author