Blue Ribbon Flies
Fishing Report

 

 

October13, 2009 Fishing Report Craig Mathews


The Madison River in the Park continues to fish very well. Daily a fresh batch of run-up fish from Hebgen seem to show in the lower river, below Baker's Hole Campground. Many locals feel these fish hang out for a day or two and then head upstream as far as 7 Mile Bridge and even 9 Mile Hole. Wherever they go, and when, the fact remains that the river is packed full of pre-spawning trout now, from stem to stern! Big yellow streamers like Madonnas and soft hackle yellows are working very well on browns. Olive and black patterns like woohead sculpins and wooly buggers work well on the larger rainbows up from the lake. On snowy days, which there have been a few this past week, look for the fish to feed on emerging Baetis mayflies from noon to 4 or 5pm. Big rubber leg stone nymphs trailing PT Soft Hackles are producing well too. It is recommended you stop in the shop early and grab a cup of coffee and check with us and all those anglers hanging around the coffee machine each morning who spent time on the rivers the day before to find what is working best and on which stretch of river as it changes daily.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has seen Baetis emergences daily, always strongest on snowy days, for noon to 5pm. Our #20-22 Baetis Cripples have worked very well during hatch times on those big rising trout! Best areas have been around Raynolds and $3.00 Bridge. Nymphing anglers working $3.00 Dips in crystal and brown along with Micro Madison Baetis Nymphs are doing great too. Sleeper nymph is a lime green $3.00 Dip; sure, you'll take a few trophy white fish but also some very large rainbows now too. Another hint is to keep Zelon Midges and Baetis Knocked Down Duns close at hand when you come upon fish which refuse your other Baetis patterns. Not only are some fish strictly on midges, some larger trout become very finicky this time of the year and will only feed on knocked down duns. The little knocked down duns we tie are deadly here and on the Henry's Fork too. Speaking of the Henry's Fork, it's been good to below Ashton, Idaho during Baetis times. The fish are big and they come up to Baetis best on overcast, rainy, snowy days as is always the case when the tiny Baetis emerge.

The Firehole River has been awesome for some anglers who do what the river tells them! Swinging soft hackles will always produce in the riffles, but the dry fly fishing requires attention. Trout might rise to Baetis, midges and/or a few caddis flies this time of the year. Spend time observing and studying riseforms to determine what insect and at what stage they are working. So often the larger trout on this river rise only to emergers or stillborn-cripple stages of the insects. #22 Knocked Down Baetis Duns and cripples are great, as are Baetis Soft Hackle Emergers.

The Gallatin is fishing very well below Big Sky during Baetis times, noon to 4pm. #20 Baetis Cripples will work during the emergence. During non-hatch times try large black stone nymphs and trail a #16 red Dip behind.

The Yellowstone below Gardiner, Montana is fishing very well with streamers like Platte River Specials and Bow River Buggers. Be on the alert daily after noon for Baetis to come on and bring a rise of trout to them. The Gardner River is great now too. I still like the lower water below the 45th Parallel Bridge using Prince Nymphs or olive rubber leg stones.

September 1, 2009 Fishing Report Craig Mathews

The forecast through this weekend calls for warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine in the Madison Valley, perfect conditions for The Madison River Foundation's Fly Fishing Festival in Ennis. We'll be putting on a presentation for the foundation on Friday, Sept 4th at 3pm with lots of great photos, secret fishing spots and more! Hope you can make it to the festival and support this fine foundation which is doing so much to protect the river and its valley.

We've got the largest mayflies of the season coming off now, along with the smallest. Caddis flies are emerging and hoppers are clicking their mating call all along area rivers and streams. Midges are bringing on very good morning dry fly action and area lakes still highlight the action with some large trout being taken.

Henry's Lake is beginning to fish well again after some late summer doldrums the past few weeks. Very large hybrids and cutts are coming to scuds, PTs, and Hal Bop Leeches. The action picks up weekly from now until the end of October so if your plans call for catching big trout then spend some time on this lake.

Hebgen Lake continues to fish well. Callibaetis mayflies are coming off and will continue over the next 3-5 weeks, furnishing some of the most challenging and rewarding dry fly action of the summer. At times the emergence of the Speckled Spinner is too heavy and your fly experiences too much competition from naturals to be taken. This might occur around 11am when literally hundreds of Callibaetis spinners can be seen on the surface in an area the size of a 16' Whaler. When this happens you may have to change from spinner to dun or nymphs like beadheaded or unweighted Callibaetis. Or, you may want to try an ant pattern. This won't last for long though as the spinners are eaten off the surface and the fish begin looking for spinners like the Deer Hair or foam C Baetis spinners. Get on the water by 9am as fish rising early are much easier to fool. The Madison and Grayling Arms continue to be best bets. If mostly nymphing is your game you may want to look at Rumbaugh or the Cherry Creek areas as fish in these spots do not rise as consistently as in the Arms but will take nymphs readily.

Cliff and Wade Lakes continue to fish well. The trout may still be looking for spruce moths on both. On Cliff, along the shoreline, be ready for good hopper fishing as well as Mahogany Duns to emerge and bring on the fish. Wade's big rainbows can come up for hoppers and ants along the far shoreline from the launch. For those going to the festival this weekend you may want to head to Ennis Lake for great Callibaetis action from Klute's Landing to the mouth and downlake towards the dam. If the southwest part of Yellowstone is in your plans make sure you stop off at Beula or Hering Lakes for some good fishing for cutthroats. While we are on lakes we should mention Lewis Lake which is the only lake we know of where you can catch brookies, browns, cutthroat and lake trout on dry flies! There are still fish rising to caddis and crane flies on this fine lake. Keep this in mind too for later this month when the big lake trout come onto the gravel bars in preparation to spawn, and in October when spawning browns become active.

The Firehole River has fished well above Midway Geyser Basin in the evenings during caddis times. This past week, during a cool rainy spell, we saw the first Fall Baetis come off the river near Biscuit Basin and the trout rose to them well. This activity will become stronger over the next 6-8 weeks as cooler weather moves in.

The Madison in the Park continues to be a pleasant surprise as more fall run fish move in daily. There seem to be far more brown and rainbow trout coming upriver from Hebgen Lake earlier than we've seen in the past several years. Locals all have their pet explanations, from "a better water year with more rain, and higher cooler water all summer," to "cooler evenings" and "higher Hebgen Lake levels." Who cares - only that there are lots of targets in the river, some rising to hoppers, some taking Shakey Bealey soft hackles and a few pounding tan Zonkers! A friend reported, (supported by a photo), taking a 23 ½" brown (female) at the Junction Pool last Saturday.

The Madison between the lakes has been on and off due to clouded water coming out of the dam as work crews continue to work on dam repairs. The Madison below Earthquake Lake is fishing well on warmer calm mornings when the Morning Midge activity brings up rising trout from 8-10am. I've fished $3.00 area a couple times and have had to search out risers by walking water, but when I find the right pool I can take 1 or 2 fish before moving on. The "right" pool is one of 1-2 feet in depth with a slow-moderate current, allowing midges to emerge and trout to rise comfortably to them. In too much current or too deep water the fish will not rise to the #20-22 black midges many think are Tricos. The midge is easy to mistake for a Trico as their long antennae sweep back as they fly about, giving the impression of long tails looking like the mayfly. The river is still seeing some fair evening fishing during midge and mayfly spinner times. Hoppers and Longhorn Beetles along with ants and bees are bringing up some very nice trout all day long. The float section, Lyons to McAtee Bridge, is often more productive than the wade stretch so explore this area also. Access is great and so is the late summer fishing! Sleeper bet this week will be Rhyacophila caddis beginning their late summer-early fall emergences. This is a daytime species. It is olive bodied and sports a well mottled grayish-blackish wing. It loves to hatch on warm overcast afternoons and big browns are especially fond of it so have a #16 olive X Caddis and Iris Caddis too and you will score some nice trout.

The Gallatin River is fishing very well. Grasshoppers like the Charlie Boy and Fat Albert and big Crystal Beetles can be counted on during warm sunny afternoons. Fall Baetis are emerging on cool wet days and caddis are still coming off in the late afternoon The river seems best now in the Park stretch but our guides report good action as far downstream as mile marker 57.

The Henry's Fork continues to offer up plenty of targets, which are about as tough to fool as anything you can present a fly to. John McGarity took a trophy 22" rainbow near the buildings on the ranch last week - he also took a 24" cutthroat on the Yellowstone River and furnished photos to back it up!

Speaking of the Yellowstone, there are still some very big cutts in the river which haven't returned to the lake near Nez Perce Fork and Mud Volcano. These lake fish cruise a large amount of water daily so you have to walk water and locate them. Once you find a fish they will take a mayfly spinner like a sparkle or hackled spinner in red or olive, #16-18. When you fool one, or at most 2, reel it up and head somewhere else as John Mc did. These fish are so special and 1 or 2 are enough - bring your camera and get us a nice photo. The river is also fishing very well downstream of Gardiner all the way to Livingston, Montana now. Huge foam hoppers and crickets will work.

Small streams like Magpie, Nez Perce, the Upper Firehole above the highway upstream of Old Faithful, Boundary, Middle, and others are all fishing well during our terrestrial time. Come out and explore and enjoy Yellowstone country! And, if we can help in your planning, flies, or any questions, just call or email!

August 28, 2009 Fishing Report Craig Mathews

My good friend Yvon Chouinard just left. He'd been here for a few days of fishing and we had some incredible dry fly action. Hebgen Lake was wonderful yesterday during Callibaetis mayfly times and the day before we had a great time fishing out Tenkara rods on small streams, (see photo), when beetles, grasshoppers and PMDs were on the water. Yvon (Patagonia Inc) and I spent the time fishing and catching up on our 1% for the Planet programs. To date 1% members have contributed nearly $45 million to conservation programs. I'll be doing economic sustainability and conservation programs around the country this winter beginning at University of Iowa's College of Business. It is exciting to see the work being done with 1% donations in and around Yellowstone country. More on this in future reports. And, look to this newsletter for more information on Tenkara fly rods and how great they are for beginners and experts alike. A great method to fish with, and an easy way to get beginning anglers hooked on fly fishing! Let's get to this week's report.

Hebgen Lake is fishing well, perhaps the best dry fly fishing in the country now, and will continue well into September. Tricos come off in the morning, around 10am. Callibeatis begin both emerging and returning spinner falls by 11 and continue until the wind comes up usually around 1pm. Flying ants will be on the water on and off all day. This lake has fished well all summer, with many seasoned vets saying things like "the lake is fishing like the old glory days of gulpering", and.. .."can't believe the number of rising trout".. .. The huge rainbows and browns are never "easy", always a challenge, but worth every once of sunblock you must apply now for fishing our high pressure system weather conditions we normally receive in late August going into September. Many of the "impossible" fish are on emergers and nymphs so you must have patterns like C Baetis Cripples and sparkle duns as well as spinners. Flying Zelon Ants are a "must have" too so be prepared and score some very large trout on 5 and 6x tippets!

Cliff and Wade Lakes as well as Quake are fishing when Spruce Moths and ants are on the water. There are good Callibaetis emergences on Quake from 10am to noon but the fish often ignore them for the moths and ants.

Hidden and Elk Lakes continue to fish very well. Moths, ants and C Baetis will all bring up some very nice trout. For explosive action head to the sage brush shoreline of Hidden and present a Enhanced Chaos Hopper off the shore and hang on for very large rainbows patrolling the edges for hoppers in afternoon winds.

The Madison River is seeing ants, regular and flying, as well as strong grasshopper action all along the river from Quake to Ennis Lake. Speaking of Ennis Lake, you may want to check this sleeper out during C Baetis times too. For the river the Morning Midges are emerging around $3.00 and the West Fork and the trout will rise to them on calm mornings from 9am to noon in selected spots. You must walk water and carefully watch all likely areas with slow-even currents along the edges in order to spot rising trout. Then give them a #20-22 Zelon Midge. During the late morning hours flying ant swarms form all along the river from $3.00 Bridge downstream so be ready with foam red/black, black or cinnamon Zelon Ants. Hopper fishing has been very good when the Hopper Winds crank up after 1pm. The better fish seem to rise best to big foam hoppers and crickets and beetles in mid-river. Afternoon Epeorus and A. margarita mayflies emerge best on overcast days with spinner falls of both coming on strong in late evening hours. Nymphs are very important to anglers when fishing both mayfly species as trout often key on emergers and nymphs at the surface. While evening caddis activity has waned, other insects as those mentioned above have certainly taken up the slack! The river in the park is fishing well with hoppers and swinging soft hackles. More and more fall run browns and rainbows are coming in but the warm weather might put them off for a day or two until the weather changes.

The Firehole River has fished well above Midway Geyser Basin. Fall Baetis are beginning to emerge now and will continue to strengthen into the next 2 months. Look too for Hydropscyhe caddis to begin their fall emergence in the next week or two with big rises of trout to this caddis activity. White Miller Caddis continue to emerge and will do so for the next month or more. Our spent deer hair, emerger and cripple patterns all work well during these afternoon hours when lots of trout are seen leaping out of the water after fluttering egg-laying and emerging caddis flies.

The Henry's Fork is fishing very well now too. Box Canyon has been great and the ranch has plenty of targets but, they are never easy to fool! Mahogany Duns and Baetis, caddis, midges and ants are producing and never fish the H Fork this time of year without a beetle.

The Gallatin has been fun from the park line downstream to Greek Creek. Road construction near the 48 mile marker can be a bit frustrating but the fishing below this point is well worth the wait for a pilot car. Spruce moths are still hovering on or near the water's surface in early morning hours but the trout are beginning to tire of these insects and now look to ants and bees as preferred fare. A Stalcup cricket might out fish any grasshopper pattern on some days, but when the convection winds crank up during the afternoon hours be ready with an Enhanced Chaos or fat Albert Hopper. Evening caddis are still coming off around Specimen and Taylors Fork so have an X and Iris and you will be set.

Remember the road to Norris from Mammoth is closed and will be so the remainder of this year so those traveling to Soda and Slough Creeks and the Lamar River will have to take the long way around. The fishing on these waters has been awesome. Fall Green Drakes are beginning to come off in good number. Heptagenia mayflies are emerging on Soda Butte daily with lots of fine cutts rising to emergers. Terrestrials now like huge crickets (Gouchos and SC Creek Crickets best), small hoppers and ants all bringing up trout. Evening anglers can do very well with caddis like tan X #14-16 and olive #17-19 Iris.

Small streams like Grayling, Straight, Indian, upper Gardner, Panther, Bacon Rind, Fan, Warm River, Boundary and a host of others are all fishing very well. Stop by and we will draw you a map to some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path waters in and around Yellowstone.

We hope to see you soon in Yellowstone!

August 18, 2009 Fishing Report Craig Mathews

The truck's thermometer read 26 degrees on the way into town at 7am yesterday morning! Gone for now are the mosquitoes, and local gardeners who thought they might see their tomatoes ripen fully on the vine for the first time in over a decade were again disappointed to find the green fruit turn black by the early frost. But the fishing is great and the grasshoppers are getting bigger by the day. This week we'll see good flying ant swarms along the Gallatin and Madison. The first bugles from bull elk are echoing down from the hills and the feel of an early fall is in the air. Some good run-up rainbow and brown trout are showing up from Hebgen Lake into the Madison River near Bakers Hole. There's still a few rooms open in local motels for September and October so make your plans and get to tying flies in preparation for a full slate of great fall fishing in Yellowstone country!

The Gallatin River from its headwaters in Yellowstone Park downstream to Gallatin Gateway has fished very well. Spruce moths, grasshoppers, beetles and tiny blue-winged-olives are bringing the trout to the surface. I like to head downstream to 50 or 60 mile marker-Greek Creek or Portal Creek areas- then bounce back upstream and end up in the Park section late in the day. Try trailing a Crystal Beetle behind an Enhanced Chaos Hopper and you might be surprised at the size of rainbows you can bring up on a windy afternoon. On overcast days you will encounter some Baetis mayflies coming off around Big Sky and upstream to the Bacon Rind Creek in the Park and be ready with #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Duns. Nymphing anglers will score with Krystal and original brown Serendipities trailed behind a #10-12 beaded Prince Nymph. A great fly to try now too is a lime green Dipity but you may have to release a few whities for every nice trout using this sleeper fly.

The Madison River in the Park is fishing well. Grasshoppers on bright, warm, windy afternoons can bring fish to the top in the meadow stretches and along the West Yellowstone-Madison Jct roadway, and I mean right off the road! We have seen more and more run-up fish from Hebgen Lake this week. Best stretches are from Cardiac Hill downstream to the lake. Here try Shakey Bealey soft hackles and Platte River streamers. Trico mayflies will emerge in the mornings and the trout will get on them. Some huge whitefish will rise to the small insects also. Many might badmouth the whities but they are great fun on small flies and fragile tippets. Around 7 Mile Bridge from 9-11am you should see a good rise of trout to #18 olive spinners. These fish are tough to fool, as are most good trout rising to spinners. You should use supple tippets, we all like Supplex 6x, to defeat drag and fool the larger risers.

The Madison between the lakes has fished well. The flows from Hebgen dam have been brought down below 900 cfs and the trout are hungry. Afternoon hopper action has been strong during grasshopper wind periods. Mornings have been good at the confluence of the river and lake. Evenings are fine too with Spruce Moths and caddis. The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished well with Spruce Moths from the Eagle's Nest parking area downstream to Standard Creek. Afternoon flying ant and grasshopper action is cranking up well now too. Evening caddis are still furnishing good dry fly fishing and Epeorus mayflies are coming off from Raynolds downstream. These beautiful insects emerge around 4pm and their spinner falls occur 8-9pm. Make sure you have an Epeorus nymph, sparkle dun and spinner. Prospecting with the dun and nymph combination has been good all month. It gets dark now around 9:10pm and you may encounter trout tailing and rolling as they take midges in the quiet pools so be prepared! Best flies are Zelon Midges, cinnamon and black flying ants, tiger beetles and enhanced chaos hoppers along with spruce moths and $3.00 Dips in brown and olive. Iris and X Caddis should also be included in your arsenal.

Hebgen Lake has been great during both Trico and Callibaetis mayflies periods. I like to get to the lake around 7am and pick off a riser or two taking tricos. This activity can last until 10am when the trout might shift their attention to Callibaetis nymphs and duns until around noon when the begin keying on C. Baetis spinners and remain on the spinners until the wind comes up at 2pm. Flying ants are playing a huge roll now in bringing trout to the surface so have #14-16 flying black and cinnamon ants too. Cliff and Wade as well as Hidden Lakes are all fishing well. In the park look to Trout, Wolf and Grebe Lakes as well as Grizzly, Joffe, and others. Check with us for current information on these great stillwaters before making the drive. Henry's Lake should pick up any day now for brookies and huge hybrids. This great lake always fishes well in September and October and is the best place to take a trophy brook trout in spawning colors!

The Yellowstone River is fishing well, in and out of the park. A #14-18 rusty spinner may be the only fly one needs on the river around Mud Volcano and up to Cascade Picnic area both early and late in the day. But I'd also have along Iris caddis and midges like the Griffith's Gnat Emerger in cream #20. The river downstream of Gardiner, Mt has fished well too. Hoppers, crickets and beetles along with big Royal Wulffs and PMXs will get the job done there. We advise you check in at Park's Fly Shop while traveling through Gardiner for solid advise on fishing the area there. Walt will steer you in the right direction!

The Gardner River along with Slough, Lamar, and Soda Butte Creeks should all be fished at this time. Keep in mind the road closure on the Madison-Norris Rd when making plans to fish these fine waters. Drake Mackerals, Slough Creek Midges along with all terrestrials will bring on good rises of fish. The Henry's Fork has some big rising targets, but boy are they tough! Baetis, Tricos and Mahogany Duns during the day along with caddis in the evenings. Ants and Beetles are important flies to have too.

Smaller waters like Grayling, Specimen, Straight, Glen, Indian, the West Fork of the Madison, Nez Perce and a host of other will all fish well during grasshopper times now. Check with us, we will draw you a map to some of our favorite underfished and overlooked waters in Yellowstone country!

Let's not forget the Firehole River which has been super during Baetis, midges, ants and beetles and small hopper times and do not forget damsel flies either. Late day caddis action has been responsible for very good dry fly fishing. The trout are not big, but they are feisty and willing!

August 11, 2009 Craig Mathews

This Friday, August 14th, will be West Yellowstone's annual "Crazy Days" sale! For you, our special customers, check in at Blue Ribbon Flies for special deals on all kinds of gear. In the meantime, grab your rods and reels and head to all area rivers, lakes and stream for some very good fishing. Grasshoppers, bees, beetles and ants are all bringing trout to the surface. From tiny Baetis to huge Drake Mackeral mayflies, midges, a few species of caddis and more the trout are rising here in Yellowstone country. Soooo.. ..do whatever it takes and get here for some very fine fly fishing opportunities.

First, from Minori: Fishing on the Henry's Fork continues to be very good. Fishermen have reported excellent luck in the Box Canyon using adult golden stone imitations and small tungsten beadhead nymphs. The Railroad Ranch section is experiencing one of its best summers in years. There are still plenty of PMDs and caddis hatching along with Tricos and Callibaetis. There are also some small black ants and some larger dark honey ants on the water providing the fish with a lot of different feeding opportunities.

The Madison River in the Park has fished very well this past week during morning spinner falls and evening caddis. The first fall run browns and rainbows have begun, this according to friends who have had good success swinging Shakey Bealey wets. Trico emergences are in full swing now too, around Bakers Hole and downstream to the lake. This is challenging fishing for big trout but you must separate rising trout from whitefish and present a #20-22 Micro-Wulff cripple on a drag-free drift for success.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has begun to fish when afternoon grasshopper winds begin to blow. Small hoppers, crickets, beetles and ants are working their magic from 1 to 4pm. Have Stalcup hoppers and crickets along with Enhanced Chaos Hoppers. The Tiger Beetle, #14-16 has fished well as has the Yellowstone Bee. Spruce moths might not be as big a deal as we initially thought this summer as the recent cold, wet conditions have beaten them down. Float fishing has been incredible with hopper action in mid-river daily from Palisades to Ruby Creek. Evening action can still be great, 7-9:30pm, when warm, stable weather exist. Epeorus mayflies and a couple caddis fly species along with strong midge activity can all bringing trout to the top. Best places are still Raynolds and $3.00 Bridge and the West Fork upstream to Eagle's Nest parking. We have fished the river late in the day recently from McAtee to Ruby and have had good success.

The Gallatin River has been superb when the water is clear. There have been several afternoon and evening thunderstorms lately which have muddied the water but conditions now, and into the near future, look good for great action. Use PMXs and hoppers along with crystal beetles during the day, caddis in the afternoons. Look at Specimen and Taylor Fork now for wonderful afternoon dry fly fishing too.

Reminder here is that the Madison Jct-Norris Road closes August 17. After this time you will need to take the long road to Slough, Lamar, etc. Best route will become West Yellowstone to Old Faithful to West Thumb to Lake- on to Canyon and over Dunraven Pass. When you get there have Drake Macks and Slough Creek Baetis for daily mayfly action. Important terrestrial patterns are beetles, ants and crickets. We have lots of hoppers in stock and would like you to have them for fishing these fine waters, but they haven't worked extremely well this season.. ..yet.

The Firehole River continues to fish. Caddis action is strong in the late afternoon as is midging, hopper and ant fishing. Small streams like Grayling, Hellroaring, Blacktail Deer, Lava, Straight, and Nez Perce are all fishing well with small hoppers and attractors like olive and royal PMXs. The Yellowstone River above the falls has fished well. Here spend time walking and stalking, sight fishing for huge cutthroat trout up to 23". Rusty and olive spinners are working well in the evenings and emergences of Epeorus duns bring nice rises in the late day too. This time of year ants and beetles can always be counted on as can midges in the morning hours.

Now is the time to fish area lakes like Hebgen and Earthquake during Callibaetis mayfly emergences and spinner falls on calm warm mornings and until the wind comes up around 2pm. Callibaetis cripples and deer hair spinners along with nymphs like Feather Dusters will bring up some great trout. This activity will continue for the next several weeks so do not miss out on some of the best dry fly fishing in the world! In the Park check out Lewis Lake now for C. Baetis and PMDs and evening caddis activity too.

3 August 2009 Fishing Report Craig Mathews

Terrestrial time is ripe in Yellowstone country. Ants, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, leaf hoppers, wasps, crickets and spruce moths are starting to bring up trout on most rivers, lakes and streams. All of our overlooked and underfished waters, as I call them, in the area are fishing well for those willing to invest a little time and shoe leather into exploring these waters. Later on in this report we will discuss a few of these fine waters. Caddis and mayflies are still bringing up strong rises of trout, and midges are beginning to play a larger role in late evening fishing. Recent rains have kept all waters cool, and even rivers like the Firehole, which normally warms too much during this time of year, are fishing well. The trout continue to take advantage of strong late day Epeorus mayfly emergences during frequent thundershowers on rivers like the Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone. These rain events trigger heavy hatches of these Pink Lady mayflies and the trout relish them. Beware though of lightning storms in the valleys which have been common this summer. We had our first fire caused by lightning this Sunday near $3.00 Bridge. Let's get to our rather long report!

The Gallatin River continues to fish well both in and out of the Park. I like to begin on the river below Big Sky in the morning, downstream as far as Portal or Greek Creek. This week we will see fish working the spruce moths as they come down to the water in the early morning and late evening. Grasshoppers and crickets along with bee patterns are working well too. In the late afternoon head upstream, above the Taylor Fork and be prepared to fish Epeorus, Flavs and caddis from 4 to 9pm. The river usually dies around 9 as temperatures cool. Tribs like Bacon Rind, Taylor and Specimen have fished well. Best flies are Epeorus and Flav Sparkle Duns and spinners, along with our new Epeorus nymph pattern. Hopper flies like Enhanced Chaos and Fat Alberts are bringing up some great fish, as are Stalcup's Crickets and our Yellowstone Bee.

The Madison continues to fish well. Evening caddis activity has been hot and cold, but the river from Raynolds downstream to Palisades has fished the best during the late evening hours. Beware of trout rising to Epeorus spinners then too. You must be willing to change flies to fool rising fish. Look to the riseforms to tell you what fly to try. A casual head and tail, sipping rise usually indicates a spinner rise. Trout porpoising and rolling with small fish coming out of the air indicates fish working emerging caddis. If you observe tails coming out the fish may be taking emerging midges so be prepared. Morning fishing during spinner falls and egg-laying caddis times has been good too. Spruce moths are coming on all along the river both between the lakes and near the West Fork. Grasshoppers and ants are fishing very well all along the river from Quake to Ennis Lake. Tributaries like the West Fork and Indian Creek are also fishing well. While the trout are not large the fish are willing and pretty, and much fun to fool with small hoppers and attractors like Wulffs and PMXs.

The Yellowstone River is fishing well for those who exercise patience and stealthy stalking on the upper river below the lake. Spinner falls and emergences of Flavs and pink ladies have been strong, as well as late day caddis. The Mud Volcano to Cascade Creek stretch has been most productive. This game is not for beginners. The fish are huge and tough to fool. A drag-free float is necessary as it the right fly. Check in with us for details before driving over.

Now is the time to make the hike into the Bechler River and use grasshoppers, flying ants, and beetles along the grassy banks above Boundary Creek. Get an early start, around 6am from town, drive to the ranger station or Cave Falls and make the hike. You will be pleased! Take along a head net AND mosquito repellent.

The Lamar River has been strong with hoppers and crickets, PMDs and drakes. I like the water above the canyon and by making a walk into the meadows you will do fine. Watch for bison and bears along the river and give them the right of way! The same for Soda Butte although the sleeper fly here will be a #14 Heptagenia Cripple. Slough Creek has been great too, but there is a reported elk kill near the VIP Pool. For Slough consider #22 Slough Creek Baetis for those times the big cutts and rainbows key on these tiny cream colored Baetis mayflies. Never, ever, never make the trip to these fine waters without a big Goucho fly as well as a Fat Albert or Enhanced Chaos Hopper. Too, have flying ants and bees along for the afternoon fishing. Spend time moving slowly, stalking and creeping along the banks searching for big bank sippers and you will be rewarded. Anglers wanting some solitude should make the hike into Cache Creek, a major tributary to the Lamar. Take the Lamar River Trail, near the confluence of Soda Butte, south for about 3 miles and you will reach the lower end of Cache Creek or you can hike upstream via the trail rather than up the creek by taking the Cache Creek Trail fork about ¼ mile before you reach the creek. This creek contains good cutts up to 13" and has great hatches of green drakes, PMDs and Heptagenia mayflies this time of year.

The Gardner River has been fun with grasshoppers and large attractors: PMXs and H&Ls. For beginners try the river near Sheepeater Cliffs where you will catch beautiful brookies and small rainbows. Lava Creek can be fun too, both for beginners and experts alike! While in the area give Obsidian, Straight and Glen Creeks a try for those learning the sport; everyone will catch fish. Blacktail Deer Creek and Hellroaring are awesome now as well, but bring some bear spray along and learn how to use it before making the trek.

For those heading south into Idaho and looking for some out-of-the-way water try Warm River and Robinson Creek near Aston, Idaho.

If fishing lakes is in your plans make sure you include Hebgen and Earthquake Lakes along with Hidden and Elk too. The Callibaetis are coming off all waters so be prepared with nymphs, duns and spinner patterns. Our deer hair and foam spinners are deadly and so are Feather Duster nymphs as well as sparkle dun and cripple Callibaetis flies.

In Yellowstone Park check out Lewis Lake now for pale morning dun and Callibaetis mayfly activity. While in the Park check out Riddle, Beula and Sylvan Lakes too. it is damsel, dragon and Callibaetis time now on these fine waters. You will have great hikes and fun angling in remote areas of Yellowstone! Bear spray required.

Sleeper bets in the Park include the Madison River around 7 Mile Bridge during the early mornings, 8am to noon, pale morning duns and spinners continue to bring some nice trout to the top. In the afternoons try the meadow stretches with grasshopper patterns and beetles. The other sleeper is Nez Perce Creek about the old stone quarry for 10-12" browns rising to Elk Hair Caddis and Enhanced Chaos Hoppers.

Call or email for current up-to-the-minute fishing information and we all hope to see you soon in Yellowstone! If fall fishing, September and October, are in your plans make sure you reserve lodging and guides soon - real soon. Hard core anglers come from around the fly fishing world to fish the fall run of brown and rainbow trout on the Park's section of the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon below their falls. Then Baetis and caddis come off and provide wonderful dry fly action on the Firehole. And, Baetis and midges will emerge on the lower Madison below Quake Lake. Gone are the summer crowds, the elk are bugling, wolves howling and big trout feeding like packs of wolves! Us locals can then reclaim our seats at local restaurants.I love fall in Yellowstone and am sure you will too! See you soon.

 

July 27, 2009 Craig Mathews

I am sorry this report comes a bit late. I just returned from a symposium-workshop, "Preserving a Pure Strain of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout" which was part of the Beartooth Environmental Awareness Day. I had the pleasure of presenting a talk on "A Conservationist's View of Maintaining Pure Strains of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout." Stay tuned as a copy of my presentation will soon appear on our web site along with information coming from this wonderful and productive workshop. Panelists included Dr. Robert Behnke of CSU, Bruce Farling of Montana Trout Unlimited, Jason Burckhardt of Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, Scott Barndt of Gallatin National Forest, Dr. Todd Koel of Yellowstone National Park, and Ken Frazer of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Let's get to the fishing!

First, a few words from Minori on the Henry's Fork. Water releases from the Island Park Reservoir are above average for this time of year at 1360 cfs. Fishing below the Reservoir in the Box Canyon is very good with most fish being taken on small beadhead nymphs and streamers. Fish are also being taken on adult golden stone imitations. Fishing on the Railroad Ranch section of the Henry's Fork has been good during the morning and again in the evenings with PMD and Flav spinner imitations. During mid-day try beetles and ants.

The Madison River in the Park is still seeing great PMD spinner falls in the morning, 8-11am. The best areas to fish the spinner falls are around the upper end of Riverside Dr upstream to 7 Mile Bridge as well as the big meadow below Madison Junction. The spinners are #18's, olive in color. The fish are very tough, but you will have lots of targets. As with fishing most spinner falls, you never seem to do as well as you think given the number of rising trout. Drag is your number one enemy so use 3 feet of Rio's Suppleflex tippet in 6x and attach it to the end of a 9ft 5x leader and you will fool a few nice browns.

The Madison River below Quake Lake is fishing very well. Epeorus mayflies continue to emerge strong along with a couple species of caddis flies. Spruce moths will be coming on soon as the larvae are cocooned up and should emerge as full-fledged moths in the next week to 10 days. (late entry: as we were having dinner this evening we saw the first Spruce moths emerging from our Douglas Fir trees behind the house.. ..THEY'RE BACK!!!) Bucky's Epeorus ICU has fished very well during the emergence. Our new Epeorus Nymph is killing fished all day behind a $3.00 Dip in Krystal or original brown. The nymph must be fished on 4x tippet and even with this heavy tippet you will break off plenty to big browns and rainbows! Terrestrials are coming on now also. Beetles, bees and ants are working all along the river and our guides on float trips are reporting fine action. For caddis times, early in the morning and late in the day, have our new CDC Egg Laying Caddis, X and X2 tan and olive, #14-18 along with Iris in olive, after dark and tan #17-19. For those you enjoy a fly fishing challenge try presenting our #16 Deer Hair Egg Laying pattern to big browns as they sip spent egg layers along the shoreline in the very early morning hours, 6-7am! Now is a wonderful time to take a float trip and experience this great river while fishing 8-12 miles of the river. The fish are coming up nicely to dries.

The Gallatin River is giving up some very large browns and rainbows now. The river is fishing very well downstream of Big Sky, near Greek and Portal Creeks, as well as the upper stretches above Taylors Fork. PMDs and Flavs and a few green drakes are coming off during cloudy mornings. Caddis are emerging in the evenings along with Epeorus mayfly spinner falls. Terrestrials like beetles and small hoppers are working now too. Never-ever go to the Gallatin without an olive PMX either.. ..it is the best attractor pattern going on this river. Tributaries like Specimen, Bacon Rind, Fan and Taylors Fork are fishing fine also, with the same patterns.

It is well worth the trouble to drag yourselves out of bed, grab an early breakfast and pick up some lunch and make your way to Slough, Soda Butte and/or the Lamar River. Remember that the road along the Gibbon Falls area does not open until 8am but be in line at 8 sharp and you will have plenty of time to hike up to the first and even second meadows of Slough Creek before things get going. Those not wanting to slug out the short hike to the meadows will do just fine fishing the water along the road and up to the campground. Soda Butte Creek is fishing very well now as is the Lamar River. All waters have great emergences of PMDs and Heptagenia and gray drake mayflies. Soda Butte has a wonder emergence of caddis in the evening, when everyone leaves the stream for dinner! (Remember too, if returning to West Yellowstone, that you must be back at the road construction area at Gibbon Falls before 10pm as this is the time the road closes for the night. The road is open daily from 8am to 10pm!) The best flies include sparkle duns and cripples as well as spinners. Have x caddis and our new caddis pattern not yet named, but next to the X Caddis in the bins.. ..it has a wing of deer with trigger point fibers out the sides, shuck of zelon, and a crystal body. This little gem has been deadly on all these streams as well as the Madison, and we will run out soon, no lie! Note: There will be a grizzly bear jam on Mount Washburn and you will see a black bear near the butte on Soda Butte so bring your camera and spray. On the Lamar, if you hike out into the meadow from the Buffalo Ranch, you might have some issues with the beasties but if you give them lots of room you will be fine.

The Gardner River is fishing well. PMXs and Sparkle Lime Trudes with rubber legs are working well along with Shane's Crickets. I like the river from its junction with the Yellowstone upstream to the 45th parallel bridge. Then from the Mammoth-Tower Bridge upstream or down for a half-mile. You might want to fish Lava Creek too.. ..just a hint.

The Yellowstone River in the Park is fishing well. It takes a very skilled angler to take the huge Yellowstone cutts but it can be done if you are patient and locate feeding fish. Most fish rising will be locked on spinners. Do NOT spray your cast in hopes of finding a volunteer. You must patiently stalk and search out these great fish. They might refuse your first presentation.. ..rest the fish, tie on another fly or change position and you will be rewarded. A good day is a few big trout, some up to 23" and over 4lbs. It is best for the fish to catch one or 2 and head off to another river or stream. These fish are special, very special, and appear to be making a comeback so give them a break. Best flies have been our new CDC PMD Spinner along with a triple wing rusty spinner, #16. Nymphing anglers can do well with an Epeorus Nymph, unweighted, and presented to cruisers. The river outside the park and downstream to Big Timber is fishing well now also, with big foam hoppers and attractors.

Straight Creek has been fun of late. This little jewel is a great hike and fish, and so is Grizzly Lake! Have small PMXs, yellow humpies, and Ultrathon bug spray! Other Park streams offering up fine action include Blacktail Deer, Grayling, Indian, Glen, Middle, and Nez Perce Creeks. Take one day of your fishing vacation and explore one or more of these great off-the-beaten-path waters while you are in Yellowstone country. Better yet, take one of our guides to show you one or more of these special waters, and how to fish them, best places and flies too.. ..it'll pay off in the long run for you!

Area lakes are fishing very well. Hebgen's gulper fishing is coming into its own and will get better and better over the following month as Callibaetis mayflies emerge daily. Most fish key on the emerging nymphs for the first part of the morning, then switch to duns and finally spinners around noon. I'd be on the water by 9am and tie on a sparkle dun or cripple trailing a Callibaetis nymph about 16-18" behind. The dry will initially serve as your indicator as the fish scoop up the nymphs. Around 11am they will switch to the more numerous duns and stay with them until the spinner fall becomes heavy around noon.

Earthquake Lake is fishing great no too. The upper lake downstream to Beaver Creek has been best during Callibaetis times. Evening action is strong on the lower lake all the way to the natural dam but be very careful here with the strong outflow. Don't forget a Spruce Moth imitation now, such as an orange topped Elk Hair Caddis, #16 for fishing the early season moth activity. Cliff, Wade, Ennis and Henry's are all producing. Check with us daily for information. In the park try Grebe and Wolf, Cascade and Blacktail Ponds for some great action. On these waters be prepared with damsels and dragons!

A special product anglers should consider when fishing waters like the Madison, where minimal false casting is a must and the fly has to be kept in front of rising trout quickly due to competition with your fly and the number of insects on the water and failing late evening light, is the Sharkskin fly line from Scientific Anglers. This line shoots like no other, loads the rod quickly and requires no false casting to keep the fly in front of rising trout quickly and without effort when it counts! You will catch more fish using this line, you will false cast much, much less and your fly will be in front of rising trout 2 to 1 over other lines I swear. Now I am out the door to fish the evening caddis and Epeorus spinner fall, 7-10pm. I hope to see you soon in Yellowstone and remember, if you have any questions about anything from tackle to flies, to when to come and where to stay, drop us an email, or call today! We can give you a current, up-to-the minute report then too!

July 14, 2009 Craig Mathews

Tomorrow the fishing season opens on the Yellowstone River downstream of Yellowstone Lake. Reports of fair to good angling for Yellowstone Cutts have been coming in since the lake opened to fishing on 15 June. We are holding our breath, hoping the river will too see a comeback in the cutt population. The river fished well last summer. Our guides and clients had good success taking many fish in the 15-22" range during the 2008 season. So far this year the water remains and it has been very difficult to see fish from the shore but we are very optimistic. Our report will follow soon on how the river fished. In the meantime our guides specializing in underfished and overlooked waters remind us it is that time of the year to begin exploring some off-the-beaten-path waters in and around Yellowstone Park. Let's look at some of these special places as well as the other water in the area that are fishing well. Here's our report.

First though, a few words from Minori on the Henry's Fork. Box Canyon: Flows out of the Island Park Reservoir are near normal for this time of year and the fishing has been very good with adult golden stone imitations and small (size #16) beadhead nymphs. Some of the larger fish are being taken with a variety of olive colored streamer patterns. Railroad Ranch: Fishing on the 'Ranch' has slowed down a bit since the Green Drake hatch ended but there are plenty of PMDs and caddis around and the Flavs are just starting to hatch. Fishing on this section of the Henry's Fork should improve greatly as the Flav hatch strengthens. Warm River to Ashton: Fishing on this section of the 'Fork' has been excellent with golden stone, yellow sally, caddis and PMD imitations.

Some of the best fishing now is on our lakes in Yellowstone country. Lakes like Hebgen, Cliff and Wade, Earthquake and Elk along with Hidden in Montana are all fishing very well. Idaho's Henry's Lake is too. In the Park look to lakes like Cascade, Wolf and Grebe, Trout, Lewis and Shoshone to all fish now, both wet and dry.

Hebgen Lake's famed Trico mayfly hatch is beginning on the Madison Arm of the lake but Callibaetis are the talk here this week, and will be for many weeks to come. Rumbaugh Bay's Speckled Wing Spinners (Callibaetis sp) can be so heavy at times as they compete daily for a mate just the noise of their wings can be heard for a distance. The same can be seen on Hidden Lake where at times the hatch is "too heavy" for your fly to compete with a natural to be taken by the trout.

Earthquake Lake is not only celebrating the 50th anniversary of its creation, (stop by the visitors' center on the lake for more), but it is fishing wickedly well during evening caddis as well as morning PMD and Callibaetis times. It is always a good idea to have a green drake pattern along when fishing the upper lake as some of these #12 mayflies filter down from the river and large trout will take them.

On Elk Lake anglers can expect trout rising to Callibaetis each morning. The fish, mostly 14-15" cutthroats, will come to #16 Parachute Adams and nearly anything else that resembles a Speckled Spinner. It is damsel time on Wade Lake and you can expect good Callibaetis activity too during the early mornings and into the afternoon hours if the winds stay down. An unweighted damsel nymph is needed on this lake to take the larger rainbows which cruise 12-18" under the surface chasing the nymphs.

On Cascade, Wolf and Grebe you should have fine damsel fly activity along with Callibaetis. The grayling in Cascade are larger than those in Grebe. On Grebe you will take several nice grayling along with an occasional rainbow. The rainbows here are some of the most spectacularly colored specimens in the west.

Lewis Lake will see good PMDs now and you can often spot the browns rising to them as you cruise along the lakeshore in your vehicle. Both this lake and Shoshone have wonderful late day caddis activity. #10-14 Elk Hair Caddis will work. Patterns to have for Callibaetis include our beaded and unweighted Callibaetis nymphs, CB Sparkle Duns, CDC Duns and Emergers along with cripples all in #14-16 sizes. If making the hike(s) into the Park's lakes it is recommended you check with us for current fishing information and bear activity reports before hiking in. For all lakes in the area make sure to take bear-pepper spray.

The Yellowstone River in the Park and downstream of Yellowstone Lake should fish this week after it opens on the 15th. Look for salmon flies, golden stones and the huge Hesperophylax sp caddis to bring the trout to the surface. The Gardner River has fished very well with large attractor patterns and small golden stone imitations. While you are visiting this area of the Park make sure you try Blacktail Deer and Lava Creeks for some fun fishing, especially for beginners.

The Lamar River is still flowing at twice the flow of the Madison River but will come down in the next 2 weeks. Its tribs, Soda Butte and Slough Creek are both fishing well. Slough has been awesome with gray drakes and PMDs while Soda has some daytime caddis and PMDs. The evening caddis on Slough has been strong too. The second meadow seems the place to be but for those unable to make this hike try the stream along the campground road for some wonderful morning action, and great rainbow trout!

The Firehole River will continue to fish well during White Miller caddis times in the late evening, 7-10PM. Midge fishing and #18 PMD spinners will bring on a fish in the early morning hours. The "Morning Midge" has furnished very challenging action in and around the Muleshoe Bend area, 7-10AM. The rumor mill on blogs has it that this river is done for the summer - don't believe it yet! Same with the Madison in the Park, the fishing is still ok in the morning from 8-10AM during PMD spinner falls, #18.

The Madison River below Quake Lake has fished like a pleasant dream and will continue to do so for the next several months! Our guides on the float and walk-wade trips are having banner days. Look for PMDs and Eperous mayflies along with a couple species of caddis, stones and terrestrials all bringing trout to the surface. Early morning fishing has been superb. For much more detail on the morning fishing go to our web site or look in your BRF 2009 catalogue for an article I did entitled "Morning on the Madison." You'll be glad you did. I had 2 incredible mornings on the river this past week, during caddis and mayfly times. The salmon flies are at $3.00 Bridge now with some even upstream to the dam. Best flies are Sunken Stones, X2 and X Caddis, Iris, CDC Egg-Laying and Spent Deer Hair Caddis along with PMD and Epeorus Sparkle Duns and spinners. Terrestrials like flying ants and small beetles are working well and nymphs like $3.00 Dips in brown and Krystal and Guide models will all produce very well.

The Gallatin River has fished well both in and out of the Park. The river is off color below the Taylor Fork but should clear soon. Upstream look for stoneflies, both giant and golden, along with green drakes and PMDs to bring up the trout. Caddis and little stones will also bring trout up to their times on the water so be prepared. Smaller stream to explore include the West Fork of the Madison in Montana along with the Park's Grayling, Fan and Bacon Rind Creeks. If small waters are your game check in with us and get a guide for a day to show you some incredible, intimate, drop-dead gorgeous smaller streams to fish. Unfortunately for the spruce trees in the area, but good news for trout looking up, is the news that the Spruce Moth worms look plentiful in our area forests. It is time to tie up Spruce Fly imitations as they will be with us from mid-August into September and if you remember the past 2-3 late summers up will recall just how fond the trout are for these big-amber moths in the morning and evening hours. Until next week, call or email us with your questions on fly patterns to tying materials, or fly fishing gear, or places to stay, where to fish, or anything else you might want to know about fishing, hiking, etc. in Yellowstone area. Lately we have had several requests to build fly selections for the time period an angler might be in our area. Let us do the same for you, with the most innovation and successful flies known to man! I hope to see you soon in the shop!

July 10, Craig Mathews

I'm standing at the front counter trying to write another weekly fishing report. This morning has been incredible. The Yellowstone Park Foundation along with The Volunteer Fly Fishing Program and members of the resource team from the park are here presenting their "Stop Aquatic Nuisance" program to customers here at BRF. It has been a successful event, one attended by dozens of visiting anglers to the Yellowstone area. Our hope is to have this a yearly function here at the shop.

The fishing has been incredible in Yellowstone. Rivers like the Madison and Henry's Fork are fishing the "best in years" according to local guides and visiting anglers. Hatches like golden, little yellow and giant stones along with mayflies like Epeorus, PMDs , green and gray drakes and tiny Baetis are all coming off, as are several species of caddis flies. My friend Fred and I fished the river yesterday below $3.00 Bridge. Arriving at 8am we found the river alive with rising trout. Caddis flies, some emerging and others laying eggs, mayflies emerging and egg-laying along with stones crawling about brought on a huge rise of trout from 8am to 2pm when a thunderstorm forced us off the river. If you can't be here we'll think about you and will catch a few trout for you! If you are coming, you will see what we write about! Let's look at the waters for the coming week.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished very well. Stones, caddis and mayflies are all coming off in tremendous numbers daily and trout, big trout, are rising to them from Ennis to the lake. Epeorus and green drakes can be found now all along the river. The stonefly hatch is nearing Raynold's Pass Bridge as are golden stones. Chubby Chernobyls and Sunken Stones are producing. For caddis our X and X2 along with Iris and Spent are producing but, the one to have is the CDC Egg Layingit has been deadly! Mayfly patterns would include pmd and Epeorus Sparkle Duns and spinners along with a green drake. The late evening action is working now from 7 to 11pm but good dry fly fishing can be had all day long during this fine insect activity periods.

The Gallatin River is coming on now too. The river below the Taylor Fork has been muddy of late due to afternoon thunderstorms but the weather forecast is for clear conditions the next several days and this should bring on wonderful stonefly and caddis action. The green drakes and PMDs are due now too so be prepared! Bring large attractors like PMXs, stimis, and wulffs for fun afternoon prospecting for wild trout on this one.

The Henry's Fork is fishing "like the old days" according to most seasoned Fork anglers. This is great news after several down years on this wonderful river. PMDs, Flavs, caddis and more are bringing up big rainbows both above and below the Harriman Ranch.

The Firehole River is still fishing well. On most years the river shuts down around the 4th of July due to warming water conditions. This year though it is still fishing well during morning and late day White Miller caddis action.

While the Lamar River is still flowing high there is hope for its clearing soon. Soda Butte is just now clearing and fishing. Slough Creek is seeing gray drakes and PMDs and the trout are rising to them. Pebble Creek is fishing well as is the Gardner River.

Lake activity has been spotty but Hebgen's Callibaetis are now coming off and Henry's has fished well. Elk and Hidden are our sleepers for this week. Callibaetis will emerge on both of these fine lakes and the trout will rise to them.

The main question this week will be if the Yellowstone River above the falls will fish on the opener, July 15th. While the water is high we remain optimistic that the cutts will rise to salmon flies! Stay tuned for next week's report on this.

Until then please call or email with questions on flies, materials and gear - that's what we are here for! I have to get back to the Yellowstone Park Foundation function; if you were not able to attend this year, keep tuned in for our report on it as well as announcing next year's date for this fun event. And, to see who won the raffle on the limited edition fly reel!

July 1, 2009 Fishing Report Craig Mathews

With 7 species of mayflies, at least 6 different caddis flies, and a few stoneflies emerging now in Yellowstone country, it should not be hard to find fish rising to stream born insects in and on area waters! The rivers are dropping and clearing and the insects are hatching, so now is a great time to be fishing the West Yellowstone area. Caddis flies are still emerging in good number on the Firehole River. The river is in great shape. It has not warmed too much as it often does by this time of the season. The trout rise daily to sparse emergences of PMDs in the morning and great caddis activity during the late afternoon and evening hours. Over the next 10-12 weeks caddis flies will bring on daily rises of trout to their emergences and egg laying periods on all area rivers and streams. In Gary LaFontaine's book Caddisflies he indicates three simple signs of caddis emerging. First, trout occasionally are seen leaping in the air as they chase emerging caddis pupae. Secondly, there are NO caddis on the water. Here, even during a heavy hatch adult caddis are almost impossible to see drifting on the surface. Third, in fast water trout riseforms might be bulges and slashes but in slower water you will often see quiet dimples, porpoise rolls or tails breaking the surface. These helpful signs are worth remembering and can save anglers frustration and will result in more success on the water!

The Henry's Fork is on fire! With lots of good rising fish that is. Here is Minori's report from just a couple days back. Box Canyon: Small beadhead nymphs are good. Size 16 Zebra midge, prince nymph, pheasant tail. Last Chance/Railroad Ranch/Wood Road 16: The Green Drakes have been hatching on this section of the river over the past couple of days and the fish have been taking adult and emerger imitations. There are also plenty of PMDs and caddis along with a few Flavs. Ashton to Saint Anthony: This section of the Henry's Fork has been fishing very well due to the presence of the Gray Drakes and Flavs.

The Madison River below Earthquake Lake is fishing very well now. Salmon flies and golden stones are coming off from Varney Bridge upstream to Ruby Creek. "The Hatch" is just now strengthening after sputtering along last week in the cool-wet weather conditions. Both goldens and giants are coming off and the activity should move upstream a few miles a day over the following week to 10 days. Evening caddis emergences are on now too, from 8pm to dark. PMDs and Epeorus mayflies are just getting started above Wolf Creek. Morning PMD emergences and spinner falls along with late day Epeorus hatches and their evening spinner falls combine to bring on some very exciting dry fly fishing provided you have the proper fly patterns. For salmon flies and golden stones I prefer a Sunken Stone pattern, or a huge orange Goddard Caddis. PMDs are best imitated by Sparkle Duns and BRF Cripples, #16. If you enjoy mornings on the river look for PMD spinner falls around $3.00 Bridge and Raynold's. Big browns will work PMD nymphs as they drift along the shoreline in preparation to hatch. If you are lucky enough to have a PMD Foam Nymph you can take a few very large browns if you patiently walk the shore and spot cruising browns feeding on the nymphs prior to the hatch. Epeorus are best imitated by our soft hackle Epeorus emerger and sparkle dun. The spinners of this beautiful mayfly are a pinkish-cinnamon color so have one in #16 for late evening fishing from now until September. Caddis patterns should include Iris, X and X2 along with spent sparkle or deer hair all in 14-16 sizes. Don't forget to bring along some ICU Craneflies - you'll be needing these too. I'll see you on the river every night from now through August!

The Firehole River is fishing very well. PMDs and caddis along with a smattering of Baetis and midge emergences will all bring trout to the top. Damsel and Dragon flies are coming off now too and big trout, mostly browns, will come up for them around the Muleshoe Bend-Midway area. Caddis activity is the strongest and best bet to meet rising trout all the way from the Firehole Picnic Area upstream to Biscuit Basin. Morning PMD spinner falls are fun to fish too, from 8am to noon in selected spots. One sure thing is to arrive on the river around 5pm and rig with a beadhead caddis emerger trailing a white miller soft hackle or similar pattern. This tandem will produce until you begin to see trout flying out of the water chasing emerging caddis around 7-8pm. At this time put on an Iris and White Miller (Oecetis) Cripple and you will take several good trout during the next two hours, I guarantee! Don't forget to try a foam damsel or dragon pattern for exciting dry fly fishing in the afternoon hours.

The Madison in the Park is fishing well during morning pmd spinner falls from 8-10am. Olive foam or sparkle spinners in #16-18 will work best. Around talus Slide and upstream to the junction you should have good caddis in the late evenings too. Have the same flies here as you'd have for the Firehole.

The Gallatin in the Park is just beginning to fish. This week, as waters warm up from 41 to 50, look for stones and caddis along with PMDs to emerge. This river struggles to warm on the upper stretches which are clear now, but when it does warm it is a great early summer river to experience.

Soda Butte and the Lamar River are still too high but Slough should begin to fish late this week. On the lower stretch you will have pmds and caddis and a giant stone might come off now too. The early season can be very productive on the water below the campground.

Trout Lake should be on your list, just so you can see the three otters working over the post- spawning trout. Anglers are doing well here with Callibaetis nymphs and tiny leeches in rust and burgundy.

The Gardner River is just beginning to fish well. Salmon flies and golden stones are emerging along with little yellow stones and caddis. While the flow is still strong and wading might be out of the question for most, the fish are willing and rising along the bank.

The Gibbon River can be counted on for fun fishing, particularly for the beginning angler. We like the canyon stretches using Old Yeller Sallies and lime sparkle trudes for great pocket water action. Too, while the fish in the meadow stretches are about as tough as they come, they can be very rewarding for anglers willing to make the hike, patiently stalk the banks, and present a pinpoint accurate cast to cruising browns.

Elk and Hidden Lakes are fishing very well. While the fish on Elk are not huge, averaging 14", they fight well and the scenery is worth the trip. Hidden Lake's Callibaetis are coming off so have #15 sparkle duns and spinners there.

Cliff Lake is fishing very well, although it's been crowded lately since the word is out on how good it has been. Wade Lake will see damsels come off this week along with the first good Callibaetis of the summer. Hint: have light olive or tan damsel nymphs with little or no weight, as the larger fish cruise near the surface and will not go down for any natural or fly pattern below them as they cruise along nymphing.

Hebgen Lake has fished very well this past week. Tiny, #22, midge pupae patterns have fished the best. We like to cruise the lake searching for pods of 4-10 fish patrolling along and feeding on swarms of midge pupae ascending to the surface to emerge. The fish will take the tiny pupa patterns with such confidence they set the hook for you; all you need to do is tighten up when you feel them moving off with your fly in their mouth.

Got a bit long winded with this report, but the fishing is just getting that good! Please stop by on July 10th for our open house when we welcome The Yellowstone Park Foundation and representatives from our park to discuss fisheries programs in the park. For more see the following in this newletter.

 

23 June 2009 BRF Fishing Report

The past several days have been cold and damp but the forecast is for clearing and much warmer temperatures. Salmon flies are emerging below Ennis. The head of the hatch will near the town later this week and should progress upstream to Quake Lake in the 10-14 days ahead. The evening caddis have started too. I had a fine evening fishing with Mark Hurwitz a few eves back when we saw the first rises to evening caddis of the summer. Baetis are still emerging on the Madison too. The Firehole is still giving up wave after wave of White Miller caddis and although the pale morning duns are waning now the caddis activity continues to bring on great rises of trout to their activity. Most area rivers are in good dry-fly fishing shape so get out and enjoy some fine fishing in the summer sun!

The Firehole River continues to fish well, and should continue to do so until at least the 4th of July. Pale morning duns and Baetis are still bringing up fish to their activity. White Miller, Little Black, and Hydropsyche sp. caddis flies are coming off in good number and the browns and rainbows are taking them well too. The river is fishing all along its course from The Broads upstream to Biscuit Basin. Best flies include the White Miller Cripple, Iris and Spent Deer Hair along with sparkle duns, cripples and spinners for mayfly times.

The Madison in the park is seeing wonderful pmd spinner falls from 9am to noon. Pale morning duns emerge on this river from 11am to 4pm, sporadically on bright days, better concentrated on overcast afternoons. Little yellow stones are emerging and egg-laying now too from the junction downstream to Shakey’s run so be prepared.

The Gibbon River has been great during pmd and caddis periods in the upper meadows. The lower river has fished very well with little yellow stones, caddis and golden stones below the falls.

The Gardner River’s giant and golden stones are now emerging and bringing up some nice trout above the junction pool.

Buggers, Shop Vacs and big rubber legged stones are all producing well on the upper Gallatin River in the park. The river below Taylor Fork is still very much in run off condition and will not fish well for another week to 10 days. When it clears the fishing will be grand!

Smaller tribs like Grayling and Bacon Rind and Fan Creek are coming into shape now and fishing well. Grab a canister of bear spray and head to these smaller waters with attractor dries like trudes and Wulffs and stimies for fun fishing.

The Madison River below Quake Lake is fishing very well. #16 $3.00 Dips, McKee Stones, Shop Vacs, Triggers and Baetis Nymphs are all producing well. Evening caddis have begun in selected spots on the river and Iris and X caddis patterns have brought up some very nice browns and rainbows from 7 to 9pm. The salmon flies have started to hatch below Ennis, Mt and should show up around Varney later in the week. Water temps have warmed from the high 40’s into the low to mid-50’s, mayflies and caddis are coming off and the trout are rising to them  so now is the time to get to the Madison and score some very nice trout.

The Henry’s Fork is fishing fine below Ashton, Idaho during pmd and green drake emergences during the mornings and caddis in late afternoon and evening hours. The river in and around the Harriman Ranch has been spotty. Green drakes and pmds are coming off on the ranch and near Pine Haven and, it seems, every other day the larger rainbows rise to them. You have to commit to a couple days checking this great river out in order to be successful but once you locate a big rising rainbow it will come to your presentation provided its on a drag-free float and with the right fly…check with us for the right flies!

Brookie enthusiasts will do well on Blacktail Deer and Lava Creeks. Still, Soda and Slough along with the Lamar River are all off color and unfishable but Slough creek might fish next week.

Henry’s Lake continues to surrender huge hybrids and plump brook trout. Engle’s Soft Hackles are working best on the larger trout along with our Callibaetis Beadhead Nymphs.

Hebgen’s midge fishing has slowed in the cool-wet weather conditions. The same with Cliff and Wade and Hidden and Elk but all should rebound with the warmer weather coming in.

In the park try Trout Lake for some fine rainbows and now might be a fine time to explore Grebe for grayling.

 

15 June 2009 BRF Fishing Report

The fishing has been superb. Rivers like the Madison, Firehole, Gardner and Gibbon are all fishing well. The lower Madison, below Earthquake Lake, has cleared and is fishing very well both with dries and nymphs.  We are seeing an old fashion June and seem to be on track to meet the average 26 overcast-rainy days during the 30 days in the month. We all know that this weather brings on the strongest mayfly emergences and we haven’t been disappointed so far in June. We have had tremendous mayfly hatches and dry fly fishing during their time on the water.There’s a lot to report so let’s cut to it.

Let’s not forget dear old dad this Sunday either! Bring him into BRF and receive a nice Father’s Day gift courtesy of us all here at Blue Ribbon Flies! HAPPY FATHERS DAY all you dads!  

The Madison in the park is fishing very well during pale morning dun and Baetis mayfly emergences. I saw one gray drake this afternoon and we are hoping for a fishable hatch of these large mayflies this year…they bring up so very big browns!  The  White Millers are emerging and so are salmon flies. The river has come down and cleared and the fish are looking up.  One hint here is even though larger, #16, pmds might be on the water the fish still might key on smaller Baetis mayflies. I have witnessed this daily this past week and had to switch from pmd to Baetis Sparkle Duns several times in order to fool larger browns. Another tip is to try the new Suppleflex tippets from Rio. This amazingly soft and supple tippet allows you to defeat drag and will increase your drift and result in more hookups with larger fish! Try it and if you don’t find it helps I will buy it back from you. Today I had a banner day on this river. Arriving at noon I saw the first pmds roll off around 1pm and by 2 every fish in the river seemed to rise to them. Browns 14-16” along with a few rainbows up to 13” rose all along the river and my fly fishing log now shows 4 well chewed pmd sparkle duns and 2 Baetis sparkle duns which took a dozen or 2 great trout in the on and off rainy weather.

The Firehole has been incredible. While pale morning duns and Baetis are still emerging the fish seem to want caddis now. The river is fishing along it entire length now, from the canyon upstream to Biscuit Basin. Salmon flies can still be found in the canyon a full 2 weeks later than most years. Flies that have worked well include White Miller Soft Hackles, beaded caddis soft hackle emergers, pmd and Baetis Sparkle Duns, Sunken Stones, Little Yeller Sallies, and X Caddis. On some days it doesn’t seem to matter what fly you present as long as its an Iris Caddis or appropriate sparkle dun. Always be prepared for pmd spinner falls 9am to noon too.

The Gardner River is still bank full but clearing and the fish are looking for stone nymphs like the McKee and big Royal Wulffs. Be on the lookout for the salmon fly and golden stone emergences to begin soon.

The Gibbon River is fishing well in both the upper as well as lower meadows. Baetis and pmds are coming off and so are evening caddis. On the canyon stretches the golden stones should show this week as well as the little yellow stones and the fish will rose to them.

The Gallatin River in the park as well as Grayling Creek are fishing well now. The water on both is clear and fish come up for Stimies and PMX’s. Stone nymphs should be tried too, with a red Serendipity trailer.

Its still not too late to try Hebgen Lake’s midge fishing with our huge midge pupae. Some very nice browns and rainbows are coming to this fly all along the north shore. Those anglers trying the south shore should do well with leeches and buggers until the weeds come up and the Callibaetis come off!

Henry’s Lake is giving up some huge fish. 3 lbs. plus brookies and some hybrids over 13 lbs are being taken on small flashback PT’s, Feather Dusters and Callibaetis Beadhead Nymphs.

Elk Lake is fishing well and Hidden Lake opened today. Anglers should see Callibaetis this weekend on Hidden. Sparrows and burgundy leeches will produce on both.

Yellowstone Lake????

The Madison River below Quake Lake is fishing very well. The river is clear and the water is warming and evening caddis should begin any day. In the meantime $3.00 Dips in both brown and zebra, Ruby and Micro-Madisons are producing. March Brown and Baetis mayflies are emerging all along the river as are midges so be prepared to fish them all. Float fishing has been very good from Lyon downstream to 8 Mile with nymphs and streamers.

Hint for all you dry fly fishers: I always pre-treat my dries with Watershed. When you are tying keep a vial at your desk and treat each dry out of your vise. If buying flies treat them and let them dry over night. The next time you fish these flies they will float all day long! After each fish dry your fly then apply a dab or 2 of Frog’s Fanny and you are ready for another rising trout, it’s that easy! Ends the frustration of your dries sinking and you will catch more fish!

Weekly Fishing Report, 8 June 2009

After several days of rain and snow with strong Baetis and pale morning dun emergences  it will seem good to get into a warmer-drier  weather pattern and see evening caddis activity although it does not look like we will break the perfect PMD conditions for the next several days. Rain and snow remain in the forecast so be ready to roll with plenty of Baetis and PMD patterns for the Firehole and Madison River in the park. Daily hatches occur late in the day, often as late as 3pm, so don’t leave the river to early or you will surely be disappointed if fishing dry flies to rising trout is your game!

 The Madison downstream of Quake Lake is clearing and some very good dry fly fishing is occurring now below Raynold’s Bridge. Nymphing and streamer fishing is great here too.  The river is fishing now all the way downstream to Ennis and float trips are having wonderful success. Look for caddis to begin soon. The $3.00 Dip is still the fly to nymph with although stones, midges and caddis pupae are also commanding some great catches too. For dries the March Browns and Baetis mayflies are showing up all along the river in selected spots so be prepared.

The Henry’s Fork is still giving up some stonefly activity around Chester and Box Canyon although this will slow down now. On the open to fishing stretch at Last Chance you can expect caddis and Baetis and some very nice rising rainbows.

The Firehole is still fishing best from The Broads upstream to Midway. The river is still very cold with water temps only reaching into the mid-50’s near Fountain Flats Drive. Pale Morning Duns and Baetis along with 4 species of caddis, midges and stones are bringing trout to the surface now. Look for salmon flies in the canyon to finish up this week, on a sunny day if we get one. Upstream you will need White Miller Soft Hackles and X Caddis along with Iris and spent deer hair caddis too. Sparkle duns and cripples are working very well for the mayfly activity.

The Madison in the park is just warming and dropping enough to allow good dry fly fishing during pmds and stonefly times. The Giant Stone is due this week from the junction downstream to the Barns Pools. Favorite spots of ours include the Riverside Drive area as well as Talus Side and upper Haynes…beware of the bear! PMDs will emerge daily around 3-4pm so it works to fish the Firehole’s pmds first and on your way out of the park look for risers and pull over and fish another pmd emergence on the Madison! Caddisflies should begin on the river this week too, provided the rains and snows cease and it warms up into the 50’s. Big stone nymphs and streamers can bring on some good activity now also.

The Gibbon has fished on the lower reaches with nymphs and buggers. Golden stones might come off late this coming week so be ready.

Hebgen’s midges are in a holding pattern due to the cool-wet weather but Henry’s Lake has fished well and the same is true with Cliff and Wade Lakes. Lewis Lake should be explored now too, the lower lake near the outlet.  Henry’s Lake has fished very well. Bill Schiess flies are working and we just dyed up some BS Brown Saddles and pick one up for tying some of Bill’s favorite flies.

 

BRF’s May 26th, 2009 weekly Report

We were mostly wrong in our last week’s forecast. We predicted the Firehole River would be high and muddy and be strictly a streamer fishing proposition on opening weekend. While the river was high and a bit turbid it did fish, in places, with dry flies and soft hackles.

It should come into better dry-fly shape with each day so look for some very good pale morning dun and Baetis mayfly activity along with a couple caddis species to bring the trout to the surface.  As long as temps reach only into the 60’s during the day and 30’s at night the runoff should continue to be measured and create good conditions for the dry fly anglers.

The Firehole River’s pale morning duns are just now beginning to come off and should continue to bring up good rises of trout over the next month to 6 weeks. Also Baetis mayflies and caddis like the Hydropscyhe, Glossosoma and Necopscyhe sp. too. Soft hackles like Nick’s Ephemerella Soft Hackle and beaded PT and Partridge and Peacock will all work well when trout are not coming up. When the fish are rising to the above hatches have PMD Sparkle Duns and emergers, Iris and X Caddis and White Miller Soft Hackles. Activity gets going after noon so take your time, have a nice breakfast, stop in for flies and get to the river around noon!

The Madison in the park is still high and off-color but fishing well with streamers, same with the lower Gibbon below the falls. As runoff subsides on waters like Grayling Creek and the upper Gallatin look for them to fish too. As always, it is best to call us before making the drive.

The Madison River between the lakes is mostly a circus now as it is some of the only clean water in the state. Lots of anglers and while you may catch a spawned out rainbow in poor shape its best to leave the alone and get back in shape after their spawning ordeal…there are better places now to fish!

The Madison from Quake Lake downstream to the West Fork is high and stained but the fishing is grand if you like nymphing and streamer fishing. You might come on a selected area with rising trout and if so they will be on Mother’s Day Caddis or Baetis and March Brown mayflies. Mostly though, it’ll be #14 Beadhead $3.00 Serendipities and olive or brown rubber legged stones on the banks and you will have banner days here. I fished the other day and as I drove away from the river after a most success afternoon of nymphing I looked out my truck window at a pocket gopher’s fresh diggings and noted a beautiful arrowhead shinning in the afternoon sun. What a great way to end a fine day on the river.

The Gallatin might fish for you too, upstream of Taylor Fork, with big stone nymphs but I’d give if another week or two.  

The Henry’s Fork is fishing Warm River to Ashton, Idaho and Riverside and Box Canyon areas during salmon fly times. It is just now beginning to check with Minori here at the shop as she keeps close tabs on the Fork this time of year!

Henry’s Lake opened last Saturday and those in the know are closed mouth about how big of fish they have landed since. The pelicans are on the lake in huge numbers so you might have to fight them off for a hooked trout by if you want to take a large hybrid is a pretty good time to do so! Small leeches and PT Flashbacks can be counted on.,

Hebgen Lake’s midges are going well, both during the mornings and eves. On our daily trips into work at 7AM we keep tabs on how many rising trout we see…and it has been a few and more each day! You must have the right flies for success and we have them.

Cliff and Wade Lakes both continue to fish well. Cliff’s rainbows are coming well to rust colored Slump Busters and our crayfish patterns. Wade’s rainbows are hammering olive Bow Buggers and leeches.

May 20th, 2009

Bucky McCormick

Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison in the park: It looks like it will be another big water opener for Yellowstone this year. As of last night all three of these rivers were extremely high and off colored. At this time last year we thought there would be no chance of any dry fly fishing on the Firehole and were pleasantly surprised by a fair hatch of pmd’s and rising trout. One never can say for sure. If the water remains in its current condition one will want to have a few large streamer patterns. Woolhead Sculpins would be a good choice.

Madison River (between Hebgen and Quake Lakes): The river from the dam to cabin Creek remains clear and fishing well. Rubberleg nymphs, San Juan worms, Orange Scuds (eggs), and zebra Midge patterns have all been taking fish. Below Cabin Creek the river is dirty.

Madison River (below Quake Lake): Quake Lake is quickly turning dirty. I will guess that by the time this goes into print the river will be in full runoff. If the river remains clear the following patterns have been working well: Rubberleg Nymphs, San Juan Worms, egg patterns, Zebra midges, and Baetis Nymphs.

Gallatin River: High and dirty.

Henry’s Fork: The Idaho fishing season opens this weekend. Box Canyon, Last chance, and below the Harriman should still be in good shape. Salmon flies are due to hatch in the next week to 10 days, so a Rubberleg nymph would be a good fly to start with. Baetis nymphs trailed behind would also be a good choice.

Hebgen Lake: Streamers and leech patterns have been working very well along the north shore. One need not wade very far from the bank to find a few willing participates. The Midges have not started in earnest as of yet, but should begin within the next week or so. Zebra Midges along with Chan Choronimde pupa will work below the surface. For dry fly patterns a Zelon midge, Griffiths Gnat, and small Parachute Adams are always a good bet.

 

December 4, 2008 Craig Mathews

7 degrees here this morning, with a north wind. I will not fish today. Today I'll get my fly tying orders together. One is for January 1st, the other due May 15th. I'll collect all the materials for each pattern and get cracking on the flies! It is forecast to warm up this weekend to the low 30's and I will fish again then. But, in the meantime I will get ready for serious fly ting during the next several months.

I will tie over 600 dozen flies in the next 5 months for BRF. I'll also crank out 50-60 dozen for myself. This is the time for all tyers to make a list of flies they'll need for the upcoming year. It's time too to check supplies of hooks, hackle, threads, dubbings, soft hackle and other materials needed to tie with. Make the list of needed things, and purchase those items so you can get cranking on your flies too! I have always found it best to begin by making the list of flies I need, or want to experiment with, and assemble the materials I will need, then get tying in early winter to pass the long, cold winter months and hone my tying skills.

The Madison has continued to fish well during midge times. Last Sunday I was on the river from 2-4p.m. when midges emerged and trout rose in nearly every pool below $3 Bridge. As I landed a beautiful 18" male brown that was rising next to a rock in shallow water 34 elk crossed the river at my spot. I watched them head up the hill and out of sight as the temperatures fell and midges quit for the day. A great way to end an afternoon filled with lots of 12-18" rising trout.

Midges will continue to bring up the trout here, and also on rivers like the Gallatin, Yellowstone, Beaverhead and Ruby so stay tuned here for more fishing reports and fly tying notes!

It is 7a.m. and I am heading to my fly tying desk to get to some serious fly-tying. I'd do the same if I were you; it's only 6 months until Yellowstone National Park opens to fishing! Think of the flies you can tie between now and then. Too, pick up a few good fly fishing and fly-tying books to pass the long winter's evenings away while you think of all the fun you'll have with all those flies you'll get tied!

November 24, 2008 Craig Mathews

Jackie, Bucky and I headed to the Beaverhead yesterday to fish the river during midge time, noon to 4p.m. The weather was warm, calm and sunny. The midges came off but the fish were very spooky and hard to approach with the bright conditions. Still we had a great day and took several nice trout. You can even see a photo or two of our day here.

Jackie and I are hosting a week of fishing at Turneffe Flats in Belize and will get you the information on the week we'll be there and more in the next report. If interested call today to avoid disappointment if you might want to join us on our trip to catch bonefish, permit, tarpon and more!

We are wrapping up our 2009 catalogue which goes to the printers next week, and should be to you the first week of January. Our fly orders are being sent to our tyers. Bucky and I are working on materials, tying lots of flies, and getting ready for the long winter months here in Yellowstone.

Our weather continues to be sunny and relatively warm. Midges are coming off all area rivers and the fish are rising to them. Let's look at the fishing, but do Montana's general fishing season is open through November 30th. Streams like the South Fork of the Madison CLOSE then. Check with us or read the regs!

The Madison has fished well. Weather forecasters are calling for continued warm temps with a shot of rain here and there. The midge fishing has been superb. No one on the river except a couple of locals like us! Small nymphs are producing during non-hatch periods. When midges are on the water and the trout rising you must use long leaders and 6x tippets with #22 Zelon Midges, although sometimes a #22 Adams works as does a #22 Baetis Sparkle Dun. Best places on the river are at Raynolds Bridge and below $3.00 Bridge.

The Gallatin is fishing like the Madison. But the trout may be easier to fool! Same flies. Best places are near Greek Creek, Porcupine, and the Taylors Fork area.

Henry's Lake is open through Nov 30th but the ice along the shoreline and windy conditions make it tough to fish. There are better places, but boy the lake fished well!

Henry's Fork has been slow. The Beaverhead and Ruby along with the Yellowstone and Missouri are all fishing fine when midge are active, or streamers will work anytime.

Until next week, call or email us with any questions.

 

November 17, 2008 Craig Mathews

This week's weather forecast couldn't be better, if you are planning on fishing this area! If, however, you were planning on cross skiing or chasing elk you may want to change your plans. The forecast calls for 40s and 50s through the week! This means rising trout from the West Fork to Raynolds Bridge. The river too is fishing very well between the lakes with nymphs and small streamers.

The Madison River from Highway 191 to Hebgen Lake has been great with leeches and streamer patterns. The fish do not seem too fussy right now as there is no fishing pressure. Most anglers have long forgotten about spawner fishing and are concentrating on big game and waterfowl, but the river is full of run-up browns and rainbows and you have a few days before the season closes. The river is open through the 30th of November so give it a try! Make sure you are wearing hunters' orange clothing so hunters can see you.

The Madison between the lakes is fishing well now too. Try nymphs like Red $3.00 Dips and large rubber legged stones. Small streamers like Platte River Specials and Bow River Buggers in olive and white can be counted on to bring some very nice browns to the fly.

The Madison below Raynolds Bridge and downstream to Lyon is fishing very well now during midge times, noon to 4 p.m. daily. #20-22 Improved Zelon Midges, Griffiths Gnat Emergers and standard Griffiths are working very well. The water is very low and the fish are touchy so you must be very stealthy in your approach and presentation, but the rewards are great! The river below Lyon is fishing, but this time of year we often see windy conditions from Lyon downstream to Ennis so be prepared! This stretch is usually a nymphing or streamer proposition.

The Gallatin has fished very well around Big Sky during midge times. You can expect lots of rising trout and, while pattern might not be as critical on this river as on others, the presentation has to be perfect or you'll put the rising fish down. Nymphing is good all along the river.

Now is the time to consider a road trip to the Missouri, Beaverhead, or Ruby. Get outta town and fish dry flies on all these fine streams.

Give us a call and let's talk fishing, flies, materials, gear, or whatever! It's lonely in November here in Yellowstone!

 

November 11, 2008 Craig Mathews

Rain and snow daily with more in the forecast. Tremendous midge fishing with some Baetis too. We are taking road trips lately to fish, while we wait for the snow to come and the elk to move in! We are not only fishing the Madison River but pulling short drives to the Beaverhead and Ruby, Gallatin and Yellowstone Rivers too.

Our Belize and Mexico trips in late February and March still have a few openings for the first time since we began offering them over 20 years ago. Most certainly a sign of these tough times, but we have to get our sun and saltwater fix. We are going, so why not come along!? If interested in catching bonefish, tarpon, permit and other saltwater species and being part of a hosted Blue Ribbon Flies trip where it will be warm and sunny in the winter months, call us today! I'm tying my special Bonefish Bitters for these trips, and for any other locales you might explore, so call and reserve my time to tie some up for you too.

For the discriminating fly tyer, our ruffed grouse skins are dried and ready to tie with. These absolutely gorgeous skins with gray and brown feathers of Montana phases of Ruffed Grouse are spectacular for soft hackles and tailing and legging nymphs and more. And, our Hungarian Partridge skins are coming in now too, from local hunters, and they are beautiful. Many tyers asked that we put a notice in this report, so they can be the first to score our most special-prime skins.

Our 2009 catalogue is in the works; it will be in the mail around the first of the year. In the meantime, check out our "Christmas on the Web" which has just been launched on our web site, www.blueribbonflies.com. Cam has worked very hard on this site and appreciates your feedback on it! Multi-talented, this kid runs our guide service all season, and does our web stuff all year too! Bucky and I are ordering flies from our tyers, processing materials and writing our part of the '09 catalogue. Jackie and Jen are working to produce the final version of the 2009 catalogue along with writing their parts for it, and more. John has several of his incredible photos in it, many of which are for sale, so stay tuned.

One last item, today Craig and Tom Morgan of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths agreed to work together along with talented fly tyer Rene Harrop to produce a book of Tom's stories and fly patterns. Stay tuned with this report as the number will be very limited - more on this incredible project in the near future.

The Madison River has fished very well lately during midge emergences from noon to 4p.m. The best stretches have been above and below $3.00 Bridge and on the lower river from Ennis Dam downstream. The spawner fishing has been good too, below Highway 191. REMEMBER Yellowstone Park's Fishing Season is CLOSED and you will be ticketed if caught fishing in the Park.

The Gallatin River is fishing well too. There are still a few Baetis mayflies emerging from the Park line to Squaw Creek but it is midges that are bringing up the trout now all along the river from the Park to Three Forks.

Road trip fishing has been superb. Bucky and I have fished the Beaverhead and Ruby lately during midge times, and the fish are "easy". The same with the Yellowstone near Livingston. Best flies for midges continue to be the Griffith's Gnat Emergers, Zelon Midges, and Scotty's Skittering Midge. Small nymphs have been deadly too, flies like Slough Creek Midge Larva, brown $3.00 Dips and more. Call and let's talk about the options in Southwestern Montana!

November 2, 2008 Craig Mathews

The snow is falling tonight here in Yellowstone country. Forecasts call for as much as 4 inches here in the valley, with over a foot above 7000'.

This afternoon I pulled a big hike above the Madison Valley floor looking for elk. It is season, and has been for over a week but warm temperatures and dry conditions have kept me off the mountain. Last night it rained, and this afternoon we saw some snow flurries with much cooler temps so I set out to look for animals. I saw one cow elk, and heard a bull bugle, and since the forecast is for snow tonight I will get up 2 hours before dawn tomorrow and set out up the mountain.

I have fished several times in the last 2 weeks and it has been great. The Yellowstone Park fishing season is closed until next May but there are plenty of options still available and we will be on the water a lot during the following several weeks and months.

We will begin offering a "Guides' Corner" in this email report, brought to you by one of our guides throughout the winter and into next spring. This section of our report will be filled with tips and information from our guides so stay tuned!

And, check out our "You Tube" piece on Climate Change we did for PBS and the Weather Channel, on how climate change may affect our sport. There will be more of these pieces to follow too. The link is http://www.youtube.com/user/climatecentraldotorg.

The Madison River downstream of Yellowstone National Park to Hebgen Lake is open through November. There are plenty of fish in the river, both brown and rainbow trout up from the lake and they are looking for streamers and big soft hackles now. The run has been late this fall, but the fish are in so give this area a try with large streamers like Platte River Specials and SculpZillas, Light Spruce and Bow River Buggers.

The river below Hebgen Dam and downstream to Earthquake Lake is fishing very well. Here please limit your time and catch. The river is low and clear and the fish very eager so take one or two and head downstream, below Quake and fish dries to rising trout taking midges from Raynold's Pass Bridge to Lyon. Below Lyon and all the way to Ennis you can expect fine action using rubber legs and large sculpin patterns.

The Gallatin River has fished very well from the park line downstream to Bozeman. Midges and Baetis mayflies are still emerging and the nymphing has been superb.

The Henry's Fork is fishing too, below Ashton, Idaho. Midges and Baetis are coming off and the fish are taking them on the surface.

In the meantime, Jen, Cam and Jackie are working hard on updating our web site and putting together the BRF 2009 catalogue. Our fly tyers are busy tying up new patterns for the catalogue and Bucky and I are preparing bird skins and elk and deer hides for the coming year. This report will be expanded, as will our web site so you will want to check it often! Hope to hear from you all soon, and THANK YOU for your kindness and support this year and into the next!

 

27 October 2008 Craig Mathews

How about the fishing? There are few anglers here now so if you come for the last week of the Yellowstone Park fishing season you might be alone on rivers like the Firehole, Madison, Gibbon, and Lamar in the Park. On these rivers the fishing has been good. Let's look at them individually, along with other waters outside the park. REMEMBER, the fishing season in Yellowstone National Park is open through next Sunday, November 2, 2008.

The Madison River in the Park has fished well for run-up browns and rainbows. The only new fly you might need is the Bakers Hole Bugger, this according to the guy how first showed it to us, Steve Smith from Iowa who is here fishing the river now, and reports good action with his fly!

The Firehole River is fishing well now also. Our good friends from Salt Lake are here now having fine action during caddis times in the afternoons. There are still plenty of Baetis mayflies emerging but the fish look for caddis on sunny afternoons which have been the rule lately. If we see clouds this week be Baetis-prepared!

The Gibbon River will surprise most anglers now with the number of brown trout up from Hebgen Lake in its reaches below the falls. These fish come to big brown and reddish brown rubber-legged stone nymphs.

The same can be said for the Gardner River above its confluence with the Yellowstone. You might come on pools and runs with many pre-spawning trout holding, take a fish or two then move on to allow these fish less stress and a rest before spawning. While it is often tempting to remain in a pool full of trout catching and releasing several fine fish, talk yourself into moving in respect of the trout and their time to spawn.

The Gallatin River has fished well this past week. Contrary to what we usually say about Baetis emergences, this past week they came off best on clear days rather than when overcast conditions prevailed. The river now fishes best below Big Sky.

Soda Butte and lower Slough Creek are still fishing, and by the looks of the weather forecast for this week they should continue to offer up some fine dry-fly fishing until the end of the Park season. Searching the water with midges and ants along with Drake Mackeral flies will all produce. Along these streams you might hear howling wolves, and see them too if you get to these waters by 8a.m. We do NOT recommend your fishing until 10-11a.m. so bring your camera and take some great shots of wolves, bison, and elk along the way. There is still a griz and wolves hanging around a kill (bull elk) near north Twin Lake.

The Madison River below Hebgen Dam is fishing well with small nymphs and streamers. The water is low and the fish are shy on bright days, but presenting small PT's and Krystal Serendipites has been effective for some very large trout.

The Madison River below Earthquake Lake has fished well also using small Baetis nymphs. Baetis mayflies and midges might bring trout to the surface during the afternoon hours. Terry Middleton and I had a fun afternoon this past Tuesday when midges emerged from noon to 2p.m. followed by a sporadic Baetis hatch which continued to bring up nice rainbows until it ended at 4p.m. Floating the river from Lyon downstream to Ennis has been great using small wooly buggers and sculpin streamers.

Jen and Jackie are working on the 2009 catalogue, Cam is cranking along on web site updates, John and Bucky and I are writing for the catalogue along with tying flies and preparing bird skins like huns, quail, and grouse for the upcoming season. Now we begin the tedious search for the best elk, moose and deer hides and getting them tanned. It is time to think about settling in for the long winter season of tying and materials, skiing and snowshoeing, and hoping for a few afternoons of midge fishing on the river! We will keep you posted here so stay tuned in.

20 October 2008 Craig Mathews

You gotta love this time of year when anglers stop in the shop and complain that they are "catching nothing but big fish", and "isn't there somewhere we can go and catch some smaller fish?" Tongue in cheek, they stop in daily to replenish their supply of special streamers, nymphs and fall soft hackles and go forth catching more big trout! The fishing has been awesome, for big fish! We have had some very good dry-fly fishing as well as good fishing with streamers and nymphs, soft hackles and skating muddlers.

I head off to The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Program's media summit this weekend. Blue Ribbon along with Patagonia and Beretta are sponsoring the event near the Missouri River and Craig, Mt. The program promises to bring some wonderful conservation news, 1% for the Planet information, wildlife corridor initiatives, and much, much more. I'll fill you in with the next report, all good stuff and great news for anglers and sportsmen and women who value wild trout and wild places. In the meantime, at BRF, we are working on our 2009 catalogue, new flies and materials and other things. It is a great time of the year. Now let's look at the fishing.

The Firehole River is great now, as long as you like to catch rainbows and brown trout as they rise to Baetis mayflies and caddis, or don't mind swinging soft hackles. The Park's fishing season comes to a close in 2 weeks so you should come and experience the fall fishing on the river. If you want large trout on streamers and nymphs then try Firehole Canyon for the run-up fish from Hebgen Lake. The river in this stretch is full of browns and rainbows up from the lake and they are taking large flies well from the river's junction with the Gibbon upstream to Firehole Falls. When the trout are rising to Baetis you must present a #20-22 ICU or Sparkle Dun on 6x with a drag-free float. Best caddis flies to have are Iris and X2, #16 olive or tan.

The Madison River in the Park has fished fairly well this past week. Cloudy days are always best and the larger fall run fish are in the upper reaches now, above 9 Mile Hold. Best streamers are big and brown with some yellow in them, such as the Platte River or Bakers Hole Bugger. Swinging September Song soft hackles or Shakey Bealeys will work well too, especially on brighter days. Be vigilant for fish rising to Baetis in the slow water sections both above and below 7 Mile Bridge.

The Lamar River and Slough Creek continue to fish well. Even though the big drakes are history the fish continue to look for them so a Drake Mackeral Cripple or sparkle dun works. When the larger trout are rising to Baetis you must present a #20-22 imitation like we discussed for the Firehole on a long leader with a drag-free presentation. We are forecast to have some very nice weather later this week so be prepared to fish hoppers and beetles, ants and bees then. The same can be said for Soda Butte Creek.

The Gibbon River has been hot and cold of late. There are plenty of lake run fish in this little river, below the falls, but they are tough during bright sunshine. Look for an overcast day, preferably rain or snow, and give it a try from Madison Junction to the falls. The Gallatin River is fishing well. I like the water near Big Sky and as far downstream now as Spanish Creek during Baetis emergences, or fishing attractors on sunny days. Tribs to the river like the Taylor's Fork and others are too cold now to offer good fishing so wait until next July to try them!

The Gardner River and Yellowstone River are fishing very well around the town of Gardiner. Now is the time to score a large brown trout on the big river so try it from the park line downstream to Mallard Rest Camp, about 12 miles south of Livingston, Mt. The larger the streamer, the bigger the brown! As for the little Gardner River, it gets a fair run of fall browns up from the Yellowstone, and they just might attack any streamer you present as long as it has some yellow in it. Near the 45th Parallel Bridge you should watch for afternoon Baetis hatches and be ready to fish rising trout.

The Lewis Outlet as well as the Channel are fishing very well. You still have time to hike in to try both sections with big streamers and soft hackles. Henry's Fork is fishing very well around Ashton, Idaho. Stop in or call for information on flies.

Henry's Lake is open through Halloween and very large hybrids and brookies are being taken daily by wading and floating anglers. Flies with olive and/or orange like the BS Halloween, and small PT Flashbacks are working well and never, ever be without a Sheep Creek Special, sleeper hint here of the week.

Thanks to all of you who have made this year our best ever! Jackie, Jennifer and Minori, Bucky and Cam, Tylor and John, Patrick 1 and 2, and all our guides thank you!!!

Be alert to our 1% for the Planet program coming to you soon: A chance to support 1% members and more. Stay tuned! In the meantime, call or email us with your questions, concerns, and comments and we look forward to talking with you all soon, and seeing you here in Yellowstone!

13 October 2008

Indian summer has been replaced abruptly by a shot of cold, wet weather here in Yellowstone Country. With only a few weeks remaining in the Yellowstone fishing season we're all grateful to see some good, seasonal weather. well, most of us are anyway. Gray conditions have prompted some great fall fishing across the area. The two main tenants of fall fishing, baetis and spawners, have both reacted well to a change in conditions. Let's take a look.

Madison River (below Quake Lake): The fifty mile riffle has shown us once again why it is such a rewarding river: its tough fishing. We've seen fair numbers of baetis and midges emerging over the last week. However, the fishing has been very challenging. Small (really small) bugs, and occasionally bright skies have the fish as spooky as they've been this year. Cloudy weather has made things drastically better over the last two days. Look for good emergences this week if the clouds remain, and don't go the river without a few #22 Baetis Sparkle Duns and Zelon Midges, and a few Mighty Midget Emergers. For the hearty nymph and streamer fishermen, you'll see consistent sub-surface action on patterns like the #20 Micro-Madison Baetis, #20 Flashback Pheasant Tail, and #14 Krystal Serendipity. As evening approaches, think streamers. Pull a #6 Bakers Hole Bugger along the bank as you walk back to your rig, and hold on!

Madison River in the Park: Good numbers of fish have been caught over the last week. Mornings and evenings continue to be the prime times. Streamers like a copper Zonker and a black and olive Soft Hackle Streamer have produced well, along with orange Shakey Bealey Soft Hackles and classic Wooly Buggers and Hard Chargers. Dead Drifting a large Prince Nymph with a small Copper John or Shop Vac as a trailer has also been an effective way to go. Fish are spread evenly throughout the entire length of the river, and even up to the falls of the Gibbon and Firehole. Anyone heading into the Beaver Meadows (between Baker's Hole and the Barns Holes) should be sure to carry pepper spray and travel in a group, preferably a loud one, when at all possible to keep any bears at bay.

Firehole River: Dry fly action continues to be consistent on the Firehole. Caddis, Baetis, and Midges alike have brought good numbers of fish to the surface. As we've seen all year, the fish seem to be a bit smaller in the river. Clouds have prompted some nice baetis emergences over the last few days, and we've heard many reports of 12-14 inch fish. An Oecetis Crippled Caddis or a #16 Wilcox's AC Caddis is still the fly to have for those big oecetis caddis, while a #18 olive improved X-Caddis matches the little helicopsyche and a #20 black X-Caddis makes a great glossasoma imitation. Be sure to have some #22 baetis Sparkle Duns and Zelon Midges here as well. The entire length of the river has fished very well. The canyon stretch has some spawners milling around, and there's been good top water action daily from the Picnic Area all the way up to Biscuit Basin.

Gardner River: Browns from the Yellowstone are moving into the Gardner around Mammoth Hot Springs. Take your normal selection of spawner flies, and think early and late. The Gardner is a great place to dead drift a Zonker with a #18 Serendipity trailer.

Lewis-Shoshone Channel: Browns have moved into the channel, and lakers have been cruising at either end. Look for the most aggressive fish to be moving and eating on cloudy days. However, don't hesitate to make the walk on a sunny day. The fish won't be quite as active, but they will be much more visible. Sight fishing to these fish is a thrill. If you decide to make the hike, don't go without some #6 Soft Hackle Streamers or Peacock Wooly Buggers, #10 - #12 Prince Nymphs, and #20 red Copper Johns of #18 Krystal Serendipities.

The Northeast Corner of the Park (Slough, Lamar, Soda Butte): If you enjoy fishing in this spectacular section of the park, this might be one of the last weeks to do it. As we slide further and further into October, the likelihood of cold weather increases, and the amount of bug activity on these streams decreases and the chance of road closures increases. Warmer, sunny weather is forecast for the next few days. So, take the drive, and get yourself one last day of terrific dry fly fishing to Yellowstone Cutthroats. Slough remains the toughest of the three waters. Look to see some #20 and smaller baetis and midges along with a handful of #12 Drakes. A #20 Slough Creek Midge Larvae is deadly as a dropper right now. Lamar continues to run clear and fish well. Decent numbers of baetis and drakes have been seen here, and fish have risen well to their imitations when no bugs have been around. As is always the case in the fall, you need to cover some territory when you fish the Lamar. The fish are all concentrated in the deepest runs and pools, and with the usually low fall flows, these deep spots can be spread out by as much as 100 yards. So, be sure to fish only the best looking spots, and pass by marginal water to get to these good spots. Soda Butte has seen the best bug activity of these three waters with decent numbers of baetis, drakes, and heptagenia all occurring sporadically throughout the afternoon.

We wish Minori and Tylor a warm and happy winter, and can't wait to see you both back next summer. Thanks for all your help, time on the water, and good advice to anglers. We'll miss you until we see you back in 2009. We also enjoyed catching up with Daniel, who was here last summer. He dropped by the shop today, and is doing well! Happy and warm winter to all!

Have a safe and enjoyable time in Yellowstone while you are here. If you can't be with us, well we will just have to catch a few for you! We look forward to seeing you all here soon. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions you might have, and if you want to find out how many trout we've taken in your absence just call Jackie, Craig, Cam, Bucky or Jen, and they'll let you know how they've been doing for you while you are not here!

 

7 October 2008

Craig Mathews

It is time to break out the polar fleece and get to Yellowstone country to fish. Fall fishing is in full swing with Baetis mayflies, a couple species of caddis, midges and Fall Green Drakes bringing trout to the surface. Streamers, large nymphs and soft hackles scoring larger run-up fish on the Madison and Lewis Channel. And, there's plenty of snow on the highest peaks in the Madison Range of mountains. The valley's aspens are aglow in the finest show of fall colors we've seen in 2 decades! Get here by plane, train or auto for the best of the late season fly fishing action!

The Madison River in the park is fishing very well now. Last weekend's rain, sleet and snow brought some very cold water into the river system sending a surge of brown and rainbow trout up from Hebgen Lake into the river from Highway 191 all the way upstream to Madison Junction, and beyond. On Saturday, during a cold rainy morning, we had wonderful Baetis fishing on the river for the run-up fish as well as resident trout, as wave after wave of mayflies emerged. Streamers and big Fall Soft Hackles as well as rubber leg stone nymphs are taking some very large trout now.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished very well too. On cool, overcast days you can expect Baetis from noon to 4p.m. On bright days look for caddis to bring the trout up. Small Baetis nymphs along with Krystal and $3.00 Bridge Dips in brown and olive will produce plenty of nice trout for nymphing anglers. Those fishing the river late in the afternoon should be prepared to fish midge activity from 4p.m. to 7p.m. And, streamer fishermen can expect great success using bright yellow streamers like the Madonna and Bakers Hole Bugger.

The Firehole River has been awesome. The river below the falls in the canyon has plenty of run-up trout in it now. Some very large rainbows and browns are being caught now on McKee Stones and white or olive Bow River Buggers. The same holds for the lower Gibbon, below the falls. On the Firehole above the falls expect Baetis #22s on cloudy days. Do NOT go to the river without #20 Black X Caddis either. These tiny Glossosoma Montana caddis are now more important to anglers and trout than the White Miller Caddis so be prepared.

The Lewis Channel is beginning to fish as fall browns coming into the river are very aggressive now. The Lewis below Lewis Lake is also fishing very well. Have big streamers and hang on! One note here, for waters like the Lewis and Madison, Gardner and Yellowstone Rivers when fishing fall, run-up trout is to try fishing a Steelhead Muddler on the surface. Try skittering the fly across and down, like fishing dry-fly steelhead and you might be surprised how effective this technique can be.

The Gallatin River has been hot and cold. On some days when Baetis should emerge in good numbers, usually cold and damp, the mayflies do not show on the water. It has been hit and miss but some nice hatches of the tiny olive duns have been seen around Portal Creek, and from the Taylor's Fork upstream into the park waters to mile marker 24.

The Yellowstone River continues to fish well, from the park line downstream to Big Timber. The big browns are very aggressive now and will attack streamers like the Platte River and Bakers Hole Bugger. On cold-damp days, snow is always best, look for Baetis to come off and bring the trout up from noon to 4p.m.

The Gardner River continues to fish well with streamers and nymphs for run-up fish from its junction with the Yellowstone all the way upstream to Osprey Falls. Many smaller streams are slow due to cold temperatures; the long range forecast calls for snow and cold temperatures this coming weekend so stick to the larger streams we discussed above.

Tip of the Week: There are only 8 fly patterns you need for fishing anywhere in Yellowstone now: Zelon Midges, $3.00 Dips, Baetis Sparkle Duns or Cripples, Black X Caddis, Bakers Hole Bugger or Yellow Madonna, Fall Green Drake and a soft hackle.

Lamar River, Slough and Soda Butte Creeks are all fishing well. The Lamar has been high and discolored at times due to rain so best to check in with us before making the driver. Fall Drakes and Baetis can be counted on. Some terrestrials still around on sunny days like ants and beetles and tiny hoppers.

Blue Ribbon Flies is proud to help fund the Madison River Study which has begun this week. Each and every angler fishing the Madison can expect to be contacted, either in person or by mail, during the next year. The study hopes to measure anglers' attitudes with regard to angling pressure, river use conflict, health of the river, and much-much more, More information to follow on this study which will help shape management of this great river into the future. Stay informed through our weekly newsletters! Until next week, have some great fishing and enjoy the late season here in Yellowstone country!

 

28 September, 2008

Craig Mathews

Break out the sun block and short-sleeved shirts. Weather forecasters predict temperatures in the 80's this week for the Madison Valley! On most area waters midges are active in the mid-morning hours, and by noon hoppers take over when the wind comes up, as do bees, beetles, and flying ants for the late afternoon hours. Baetis mayfly activity has been put on hold, waiting for clouds and cooler temperatures. Late afternoon caddis can be expected on the Firehole and Madison Rivers in the park. Big trout are being taken on many Yellowstone country lakes too.

We've had fun fishing with some interesting people lately too. Yvon Chouinard, owner of Patagonia Inc. was here to fish with us and film a segment on 1% for the Planet he and I co-founded. 1% is nearing 1000 members and will do nearly $20- million for conservation this year. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones fished for a couple days with us also.

But the real news, of course, is the outstanding fishing we had this past week. The Madison, Henry's Fork, Yellowstone, Gibbon, Firehole, Lamar, and Gallatin Rivers along with smaller streams such as Straight, Solfatara, Iron Spring, and Nez Perce Creeks are all fishing very well. The weather is forecast to stay warm and sunny for the next several days so be ready to fish terrestrials, midges and caddis.

The Madison River in the park has been great during evening caddis and afternoon terrestrial times. Run-up fish are everywhere on the river now, but are pretty reluctant to smack a streamer or come to a soft hackle during bright, sunny conditions. If you get to the river early, before 7a.m., and pitch streamers like Platte Rivers, Yellow Madonnas, or September Song soft hackles on the swing you will catch some very nice rainbows and browns, up to 20". Once the sun beats on the water the show is pretty much over for the day so 7-10a.m. is about it for spawner fishing in these warm-sunny weather conditions. In the afternoons try Fat Albert hoppers in red or tan or be looking for fish to sip ants and beetles in the meadow stretches near Madison Junction.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished well both early and late. I have had Morning Midges around $3.00 Bridge and just upstream of the West Fork. Often these midges are on the water at 9a.m. and the fish rise to them in selected spots. I like to walk the banks and watch for risers in quiet pools and seams adjacent to heavy water or deep pockets. Best patterns for this challenging fishing are Griffith's Gnat Emergers in tan or peacock and Zelon Midges. Give this fishing a try; it can be very rewarding and you can be back in town for lunch! During the afternoons our last caddis of the season, a Rhyacophila sp. will show and the fish will rise to them. A #16 olive X or X2 can be counted on along with an olive Iris #17 to rise many nice trout. Fat Alberts and Zelon Flying Ants and bee patterns, along with Foam Beetles and Green Leaf Hoppers will take nice fish all afternoon. In the evenings look for midges to bring the fish to the surface again. Nymphing anglers will do very well with #16-18 $3.00 Dips in brown along with small mayfly nymphs like our Micro-Madison and other Baetis nymphs. Hoppers trailing a dropper Attract-Ant is a very killing combo now for those wishing to try the 2 fly deal!

The Henry's Fork has surprised many anglers during the past 2 weeks when Mahogany Duns are on the water. A #16 Mahogany Sparkle Dun is all you will need, although a PT Parachute is deadly too. Some fish, big fish, have been taken below the gravel pit using hoppers, flying ants and beetles too.

The Yellowstone River below Yellowstone Lake is still fishing for those willing to invest some time stalking and walking the banks searching for huge cutts taking Heptagenia mayfly duns. This interesting mayfly is subject to dramatic population fluctuations and on years like this one we are seeing very good fishing during emergences of this #16 gray-olive-brown dun. The duns come off in the shallow, slow water near shore in a 10-20 foot wide strip along the banks so by walking carefully along the shoreline you should come upon some very nice fish taking the duns. A #16 olive or mahogany Sparkle Dun is all you will need to present, on 6x tippet, for success! The river from Emigrant downstream to Big Timber is fishing well with large grasshopper patterns as well as crickets and foam bees. Again, the next overcast day, expect Baetis to emerge non-stop from noon to 4p.m. and the fish will feed heavily on the tiny duns. Too, the larger male browns are hanging out waiting for some fall weather to get them aggressive to your streamers. Be patient, Jackie always tells me, but it is tough to be patient when we all know these beautiful hook-jawed males are there waiting to chase and slam your streamer.I can't wait much longer!

The Gibbon River has fished well this past week. Grasshoppers continue to bring up some very nice trout in the lower meadow so try an Enhanced Chaos Hopper along the grassy banks here when the wind comes up. The river is fishing all the way to the falls, for run-up browns and some rainbows too. Try Prince Nymphs and small Sculpzilla streamers in black or olive for these larger fish in the pools and pocket water below the Gibbon Falls.

The Firehole Canyon can fish like the lower Gibbon too, with the same flies, for fish up from Hebgen Lake. The river from The Broads upstream to Midway and above is fishing very well during morning midge and afternoon and evening caddis activity. The White Miller is usually the caddis bringing up the most fish in the evening, but Hydropsyche caddis are also on now too. Be ready with Iris and White Miller Emergers and cripple and spent deer hair caddis too. The Baetis mayflies are down for the count, for the early part of this week at least. The next time the clouds roll in, forecasted to be at the end of this week, look for some very fine emergences of #20-22 olive mayflies to bring the trout to the surface.

The Lamar River fishes as well as it has all summer, and early fall. Terrestrials are still bring up big cutts, rainbows and hybrids in this order: ants, bees, beetles and Fat Alberts can all be counted on. I would also have a foam Leaf Hopper in my arsenal. I have taken some nice fish on this fly all summer when they refused a hopper. Drake Macks and Baetis are coming off even on bright days but, on the next overcast day, you will want to be on the Lamar to witness the best hatch of the larger fall drakes of the year. I'd be there by 11a.m. then!

Lower Slough Creek and the Soda Butte are still fishing well during terrestrial times too. On these excellent waters have small, #14 Stalcup Hoppers in tan with red legs as well as #16 Black Foam Beetles. Clouds will bring on good emergences of Fall Baetis and the big drakes so have sparkle duns and foam emergers too. Remember, on Slough the late season Baetis are #22 and cream colored. A cream Griffith's Gnat Emerger works well now for both the mayflies and midges!

It is still too early to check out the Lewis Channel, give it another 2 weeks. But, do head to the Gardner River and fish from its junction with the Yellowstone all the way upstream to Lava Creek. Big Grand and Fat Albert Hoppers and #8 Royal Wulffs with bring some very large browns to the surface now.matter-of-fact a #8 Royal Wulff can work most anywhere fall run fish are being fished for in late September and into early November. The Gallatin River continues to fish, as it has all summer and fall. Baetis mayflies, terrestrials, and even October Caddis are bringing up trout. Don't get on the water too early on this river, 11a.m. is just fine. I like the river below Big Sky now, all the way downstream to Portal Creek near mile marker 54.

Thank you all for your kind works regarding our Volume 2, Fly Patterns of Yellowstone. John and I appreciate the wonderful response to our book which is getting some very generous reviews!

We at Blue Ribbon appreciate your patronage and support. It too is most gratifying to hear from you how you support us because of our commitment to causes like the 1% for the Planet business alliance. Knowing that 1% of your purchase goes to conservation causes like The Yellowstone Park Foundation's Fisheries Initiative, The Madison River and Henry's Fork Foundations, and The Greater Yellowstone Coalition programs, and Trust for Public Land Madison River Conservation Easement work. Thanks again! Please stop by, call, email, write or send a passenger pigeon with your questions, concerns, comments, etc. We are here for you and value each and every one of your ideas! See you soon, in Yellowstone!

September 23rd, 2008

Bucky McCormick

Madison River (below Quake Lake):  PPL has finally gotten the dam under control and will be lowering the levels 400cfs per day. This will certainly make the fishing much easier than we have had lately. Fish have been taking streamers well along with standard nymph patterns like $3 bridge serendipities, shop vacs, micro Madison baetis, and crystal dips. Look for the baetis fishing to improve on cloudy days. Sparkle duns, icu’s, and baetis cripples will all work well.

Gallatin River: Good baetis fishing can be had below big sky in all those long smooth glides. Look for the duns to start around 1:00 or 2:00 pm. Sunny afternoons have been producing good hopper and ant fishing in the park section. Try a baetis nymph for a dropper if the trout are not looking up. Streamer patterns will work well in the deeper pools early and late in the day. An olive sculpzilla has been a favorite.

Hebgen Lake:  There have still been a few callibaetis lingering in the Madison arm. Try fishing a sparkle dun or cripple to cruising trout during the mid morning hours. This will not be fast and furious fishing, but the walking angler can still find a few good trout to cast at.

Slough Creek, Lamar River, and Soda Butte Creek: This has certainly been the premier fishing region in the park as of late. Excellent hatches of baetis have been occurring even on the brighter days on all three rivers. The baetis in this region is a size 22 and more of cream color than one would find on our other area rivers. The fish still respond well to the darker version, but can be a bit fussier on slough. The fall drakes are showing in fair numbers and one would be wise to have a few of these patterns just in case.

Firehole River: Caddis have been the main attraction on the Firehole. A size 15 cripple along with a size 20 black x-caddis have been taking trout on the surface. A more productive approach has been swinging a white miller or peacock and starling soft hackle. late afternoon to early evening has been the time to be on the river.

Gibbon River:  the trout in the meadows have still been looking for terrestrials to float over head. Small hoppers like the stalcup in a size 14, a foam flying ant, or tiger beetle have all worked well. Be sure to walk cautiously and keep a watchful eye for big browns sitting along the undercuts.

Madison River in the park: There have been a few more lake fish moving into the system, but we would not say the fishing is red hot. Early morning and again later in the day one could be able to hook a fish or two. Large soft hackle patterns like our September song and shakey beeley have produced best.

A Broken River? 18 September, 2008

Some say the river "is broken". To be sure, Hebgen Dam is having some problems. But we have faith in PP&L and Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They are working around the clock to come up with a solution to the failure at the dam. The river is flowing at 3000 cfs and change. I fished the "broken river" this afternoon and had a banner late summer's day using nothing but dry flies. I never saw another angler. The Madison River below Earthquake Lake is fishing very well, even in the heavy flows. The fish are rising to Baetis, Fall Green Drakes, caddis and a wide variety of terrestrials like bees and beetles and grass and leaf hoppers and ants. Our float trips are having fine fishing, perhaps as good as we have seen all year all along the river from Lyon Bridge to Ennis. Streamers and nymphs, big hoppers like Grand and Fat Alberts are all bringing fish to net. If you've never been on a float this is the time to do so. Glowing aspens, flaming alpine current bushes and brightly colored browns and rainbows will bring you to your knees!

The browns are coming into spawning colors and the males' sides have the brilliant colors of fall alpine current leaves. Vivid red spots and bright yellow bellies and flanks, and sporting pronounced golden colored hooked jaws. The females are gorgeous too, brightly colored and bellies showing the heaviness of eggs to be laid later this fall. Rainbows made up a goodly part of my catch today too. They are heavy from gorging on the fodder brought to them by the heavy flows of the river. One male rainbow I hooked came out of the water 5 times and reminded me of the steelhead I used to take on dry flies many years ago on rivers like the Buckley and Dean in British Columbia in September. The Madison is NOT broken, and it is fishing very well. Few anglers are fishing it now. I will be on it daily this month, and next, and until the good crew entrusted to repair the dam get things right. In the meantime say tuned here for information.

The Madison in the Park is fishing well also. Each day brings more-and-more fall run-up rainbows and browns into the river and anglers are doing well with big soft hackles like our September Song and Shakey Bealeys. Streamers like Bakers Hole Buggers and yellows cone-heads are working too, on large browns some to 24". On overcast days look for Baetis mayflies to bring the fish to the surface. And, every evening from now through October you will find trout, both residents and fish up from Hebgen Lake, feeding on evening caddis activity. Our new White Miller X and soft hackles emerger patterns are killing during this caddis time.

The Firehole River has been wonderful. On overcast days expect non-stop Baetis from noon to 7pm. On bright days look for White Miller and Hydropsyche sp caddis to bring up the fish. There are some fall fish in the canyon now, but expect more, many more, over the next month to come in.

The Lamar River along with Soda Butte and Slough Creeks are all fishing. Fall Drake Macks along with Baetis and terrestrials are bringing trout to the surface. The larger trout can be very hard to fool now having seen many imitations all summer. Check in with us, and we will get you equipped to catch a fish, or many fishes, of a lifetime on these fine streams this fall. These streams have all fished well, but can be crowded on weekends.

The Gallatin River continues to have one of the best years in decades. Large trout, both browns and rainbows, are being taken daily from the park stretch downstream to Portal Creek. We fished a Baetis mayfly emergence last week that went for 6 hours during a cloudy afternoon just downstream of Big Sky. On bright days terrestrials like bees and small hoppers patterns such as our Yellowstone Killer Bee and the Stalcup Hopper in tan are deadly! An Adams Cripple is also a great fly to have when fishing this river as Scotty Heppel can attest too.

The Gardner River has fished well. A few larger run-up browns have arrived from the Yellowstone River and can be taken on large Grand Hoppers, crickets and crystal beetles.

If you'd like to catch and release a brook trout in spawning colors now is the time to do so on Straight, Blacktail Deer, and Glen Creeks using small grasshopper patterns or streamers like the Halloween.

If catching huge hybrids as lake Brookies are in your plans then head over to Henry's Lake. You can wade fish now near the hatchery, or fish from a boat near Staley's or the Fromm access site. Best flies have been flashback PT's and Halloweens as well as Hard Chargers and Sparrows. Brookies to 4lbs and hybrids to 13!

Hebgen and Earthquake both continue to fish well Callibaetis are coming off as well as midges. A sparkle dun might be the only pattern you need but I'd never go to either lake without a Callibaetis Spinner and #16 PT Nymph too! On Quake we have had fine afternoon fishing with hopper and attractors. The fish are very eager to take a Twisted Sister or Trina Hopper flies. If you have never fished Quake it is you time to do so. Midges are coming off both lakes and the fish are on them at times too. A Griffiths Gnat works well, #16-18. And, Hebgen can be fished from shore during gulper times. Cliff and Wade Lakes have both fished well. I had a great afternoon on Cliff running down trout rising to Mahogany Duns along the primitive road earlier this week while we were picking rose hips for jam. I wish this late summer-early fall season lasted longer!

The Yellowstone River in the Park has fished well, even the upper river near Nez Perce Ford. There have been good emergences of Heptagenia mayflies along with midges. The Cascade Picnic area and lower LeHardy have both fished well. Make sure you plan on walking the river searching for rising trout rather than fishing the water. You must locate fish and fish to them rather than blind casting; it is a lot like bonefishing!

Thanks to all of you who have purchased our Vol 2 of Fly Patterns of Yellowstone! John and I will be offering a limited edition of this book along with a very limited fly plate with photo this winter so stay tuned! Until next week, please contact us for any and all fishing information, current stream conditions, information on Hebgen dam, thoughts on equipment, etc. We appreciate your business and are here to serve you our friends!

 

September 1, 2008

What a week this one has been! It began hot and windy, with water conditions low and clear on the Madison. Now we find snow in the mountains, and the river flowing at record all-time high levels. The dam at Hebgen Lake has some issues. It seems that a chute or two controlling water levels has failed sending 3370 cfs of water downstream. The folks who control the dam have reported to us that they are on top of things, and they have a solution to the problem, and that work will begin tomorrow. They report that they hope to have the problem corrected within the next 24 hours, and we are pulling for them. In the meantime, please call and check with us for current, up-to-the-minute information.

The good news to you is that we are having our first annual "Dam Sale" at BRF. We have many items on sale, stuff like Patagonia waders and shoes, Simms and Patagonia packs and dry bags, and much much more so check it out later in this newsletter! This week too we have begun our search for deer, elk and moose hides with the best quality hair money can buy. We are off to the hide dealers and will soon have some incredible hair to offer you as a result of this effort. And, our "Fly Patterns of Yellowstone Vol 2" is at the book binders and due in late this week. John and I are very proud to offer this hardbound book to you, loaded with wonderful color photos of the most effective fly patterns for Yellowstone and the western states. The book sells for $24.99 and we will autograph to you. Each fly comes with a detailed story of its origin and fly recipe. Call today and reserve a copy!

The Madison in the Park has fished well all summer. Lately we've been sight fishing to large brown trout with grasshopper, beetle and bee patterns. This is very challenging fishing; usually if we get close enough to make a cast after spotting a large trout without spooking it we consider that a success. These fish are very spooky and hard to approach but the rewards are huge when you hook one. And, big rainbow and browns are in from Hebgen Lake and are coming to our September Song and Shakey Bealey Soft Hackle flies. Today was overcast and rainy and the Baetis mayflies emerged and the trout rose to them all afternoon long. The long range forecast calls for rainy weather to return later this week so be ready with #20 Baetis Sparkle Duns.

The Firehole is fishing well. As with the Madison, the river fished well today during huge Baetis hatches all along the river from Fountain Flat Drive upstream to Mallard Creek. Here the Baetis are tiny, #22's, so have emergers and sparkle duns. Midges can be expected to bring up the trout as can caddis. The late season White Millers are emerging and the trout are rising to them now too. This is one of our favorite times for fishing this fun river and you will all want to explore the fall fishing when here in September and October.

The Henry's Fork continues to fish well. The Box has been good and the river above the RxR Ranch is fishing well during Baetis times. There has been some very good fishing when grasshopper winds blow the insects onto the water; same with bees, beetles and ants.

The Gallatin continues as a top pick to fish dries on. The river has been fantastic with a wide range of patterns from hoppers and beetles to ants, crickets and bee patterns. A friend reports having Baetis emerging on the river yesterday in the snow for over 2 hours and took several fine browns and rainbows below Big Sky. The park stretch is fishing daily from noon to 4pm with hoppers and bees and large beetles.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake is very big, over 3400 cfs, as of this writing. Officials say they are working on the situation to repair the dam and remain hopeful of having the dam back in order soon. Please call for updates.

The Yellowstone River in the Park is fishing very well. The river just above the town of Gardiner and up into the Black Canyon has been fun with huge hopper and cricket patterns. The river above Hayden Valley has fished well with Baetis and terrestrials for those anglers willing to walk and spot big cutthroats. Below the Park the river has been superb during Baetis times or when terrestrials are active.

Let's not forger the Gibbon and Gardner Rivers for great dry fly fishing with terrestrials and large attractor dries like H&L's and Wulffs. On both rivers, in their lower stretches, you can expect very good hopper fishing for larger trout.

The Lamar River and Slough and Soda Butte Creeks are offering up nice rises of trout. Leafhoppers and grasshopper patterns are working especially well now on all streams. Do NOT be without beetles and bees also. The Drake Macks are coming off and big rainbows and cutts will take nearly every natural floating by. We are always amazed that this species continues to exist as every mayfly seems to be taken by the trout. Tiny cream colored Baetis, we call Sough Creek Baetis, are emerging on these waters so be ready with #22 SC Baetis Sparkle Duns.Tributaries in the park like Hellroaring, Tower, and Blacktail Deer are all fishing now too.

Soooo - be ready for snow, Baetis, terrestrials and caddis and some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. Bring your cameras and photograph big bull elk as they gather their harems. Watch for bears and wolves, and enjoy fall in Yellowstone country! Take advantage of our fall clothing and gear sale here at the shop. And, never hesitate to call, email or write for advice on anything from fly patterns, places to stay, where to fish, current stream conditions, or if you just want to visit. The coffee is always on, and so are our smiles!

 

August 25, 2008 Craig Mathews

The first fall equinox weather of the year rolled in last week. A cold front pushed in and although it was a dry one it did change our fishing over the following several days, and bring on our first "fall" fishing.

It truly is a great time to be in Yellowstone. Terrestrials like bees, beetles, ants and hoppers (in that order) are bringing up fine rises of trout, and anglers are having a wonderful time fishing them. Spruce Moth activity is beginning to wane as the adults have mated and laid their eggs. A couple mayflies and caddis are still emerging on many areas waters, and our Fall Baetis and Drake Mackerels mayflies will begin showing up on rivers like the Madison and Lamar along with smaller waters such as Slough and Soda Butte. The first run-up rainbows from Hebgen Lake are being taken by anglers fishing hoppers around Madison Junction. My friend was practicing with his switch rod near Baker's Hole Campground a few days ago and took an 18" male rainbow there he insists "was by accident"! Let's get to the full skinny on the fishing here in Yellowstone.

The Gallatin River has been tremendous during the past week. BRF's star employee, Tylor, has fished it several times and has taken several fish in the 16-17" class on our Spruce Moth imitation along with a Hi-Viz Elk Hair Caddis. Tylor reports fishing the river from Storm Castle back upstream into the park section with very good success. When fish are not looking up for the moths they will take Crystal Beetles, Jiminy Crickets, Flip Flop Hoppers and small red Fat Alberts. Tributaries like the Taylor Fork, Specimen, Fan and Bacon Rind are all fishing well now too. This changed slightly with the cooler weather, and now we're waiting to see what this week brings. Check in for up-to-the-minute reports. In the meantime, when fishing these smaller waters have PMXs, trudes and Adams Cripples and you can count on some very nice fish.

The Madison River below Hebgen downstream to Ennis continues to fish well. I have fished it nearly every evening over the last week and have had wonderful dry-fly action. I took my friend Yvon Chouinard and his buddy from Italy fishing one evening and all day the next, and we had a great time. We took some nice trout on Epeorus mayfly spinners and Iris Caddis during the evening. On Monday these two anglers took dozens of trout using the Czech method; Yvon even had 2 doubles! All the while they took fish on nymphs I was taking very nice rainbows and browns on Epeorus Improved Sparkle Duns and spinners, olive and tan X2 Caddis and our zelon flying ants. The best nymph patterns continue to be #14-16 brown $3.00 Dips, Tungsten olive mayflies and trigger nymphs.

The Madison River in the Park stretch near the junction is fishing well with hoppers like Rowan Nyman's Flip-Flop and Enhanced Chaos. Too, some run-up rainbows are coming to soft hackles and hoppers. The big male browns are in the river, but slow to come to any flies. Look for this to change as cooler weather moves in and the run-up fish become more aggressive.

The Firehole is picking up again. Some damsel (dry) and caddis action can be expected, along with beetles, our Jiminy Cricket, bees and ants in the upper river. Tyers should begin tying #22 Fall Baetis Sparkle Duns and cripples as they will show any time now.

The Henry's Fork was slow last week, but picked up some over the weekend. Look for the Box Canyon stretch to begin fishing with large streamer patterns for very large rainbows. The RxR Ranch famed Trico mayflies should come now and flying ants and large beetles will raise some big rainbows too.

Patrick recently returned from our Bechler River trip where all anglers did very well, taking some nice rainbows on terrestrial patterns. In the evenings most soaked in hot springs and rested from a full day of fishing. Patrick survived being bucked off his steed on the Bechler, and left soon after with our upper Slough Creek horse trip. This trip was also a success, with many fish caught and many stories to tell. At the end of this week he will lead the Lamar River horseback excursion. Full accounts will follow in the next few weeks' fishing reports.

Slough Creek has fished very well, maybe as well as we have seen in several years. The same is true with the Lamar River. Soda Butte has been great too, although there has been a lot of pressure on it of late. For all waters in this section of the park be ready now with Gauchos which are a large cricket imitation and have worked very well on big cutts, or again our Jiminy Cricket. Don't leave home without cinnamon flying ants, Yellowstone Foam Bees and Enhanced Chaos Hoppers and beetles. The Enhanced Chaos is still one of our favorite terrestrial patterns but the bee pattern is coming up on the inside corner and may overtake the hopper. Anyone who's not fished a bee is in for surprises. The larger trout love bees and seem to know they'll get stung when taking one as they usually explode on the fly causing most unfamiliar with fishing an imitation to break the first few fish off on these explosive takes. Be ready now with Drake Macs and Slough Creek Baetis #22 too.

A couple sleepers would include Hellroaring and Pebble Creeks and the Snake River all in the Park. The Snake has fished well inside the Park, north of the south entrance. Now is the time to explore this fine river with terrestrials and large attractors like Yellow Humpies, Royal Wulffs and Flip-Flop Hoppers. Pebble and Hellroaring Creeks are fishing very well now with small hoppers, bees and Humpies. Dare to explore these waters and others like them! Bring some bear spray and have a wonderful time catching and releasing dozens of beautiful trout!

The lake fishing in and around Yellowstone has been especially strong this summer, and will continue to be so through September. Hebgen has been very good during Callibaetis activity, 9am to 1pm if the wind stays down. Foam spinners and sparkle dun patterns are both required as is a Feather Duster. Cliff and Wade Lakes along with Hidden will produce on top too as will park stillwaters like Grizzly, Lewis, Joffe and Trout. Damsel and dragon fly nymphs will produce on these waters. Henry's Lake has been very strong for big trout and now is the time for the larger brookies to be taken on this lake, some over 4 pounds!

The late season is time too for BRF's end of summer fly fishing apparel sale so come on in and take advantage of our 40% off program on many clothing items. We hope to see you soon and remember, call, email or stop in for current fishing information, the coffee is always on and so are our smiles!

August 13, 2008

All Yellowstone area waters are back in shape after last weekend's rain event. Some rain gauges in Ennis registered over 5" of rain in a 2 day period. We had nearly a 2½" in the Madison Valley near the West Fork. Streams like Taylor's Fork, Fan Creek and the Lamar River were unfishable for a few days early in the week, but now all rivers and streams are in fine shape. Stream insects like Epeorus and Pale Morning Dun mayflies, three or four caddis fly species along with a host of land-born insects like bees, beetles, crickets, ants and grasshoppers are bring trout to the surface. The evening caddis activity is beginning to wane but Epeorus mayfly spinner falls and midge activity can be counted on to furnish some fine evening fishing on rivers like the Yellowstone, Henry's Fork, Madison and Gallatin. If lake fishing is your game then you are in luck for most of our lakes are fishing well now, both on the surface and underneath.

Yesterday morning, on the way in to West Yellowstone, the truck's thermometer registered 36 degrees. And, around town some folks saw the first frost on their bird baths. It won't be long until the bull elk bugle in their harems, and the Fall Baetis mayflies bring up the trout on the Firehole and Madison. But, for now, let's let a few more weeks of summer bring us some wonderful fly fishing! Don't forget that this weekend is "Crazy Days" here in the little mountain town of West Yellowstone. Here at BRF we are celebrating this wackiness, and you can take advantage of it by cashing in on some huge bargains with many items at 50% off the regular price!!!

Let's take a look at the fishing report. This is THE time to head northeast and fish the corner of the Park; the Lamar River, Slough, Soda Butte, Pebble, Cache and other streams are all fishing very well after a few days off due to the high, turbid water we discussed above. Mayflies like gray drakes, (check out our latest drake spinner), cream Baetis, Heptagenia, Pale Morning Duns can be counted on daily to bring up the cutthroats so get an early start and take advantage of some of the best dry fly fishing of the late summer on these fine waters. Get on the road by 8 a.m. to avoid the bear jams and fish these emergences each morning. In the afternoon look for ants, beetles, bees (our dry imitations of bees have been deadly this week), crickets and grasshoppers to bring up the fish. Bucky likes to fish his new leaf hopper pattern, very bright and visible and a trout magnet if there was one! Rowan Nyman's Enhanced Chaos Hopper has been the hopper pattern of choice on these waters. Evenings are good too with spinner falls and caddis activity.

The Gallatin and its tribsutaries, both in and out of the Park, have all fished well. Here look for spruce moths and caddis activity early and late in the day. On those warm, sunny, and windy afternoons you will have fun fishing grasshoppers like the Fat Albert and Enhanced Chaos along with a Crystal Beetle for some very nice rainbows and rainbow-cutthroat hybrids. The Gallatin's tributaries: Fan, Bacon Rind, Taylor's Fork and others will all fish too, with these same patterns along with PMX's and Royal Trudes and Wulffs.

The Henry's Fork has offered up some very good ant and mayfly spinner fishing of late. The RxR Ranch stretch continues to fish well in the mornings and afternoons. Some tricos are emerging in selected sections along the river near Wood Road in the mornings. Around lunch time flying ants take over for the afternoon.

The Yellowstone River in the Park is still fishing, as many cutthroat trout remain in the river well after spawning. You will have to cover some water from Mud Volcano upstream to LeHardy Rapids but you can expect to cast to some very large cutts. Have rusty spinners, #16-18 along with beetles and ants and olive X Caddis, #14-18 as well as Iris. The fire near Fishing Bridge is nearly out and parking along the river is again permitted. This river downstream of the park and all the way to Big Timber, MT is fishing very well when it has been clear. Big attractors and hopper patterns are bringing up some very large trout.

Small stream anglers can have fun fishing streams like Blacktail Deer, upper Gardner, Glen, Gibbon, Straight, Peeble, and Grayling Creeks in the park. The Madison in the park is fishing well with hoppers like the Enhanced Chaos and Fat Albert from 9 Mile to the junction.

The Madison below the dam to Earthquake Lake is fishing well too. Early morning egg-laying caddis and mayfly spinner like Epeorus and Callibaetis (at the mouth of the lake) have brought up some very large trout. Evening action is strong too when caddis emerge as well as Epeorus mayflies. The best flies for the evenings are Epeorus Spinners and X2 and Iris Caddis. Downstream of the lake for the next 40 miles to Ennis, the river is fishing very well. Anglers arriving on-stream at 8a.m. will find trout rising to several insects. Some might be rising to egg-laying caddis, others to mayfly spinners or midges. One thing for certain though, this river is fishing better in the mornings than during the evening hours. This has been the case for the past few weeks. Not to say the evenings haven't fished well, mostly they have, but the mornings have been glorious! I had one of my best days ever on the river this last week from 8 to 11a.m. I caught more fish, all rising, than a person has a right to and I never saw another angler on the water all morning. This might last another week so be there. The float stretch has fished well all summer but it seems even stronger now. Our guides are having fun with their anglers when hoppers and other terrestrials along with caddis and mayflies bring the trout to the surface. Nymphing anglers are doing very well with $3.00 and Crystal Dips and Juice Nymphs. One fly for fishing the river all along its length now is the Spruce Moth, stop in for our latest in this pattern, which seems to change daily!

Earthquake and Hebgen Lakes are fishing very well during morning Callibeatis activity. Be on the water by 9a.m for this and have C.Baetis Deer Hair Spinners and sparkle duns along with a PT Nymph. Speaking of nymphs, nymphing anglers fishing Chans Snow Cones, #16 and trailing a Split Case Baetis #18 are doing as well as the dry fly guys, maybe better! Other area lakes like Henry's and Hidden, Elk and Joffe, Cascade and Wolf and Grebe and Grizzly are all fishing well too. Sleeper bet: Trout Lake. We will say no more!

August 5, 2008 Craig Mathews

Mid-summer fishing conditions are here in Yellowstone country, nearly 3 weeks late! The salmon flies are officially over on the Madison below Quake Lake. Flavs are showing on the Gallatin, Yellowstone and Madison Rivers. Evening caddis are in full swing on all area rivers including the Firehole and Madison Rivers in the Park. Terrestrials rule during the day and afternoon times with Spruce Moths, crickets, hoppers, beetles and ants providing great dry fly fishing all along the above rivers as well as the Park's Lamar, Soda Butte and Slough Creeks. Smaller streams are coming into their own now too, and lakes should be on your radar screen when in Yellowstone country.

The Lamar River is on fire! Pale Morning Duns, Heptagenia, along with other mayflies like Baetis, Green and Gray Drakes are coming off and the big resident cutthroats and rainbows are feeding on them. Terrestrials patterns too, like ants, bees, beetles and crickets are working now. Our new cricket and hopper patterns can't be beat so stop in and check them out and get to this great river soon.

Soda Butte Creek is receiving a lot of angling pressure, and rightfully so. PMD's, Heptagenia mayflies, afternoon caddis and terrestrials are all working. The stream is fishing all the way from its junction with the Lamar River upstream to Ice Box Canyon and above.

Slough Creek is worth the biting flies and the walk into the first and second meadows. Take along a head net as well as Ultra Thon Insect repellent and a tube of Sol Sun Block. Have some Gray Drake patterns like our new Drake Spinner, and foam ants, Tiger Beetles and Stalcup Crickets, and make the 62 mile drive early to begin your walk in by 9a.m.

Pebble Creek has been fun lately as water levels have dropped and the streams temps have risen to above 50 degrees! Here try small Grand Hoppers and PMX's for lots of beautiful trout in freestone water.

The Gardner River is fishing well according to our friends at Park's Fly Shop in Gardiner. The river behind town all the way downstream to the Yellowstone will fish for you with terrestrials.

The Yellowstone River in the Park is giving up some very nicely colored cutthroats. Most of these fish have finished spawning and won't fight too well but are so beautiful! Those fish that do fight hard most likely did not spawn this year. We are seeing far more fish in the river in places like the Otter Creek area and just below and above LeHardy Rapids than we have during the last few years. Most likey these fish are lake fish that had dropped downstream into the river to spawn and are still there waiting to take your golden stone, green and gray drake, Flav or PMD imitation during the day. In the evening have rusty spinners and caddis like Iris and X2 in #14 and 16. Check with us or a ranger for information on the LeHardy Fire burning in the Park.

The Madison and Firehole Rivers in the Park are still fishing well in the late evenings during caddis times. We have been tying up lots of White Miller X and tan X2's for both rivers. Check out our new, and last shipment of the summer of Sparkle Dun Deer Hair and Early Season Cow Elk for tying these flies. I have gone through one 6x6 piece of elk and 4 pieces of primo deer so far this summer tying caddis and duns! Don't plan to fish these waters midday, but eat an early supper and head out before dark.

The Madison River below Quake Lake does not get any better than we have had, and will have, for the next few weeks. Epeorus and Flav mayflies are emerging, evening and morning caddis activity is the best we've seen in years, and terrestrials like ants and beetles are coming on now too. I fish now most evenings. For the next month, until the end of August I will hit the river 6 of 7 nights.

Here's my routine: at 6p.m. I clean my line with Agent X from Rio. I do NOT want to have a line sinking during failing light conditions causing hang-ups on twigs and rocks. By 7 p.m.. I am on the river. I ready my head lamp, ION from Black Diamond, since I know I will be fishing until dark and usually after. I clean my Hat Eyes since I don't want to fumble with flies and tippets in near darkness. I always clip on my Ghost Net since the fish are huge, or seem so, after dark! I tie on fluorocarbon 5x tippet and walk to the river, or wait until I sit on the bank of the river to knot on some fresh 5x. Now I wait I usually see a few fish working nymphs or emerging caddis I still wait I tie on an appropriate fly, one like an X2 #16 tan, or maybe an Epeorus dun or spinner. I let the river tell me what to do, and what fly to tie on. I cast, usually, from a sitting position and manage to take a couple nice fish before darkness comes on, around 9:20. Then I change to 4x tippet, always Fluorocarbon as it doesn't break using a 3 turn surgeon's knot to tippet or improved clinch to fly. I now tie on an After Hours Iris or Halo Iris and get as close to rising trout as I can, usually within 10 feet. After each fish I treat my fly with Agent X dry fly powder, I prefer this at dark to my most favorite Frog's Fanny as I do not have to use a brush, I merely drop my fly into Agent X which is easier.I will never leave the river until 9:30-10p.m.. I will see you there, at $3.00, the West Fork, or Raynold's Bridge! The river during the day is fishing well using $3.00 Dips and micro mayfly nymphs as well as ants and beetles. The hoppers will come soon. DO NOT forget Spruce Moths which are now along the river from the dam downstream to Lyon's Bridge. They showed up last night and the fish are on them early morning and eves. This can be some of the most productive fishing on the river!

Hebgen and Earthquake Lakes are coming alive in the mornings during Callibaetis time. Quake fish are always easier but who wants easy fish you ask? I love a volunteer trout!

The Gallatin both in and out of the Park is fishing very well. Green Drakes, PMDs, caddis and little yellow stones are emerging. Beetles and ants are active as are Spruce Moths all long the river. The fish are in the best shape we've seen them in in many years, and there are far more of them.

The Henry's Fork is fishing well. PMDs, caddis, flying ants and beetles will bring up the big rainbows from the Box downstream. Island Park is fishing too, lots of nice fat rainbows on damsel, dragons and Callibaetis mayflies. Just when we thought Henry's Lake might roll over and put its legs in the air we are blessed with a great fishing summer! We have dyed a few Bill Schiess Brown Saddle Hackles for your favorite mighty mite flies and others. Fish the lake for 4 pound brookies and even larger hybrids. This year you will not have to fish for a day or 2 for one nice trout, you should take several every day you invest on this great lake!

Two sleeper bets to check out are Trout Lake and surrounding water in the Park, and/or make the short hike to Grizzly Lake and Straight Creek just downstream of the lake. Until next week have some great fishing, enjoy the Park and southwest Montana and stop by Blue Ribbon Flies for the best fishing and fly tying, equipment and free coffee in the West!

July 31, 2008

With temperatures in the Madison valley hovering well above eighty degrees for much of the past week, it would be easy to confuse the weather outside for an August heat wave. Thankfully, the days ahead will be cooling off some, and the fishing should be fantastic. As John said earlier today, the dog days of August are almost here on the calendar, but we're still in the clear outside. Let's take a closer look.

Gallatin River: It's official: the Gallatin is finally in full swing. Look for PMDs in the mornings and caddis in the evenings, as well as some spotty green drakes and the last of the golden stones. Attractors work well at midday for searching the water, as will nymphing. Good flies include PMD Sparkle Duns, Iris Caddis, Golden Sunken Stone, Royal Wolf Cripples, and Crystal Dips. Also, we're not that far away from terrestrial time. I have a sneaking suspicion that beetles and ants could drum up some nice fish, and hoppers should be getting started by next week. For all you small stream nuts, the many tributaries that dump into the Gallatin from here on up to the Gallatin Gateway offer endless possibilities. Fan and Specimen in the park are both good bets to get away from the crowds and into some fine fishing for weary, yet opportunistic trout. Even the Taylor Fork is starting to fish well. Be sure to bring plenty of bug dope and a long sleeve shirt as the biting flies and mosquitoes are especially ruthless this season.

Hebgen Lake: The Gulpers are almost gulping. They're in there, they're just not tracking quite yet as steadily as we're used to this time of year. Callibeatis are the most dominant insect at the moment, however; Tricos will be taking over any day now. Bring along some Callibaetis Sparkle Duns and Callibaetis Spinners in a size 14. Some Tricos would be a good addition as well in size 20. Make sure your leader is longer for this fishery. A twelve foot leader is really beneficial for you as you stalk these weary fish.

Madison River (below Quake Lake): The Madison is a hotbed for great dry fly fishing in the mornings and evenings. Now is the time. Caddis and PMDs will keep fish rising in the mornings as long as the wind isn't too strong. Epeorus are coming off sporadically thoughout the day producing a good spinner fall in the evenings. A few golden stones remain along the banks primarily near Raynold's and up river. Fish have been responding rather well to the nymph in the heavier waters. Caddis have and continue to been the most abundant insect I've seen in the evenings. Primarily, Hydropsyches have been coming off the water in droves. The mating flight of these insects is so strong, spent caddis have been my fly of choice with astounding results. Don't tell me you've always wondered where the "spent" came from? Make sure you bring some Spent Caddis in size 16 and some Epeorus Spinners in a size 16. This should prove to be quite effective for you. I highly recommend this river in the evenings at the moment. You will find the best bite, depending where you are, from 6p.m. to 10p.m.

Lamar River, Slough Creek, and Soda Butte: The Lamar is always the last of the northeast corner streams to completely clear of run-off, and this year is no exception. Look for this river to finally be gin-clear over the upcoming weekend. Soda Butte has been getting better by the day with the warmer weather. A few caddis have been making their appearance in the mornings and the evenings. PMDs are also coming out in increasing numbers. Do not over look this stretch of water for if you do, the fish will be laughing at you. Slough Creek continues to fish pretty darn well. PMDs and Caddis along with some of the giant Gray Drakes have been keeping fly fishers busy. Reports from the second and third meadows have been really encouraging. If you trek in this far make sure to bring ample bug repellent, otherwise you'll be sprinting the miles of trail back to your car. Don't forget your bear spray too. Bring along some Gray Drake Spinners in a size 12 and PMD Cripples in sizes 14 and 16 to fool these beautiful cutthroats. Crippled Caddis #16 will also help you catch fish.

Gardiner River: Now that the Gardiner is starting to fish, we have to admit we've been pleasantly surprised by our success there. There are plenty of bugs out there. PMDs and caddis are flying up and down the banks of this beautiful river. Expect to do a little walking to find a trophy fish. Make sure you have some X-Caddis and some Spent Caddis in sizes 14 through 18 in tan. PMD Sparkle Duns and PMD Cripples in sizes 16 and 18 should also fare well for the adventurous angler. If we get some good cloud cover, keep in mind that Baetis can appear in a second, and you may still see a Gray Drake or two.

Yellowstone Lake: Callibaetis and PMDs continue to hatch in decent numbers bringing along with them some really nice Cutthroats. If you're determined to fish the Lake, the best place to will be in and around the West Thumb region. Arrive early and have a cup of coffee along the shore while you wait for the action to pick up. Fish should start to really work between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tilt Wing Callibaetis in a size 14 will be a good bet.

So there you have it. The fishing is really good right now as it should be. Keep this in mind while you're staring at your computer, daydreaming in your cubicle. Stop looking at someone else's feet in the river at the bottom of this newsletter, and get your own feet wet. Drop what you're doing, book a plane ticket and come to Yellowstone country to catch great trout and forget about reality. We have a theory in the shop right now that we're getting a few more impatient calls and emails than usual because people are hot, uncomfortable, and really want to be here instead of wherever it is they are. Even if it is only for a short while, you will be thankful for taking some time, and doing something for yourself for a change. Stop by when you get here and we will head you in the right direction.

July 22nd, 2008 Craig Mathews

I was headed out the door to fish the Madison around 6p.m. when a storm blew in on a gale force north wind and dropped temperatures nearly twenty degrees in less than an hour. Echo Mountain has snagged some low clouds in the Madison Range, and thunder and lightening are moving into the valley quickly. I think I will stay close to home tonight and tie a few flies and type this report.

Area fishing has been awesome, to say the least. This year's crowds are down, the fish are rising to wonderful emergences of stone flies, caddis, and mayflies, and terrestrial fishing is just beginning. We have good stream flows, the best in over a decade, and there are no stream closures and advisories due to warm water temperatures like last year. Heck, the Firehole is still fishing great! August looks to be strong, same with September, like the ol' days when we had good water flows all summer and fall. This year we are seeing very fat, healthy trout and fine hatches. Salmon flies are still emerging on the Madison! Just typing this report makes me want to get out and fish tonight, but it is still very windy and cold and the caddis will be put off with the falling barometer. I'm sure the Epeorus mayflies are still coming off but by the time I get to the river they'd be done emerging for the day. Let's get to the report and I will try and put tonight's fishing out of mind. Tomorrow is a day off so I will be on the river early, to take advantage of some fine egg-laying caddis and pale morning dun activity.

The Madison River in the Park is still fishing during morning spinner falls and Baetis mayfly emergences in the morning, caddis activity in the evenings. While there are better places to fish now, this river continues to provide anglers good dry fly fishing close to West Yellowstone.

The Firehole River is fishing well too during evening caddis action and damsel and dragon fly activity during the day. Flies like our Iris and White Miller X and emerger will produce in the late afternoon and evening. Daytime anglers are having fun fishing dragon and damsel flies, both adults and nymphs. Grasshopper, beetles and ants are also working well around the Goose Lake Meadows upstream to iron Spring Creek.

The Gibbon River has been a big surprise this summer. It has fished consistently well since late June with attractors, hoppers, ants and beetles. The evening fishing has been fun too with caddis. The upper meadows are to be explored during the evenings. Daytime action is expected around Beryl Springs, Gibbon Picnic Grounds, and Tuft Cliffs upstream to the falls.

The Yellowstone River is nearly twice its "normal" flow for this time of year and wading is not recommended. If you walk the shoreline you can find pods of cutthroats coming off their spawning grounds searching for salmon flies, golden stone flies, caddis, green drakes and pale morning duns. If you want to watch trout check out LeHardy Rapids but do NOT fish here. It is closed to angling, but a great place to watch big cutts!

The Gallatin River in the Park has fished very well for the past several days. Not only will you have trout rising to salmon flies and golden stones, now you will see rainbows coming up for pale morning duns, green drakes and a couple species of caddis flies too. The Taylor's Fork is still pumping in some greenish water and the river downstream of the fork is still a bit high and off-color but is just beginning to fish well. The Taylor's Fork is fishing a bit now even in the high and greenish water. Present salmon flies along the bank, within 6 inches of the shore and you might bring a big trout to the surface on this small stream too.

Slough Creek is a "must fish" now. The gray drakes and pale morning duns are emerging along with caddis in the afternoons and evenings. We recommend bringing plenty of Ultra-Thon bug dope, maybe even a head net to ward off biting flies and mosquitoes but the fishing is worth fending off the biting creatures. Soda Butte Creek is fishing now too. It will only get better in the following weeks as water temps warm and flows diminish, but it is worthy of your time during PMDs and gray drake time in the mornings and caddis in the evenings. Be prepared here and Slough Creek too, for hoppers and crickets, beetles and ants. A hint here is to stop in and see our latest hopper, beetle and ant patterns we have designed for '08. We need photos of your trout with our flies in their jaws, please send us some! The Lamar River is still very high but clearing, and a few hardcore anglers who just "have" to fish this great river have taken some very large fish walking the banks and fishing big crickets and sculpin imitations.

The Gardner River has been good with golden stones and attractors. Our friends over at

Park's Fly Shop in Gardiner, MT have had nothing but glowing reports on this little gem for the past several days since it has cleared of snow melt.

The Madison River below Earthquake Lake is fishing like we've not seen in many years. Salmon flies, caddis, mayflies, midges and terrestrials are all bringing trout to the surface. Here is my story: it is 8:15p.m. and the temperature has rebounded from the mid-50's to 67 degrees. The winds have subsided, the thunder and lightening past over without a drop of rain so I have to fish tonight. I will get you a report when I return home at 10:30!

I arrived and set up at 8:35p.m. Winds were calm, 64 degrees and overcast and a few fish were rising to emerging caddis flies. Earlier today I'd tied up a new emerging pattern and a couple egg-laying caddis to try. Both were fashioned of CDC with the emerging fly having a sparse zelon shuck. I tied on the emerging fly and took a brown trout I'd fished for unsuccessfully a few times this summer. He taped at 19", I really thought he'd go 20" but not so. The male had a huge hooked jaw and was very heavy in my Ghost Net. I took him on my second float over him and while fighting him I saw a nice rainbow rise just 20 feet upstream. I treated the fly with Frog's Fanny Floatant and presented my new pattern to the trout. It took several drifts but it finally came up and took, a nice 16" fat rainbow. Moving downstream I took a few more nice browns and rainbows on the fly and I was amazed not only how well the trout took this fly, but how easily it floated with a brushed treatment of Frog's Fanny. By 9:30 I reached the bridge and was ready to call it a night. One look at the bridge convinced me to heed our motto, "never leave rising trout"! I took 3 more good trout, 2 browns and 1 nice rainbow. All jumped and ran, and took me stumbling and chasing them downstream. A beaver here slapped its tail 3 different times as I approached the rising trout. I figured each time the fish would go down for the night but after a minute they'd begin to rise again.NEVER leave rising trout! After the third one I had to leave a couple risers and head home! 23, July 23, 2008 at 7a.m. Jackie and I headed back to the river below $3.00 Bridge. (I realize this is reading now like one of our fishing log entries but I think these 2 fishing instances will discuss what's going on the river, and how well it has fished.) When we arrived a few big trout were rising to midges. Knotting on a #20 Zelon Midge to 6x tippet we each took a good trout. Around 8:30 egg-laying caddis came to the water and we began taking fish on our new egg-laying pattern. A while later we ran out of the 4 egg-laying CDC flies I'd tied so we tried #14 X2 Caddis in tan and did very well for an hour, then the trout refused our X2's and started sipping Epeorus spinners. We took many fine sippers on our #16 pink spinners, and at 10am Jackie announced it was time to head in for a late breakfast. We left rising trout again, and no one on the river!

The Madison now requires Epeorus patterns along with caddis, stone flies, midges and terrestrials. The beetle and ant fishing is underway in the afternoon hours too. Do what the river tells you to do, observe riseforms and you might find that each trout is rising to a different insect. If they are rising to stones try Rogue River Stones, a low profile pattern. If trout rise to caddis you will want X and X2's along with spent, Iris and egg-laying flies. If on midges try a Zelon Midge, or nymph with a $3.00 Bridge Serendipity in brown, #14-16. Be flexible. Do NOT cover a lot of water. There are so many trout in each pool and pocket you can relax and take your time. Sit on the bank and watch the pool for a short time and you will see trout move to emergers, nymphs and dries. BE PATIENT! But get to this river as soon as you can for some of the best fishing we have seen in years!

The Henry's Fork is fishing well. There seem to be more trout this year than in the past several seasons. The Box Canyon stretch has fished well as has the upper ranch and Wood Road area. Pale morning duns and caddis along with Baetis on overcast days. Flying ants are showing now too.

Smaller streams in Yellowstone country are beginning to fish well now. Streams like the Park's Straight, Grayling, Blacktail Deer, and upper Firehole above Lone Star Trail are all producing. Area lakes are all fishing now. Hebgen's tricos are coming off as are the first fishable hatches of Callibaetis and evening caddis flies. Henry's continues to yield some nice brookies and we have dyed some nice grizzly saddles "Bill Schiess Brown" for you to tie Mighty Mites and other Henry's favorites. Hidden and Elk Lakes are fishing during Callibaetis time. Wade and Cliff continue to produce well on damsels and dragon flies and Callibaetis. In the Park try Wolf, Cascade and Grebe for grayling and rainbows and cutts. Now is the time for PMDs on Lewis and Yellowstone Lakes along with scattered Callibaetis emergences so be prepared Going back through this report I find I have gotten very long winded! I hope reading it is as exciting for you as it was for me to type it! You should be here now, in Yellowstone, to experience the best dry fly fishing of the season! Until next week, please call or stop by for current up-to-the-minute information and check out our new fly patterns too!

July 15, 2008 Craig Mathews

Most area waters are in good shape now with the exception of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek. The Yellowstone is also very big water but salmon flies are coming off and the fishing in and around Yellowstone National Park has been very good. Let's look at the rivers, lakes and streams for this week's fishing.

The Madison River in the Park is still fishing, early and late in the day. Look for PMD spinner falls along with a few gray drake spinners from 9-11am In the evenings look for caddis from 8 to 10 pm from the junction downstream to 7 Mile Bridge.

The River below Quake Lake has fished very well. The salmon flies are coming off near the West Fork and upstream to Raynold's Pass Bridge and the larger fish are on the dries. I talked with Richard Lessner of the Madison River Foundation this morning and he reports the second wave of the huge insects are emerging around McAtee Bridge so you can look for them all along the river from Mc upstream to The Slide. Evening caddis are in full swing from 8pm to 11pm; STAY LATE! PMDs and the first Epeorus mayflies are coming off now too. The fish will rise from 8am to dark now to insects like the above and also beetles, little yellow stones, ants and more. Get out to the river and experience the best dry fly fishing of the summer!

The upper Gallatin is fishing well with salmon flies, golden stones and some caddis. The river is clearing nicely and the fish are wanting to feed on top after a long runoff. The best rises of trout will be from Big Sky upstream to Fan Creek.

The Yellowstone in the Park below the lake opens today. We checked it out late last week and even though the river was still flowing knee deep through the trees and picnic tables, salmon flies were beginning to come off and the couple insects we captured and threw into the water were taken. The fish are still spawning around LeHardy Rapids so stop there and watch these beauties along the shoreline. Remember that the fishing is CLOSED here, but you will be tempted.

Slough Creek is fishing very well during gray drake spinner times in the mornings, 9-11am. Huge emergences of this big mayfly are nearly blanketing the stream and the cutts are rising nicely to them. A few PMDs will be seen too, and some larger rainbow-cutthroat hybrids will rise exclusively to these #18 insects so be ready with PMDs. Anglers fishing near the lower campground should see a sporadic emergence of salmon flies too.

The Lamar River and Soda Butte remain high, cold, muddy and unfishable, but both look like they may clear enough in the next several days to provide some fishing. Check with us before making the drive!

The Gardner River is fishing well during golden and little yellow stone hatches. The salmon flies are still around in number above the 45th parallel bridge too. We have had very good fishing with large attractor dries all the way from the junction of the river with the Yellowstone upstream to the Mammoth-Tower Bridge.

Hidden Lake and Elk Lake have produced during Callibaetis mayfly emergences. At times the hatch comes so strong on Hidden that it is tough to compete with all the naturals on the water, but it is worth the drive over into the Centennials just to see all the insects and rising trout not to mention the wildlife and waterfowl there too.

July 8, 2008 Craig Mathews

Salmon flies are ripe in the Madison Valley; so are caddis flies, mayflies, and midges! Area rivers and streams are in great fly fishing shape and the trout are rising to the insects. Don't forget to come out tomorrow if you're in the area for our "How to Live with Wildlife" seminar at Sun West Ranch. It's from 1 - 5 and it should be fun and very informative. Now to the fishing!

The Madison River is fishing very well now. The river is flowing at near normal flows for this time of year. The water is clear and the trout are rising to salmon flies from Wolf Creek upstream to $3.00 Bridge. Evening caddis are coming off from 8 to 10p.m. and PMDs are emerging during the late morning. Salmon fly dries like our famous Sunken Stone are taking trout on top, BIG trout! When PMDs are around try our PMD Cripple or Sparkle Duns. Larger brown trout like to patrol the shoreline prior to the morning hatch in search of emerging nymphs, so do not be without the PMD Foam Nymph for this.

Evening caddis fishing is just beginning from the West Fork upstream to around Raynold's Pass Bridge. We like the Wilcox AC Caddis, Iris and X for this activity. You can count on taking many fine rising trout for the next several weeks during caddis time. Evenings also bring good midge fishing in selected spots along the river near $3.00 Bridge. If you come upon sipping, often head-and-tailing trout and they refuse everything you present then you haven't given them what they want - a Zelon Midge!

A sleeper bet for fishing mid-day is to present black beetles along the shoreline. You will note thousands of natural beetles crawling along the streamside grasses and so many fall into the water becoming easy prey to the fish. Need we say more! Nymphing has been superb with Guides and Krystal Serendipities along with tiny beadhead mayfly nymphs like the Ruby and Trigger Nymphs. Remember that a float trip is the best way to fish salmon flies so book one today.

The Gallatin River in the Park is beginning to fish on top with large attractors like PMX's. The stones should come off next week so be prepared for them. The river below Taylor Fork is still high and muddy.

The Madison and Firehole in the Park are fishing well. PMD spinner falls on both rivers have been epic. The spinners come on around 9am on the Firehole, 10am on the Madison. The female spinners are olive in color and size #16-18. Evening caddis fishing has been strong on both rivers too. The White Miller, (Nectospyche sp.) is the one bringing the fish to the surface so be prepared with emergers and adult patterns. The Firehole will fish best above Midway Geyser Basin now, all the way upstream to Biscuit.

The Henry's Fork is fishing great, we are pleased to report. The RxR Ranch stretch has turned on during PMD emergences in the morning. Brown Drakes continue to come off in the late evening. We have seen lots of rising trout on the ranch and upstream to The Box, Wood Road has fished well lately too after a few "slow" years here. Below Ashton, Idaho look for PMDs and Flavs to bring up some very nice browns and rainbows. Be ready with cripples and spinner and impaired dun imitations. Evening caddis are strong now also, all along the river but especially on the RxR Ranch stretches. Spent Sparkle Caddis as well as X2 and the Outrigger Caddis have been very effective!

The Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek should not be in your plans for a while yet. Both are flowing very high and muddy. Slough Creek is trying to clear up and fish. We have had friends there who report taking fish on streamers. The water is dropping and clearing and should be fine in a week or so. For those looking for smaller, out-of-the-way waters check with us when you arrive and we'll draw you a couple maps and turn you loose!

Lakes fishing well now include Elk, Hidden, Henry's, Wade and Hebgen. Hidden is seeing some great Callibaetis activity and Hebgen's early Callibaetis are showing now too. Elk is fishing well during this same mayfly emergence along with some evening caddis. Henry's Lake has been awesome with Sheep Creek Specials and Bill Schiess patterns which reminds me that we just dyed up some beautiful "Bill Schiess Brown" saddle hackles for those of you who tie your own Mighty Mites and other Henry's Lake flies.

Sleeper bet lakes include Trout Lake for large rainbows, (spawning cutts are in the tributary stream, which along with the inlet area opens to fishing July 15). Here try small scuds in olive, gray and pink along with a Twinkle Midge. Present your fly well ahead of the cruisers so that it has time to sink to the bottom or become hung up on weeds. As the trout nears give it a pull and hang on for the take! Cascade and Grebe Lakes are fishing well now too during Callibaetis activity, and both offer a wonderful chance at catching and releasing a lovely grayling along with a nice hike in and out.

Get out and enjoy all the Yellowstone waters that are fishing well now. If you are coming to fish this area you could not have picked a better time for dry fly fishing! One last thing, when fishing any area in Yellowstone this year make sure you have bear spray and know how to use it! We have had bears in our yard, and at $3.00 Bridge, on all area lakes and smaller waters too - be prepared.

Until next time, call or email for current-up-to-the-minute information from fly patterns to equipment to places to stay!

July 2, 2008 Craig Mathews

I attended the Western Governors' Association meetings in Jackson, Wyoming this past weekend. My old friend Tom Brokaw was the moderator, and delivered the key note at the opening session which dealt with wildlife corridors and energy development. Tom's passion for Montana was evident in his speech and he brought the crowd to its feet twice during his talk!

The "Freedom to Roam" program was introduced at the convention too. This is a wonderful concept to protect areas from harmful development and protect wildlife migration corridors. It was heartening to visit with the western governors present at the convention and find a collective agreement amongst them to protect these irreplaceable wildlife corridors. The governors also expressed their love for wild places and wild trout. It feels good to know our western political leaders are mostly on the same page as all of us who want to protect, preserve and enhance clean water, wild places and wildlife for our kids.

How about the fishing? It has been good, and getting even better! The Madison below Earthquake Lake is clearing and the flows are being reduced now. The dry fly action has begun on the river from Raynold's Pass Bridge downstream during caddis times, mostly in the evenings. During daytime look for beetles and big attractors to bring the fish to the surface. Large stimulators and Wulffs along with Japanese Beetles work well from 10am to 4pm. Caddis are emerging in the late evenings, mostly Hydropscyhe. Tan X and X2 along with Outrigger Caddis are working, size #14. Nymphing has been good too with Guide Serendipities, WMD Stones and Micro Mayfly Nymphs. Trail a #16 Soft Hackle Caddis or GloBug Caddis Pupa behind a WMD Stone Nymph and you will be surprised at how large a brown trout you can bring up! Salmon flies will begin this week upstream of Ennis so now is a great time to arrive in Yellowstone country.

The Henry's Fork has fished well around Last Chance and below Ashton, Idaho. During the evenings look for rusty spinners to bring the fish to the surface along with a few caddis. Downstream of Ashton .look for Gray Drakes and PMD's. The Box Canyon stretch has fished well lately also, mostly with golden stones and large attractors on top and nymphs like red Serendipities and Amber Stones.

The Gallatin is still a week away from prime dry fly fishing condition although it is clear above Taylor's Fork but still very cold. Same with the Gardner River near Mammoth. Try them after the weekend. The stones are due on both rivers and when they come off both rivers will be outstanding.

Slough Creek can be fished but the going is slow with all the cold-high water conditions. The stream will fish by the 8th of July when PMD's and stones come off on the lower stretches. Small streams like Grayling Creek have fished very well. You have to pick and choose your streams this time of years, and with these water conditions. For instance, Indian Creek in the Madison Valley is still dangerously high so it is best to check in with us before making the trip.

The Gibbon River in the Park is fishing very well. The river above the falls is great with little yellow stoneflies. The river downstream of the falls is fishing well too with Goddard Caddis; just ask Bucky and his friends who have had banner days on this river during stonefly times. Too, check the lower meadows for Gray Drake Spinner falls and caddis activity in the evenings!

Both the Madison and Firehole River are fishing well. The Firehole is still giving up PMD emergences daily and the Madison's PMDs are just beginning to come off in numbers. Overcast days are best. The Madison around 7 Mile Bridge and the junction and the Firehole above Midway are your best bets. The evening caddis on both rivers are strong so have plenty of White Miller patterns along; flies like X and White Miller Soft Hackle Emergers and Iris.

Lakes like Grebe and Cascade in the Park are fishing very well during Callibaetis Mayfly hatches and damselfly emergences. Bring bear spray and enjoy a day of catching some nice little grayling. Hebgen, Cliff and Wade, Elk and Hidden Lakes are fishing now too. Check in for the latest midges and crayfish patterns for these lakes and remember that Wade's damsel activity gets going this week and this is your time to take a huge trout from Wade Lake.

With the water levels dropping daily on area rivers this will be a fine time to fish Yellowstone country. Some of the season's best fishing this year might be in August and early September, a time when warm, low water has been a problem for us during the past few late seasons. This year promises to be different. See you on the water!

June 26th, 2008

Bucky McCormick

The Madison River

Wade stretch: We are going to see the flows increase greatly out of Hebgen Dam by the weekend. This will bring much clearer and cooler water into the system. Nymphing along the banks is going to be the preferred method. Smaller nymph rigs than we have been using should come into play. Try a Beadhead pheasant tail, Prince, or $3 Bridge serendipity in a size 14 with a Baetis nymph, or Micro Madison Midge dropper.

The float stretch: With all the water flowing through this stretch going under the Wolf Creek bridge and Shelton’s will be difficult. If one would like to float, Palisades down will be the best option. With the warmer air temperatures we should begin to see more Salmon flies around the Ennis area. Rogue salmon flies, and Sunken Stones are excellent choices for surface work along with black or brown rubber legs for underneath.

The Gallatin River:  This River is still running very high, but is showing some signs of clearing in the Park stretch. I would give this one a little more time before attempting to dredge up a few trout.

Hebgen Lake: There are plenty of Midges hatching all over this body of water. Early mornings and again in the evening are the two times to give this a try. Miracle midges, Zelon midges, Chan’s chironomides, and even a small parachute Adams have all worked well. Searching with a Foxy Minnow or Leech pattern has also produced a few really nice trout.

Yellowstone National Park

The Firehole River: There are still plenty of PMDs and caddis hatching on this river. Morning spinner falls have been occurring around 9:30 with PMD duns emerging around 10:30. Cloudy days are best for this hatch. The evening caddis fishing has been very good from 7:00pm to dark. Our Oecetis cripple, Iris caddis, Tan X-caddis, and Black X-caddis have been necessary patterns to meet the variety of emergences one may encounter.

The Madison in the Park: Salmon flies are beginning to wind down, but the fish are still looking for the big bugs. Any of the heavier water can produce. Once again Sunken stones and Rogue River salmon flies have been best. Evening caddis activity has also been quite good throughout the river. Oecetis cripples and Iris caddis have been best.

Gibbon River: Golden Stones have been coming of in good numbers throughout the area below the falls to the confluence with the Madison. Rogue golden stones or Yellow Stimulators have been working very well. There have also been a few PMDs during the mid morning hours along with caddis during the afternoon and evening ours. A tan X-caddis in a size 16 along with a 16 PMD sparkle dun are good choices.

Grebe Lake: This is an easy 3 mile hike for Grayling and Rainbow trout in the 8 to 12 inch range. Evening stars, leech patterns, along with a few zebra midges should all produce well. You may carry a float tube up (you will need a permit to use a tube in the park) or simply walk the shoreline and blind cast. Both methods can be very effective. Be sure to bring your waders along as the level is quite high this year and getting around the lake while keeping your feet dry is not an easy proposition.

 

June 18th, 2008

Bucky McCormick

The Madison River

Wade stretch: The flows in the Madison continue to be quite high although the water out of the dam has been reduced some. Cabin Creek and Beaver Creek are beginning to run high and dirty again which should bring a bit more color to the river. Rubber leg nymphs with San Juan droppers have been most effective. Streamers should also come back into play if the water does muddy. Black Buggers along with Sculpin patterns have been producing best so far.

The float stretch: We are beginning to see a few Caddis appear below the West Fork. The numbers have not been too high, but this should improve with the warmer temperatures. Tan X-Caddis along with a tan Iris Caddis will fit the bill. Salmon flies could start around Ennis on the 21st or there about. Keep an ear or eye open for this hatch to begin. Rubber legs and prince nymph droppers have been working very well.

The Gallatin River: This River was showing some signs of clearing, but the increase in temperature has put an end to that. If driving through the park on 191 take a look. Green is good. Wooly Buggers and rubber legs should take a few nice trout.

Hebgen Lake: The midge fishing has slowed down somewhat, but could certainly pick back up again. Hebgen Miracle Midges have been our favorite so far. Calm sunny mornings are est for this hatch. Take a walk along the north shore and watch for risers. This is also a good spot to cast Crayfish or leech patterns to trout cruising along the shoreline.

Yellowstone National Park

The Firehole River: Pmd’s and Baetis are still hatching in good numbers during the late morning hours. Cloudy days have been best. Sparkle duns, cripples, and spinner patterns for both area necessity. Sunny afternoons are best with soft hackle patterns. Evening Caddis activity has been very good as of late. White Miller X-Caddis, Iris Caddis, and White Miller soft hackles have all been working well. Salmon flies have been hatching in good numbers in the canyon stretch throughout most of the afternoon. This is certainly the place to hook a large Brown on the Firehole. Nicks Sunken Stone or a Rogue River Salmon fly have taken more than their far share.

The Madison in the Park: Inconsistent has been the norm here. If the stars all fall into line; Pmd’s, Baetis, and Caddis can all be seen. Take a look around Mount Haynes or the Junction. We should also start to see Salmon flies on this river. Any of the choppy water stretches can produce. Sunny afternoons will be best for this hatch.

Yellowstone Lake: There have been a few Cutthroats being caught around Gull Point. Black Wooly Buggers and Brown Leech patterns have worked well. One should not expect to hook many trout here, but the ones hooked will be quite large.

 

10 June 2008

The weather forecasters tell us that warmer weather can be expected this weekend. Yellowstone country is in the 7th month of winter. Elk and bison calves wander the park along rivers like the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison and gaze at fly fishers with blank stares the anglers can almost “feel”,  longing for  warmer-dryer days.

Last Sunday we watched a boar grizzly swat down a newborn elk calf. The calf was born Saturday afternoon and laid under sage brush to escape the snowy weather. Along came the grizzly, wandering amongst a herd of cows and calves seemingly uninterested in pursuing prey when suddenly the big bear swatted the calf down, and within fifteen minutes had finished its meal. All the while the calf’s mother and dozens of other elk watched from a short distance. This happened almost in our front yard.

This year the elk are calving in the valley instead of the safer-higher mountains. They cannot reach their traditional calving grounds due to deep snows still in the mountains where they normally deliver their young. This has been one of those winters, like “the old days” the old-time ranchers tell us. It all bodes well for the rivers and their trout inhabitants, as well as the fly fishers who come here to fish this summer and fall. It however, is not so good for the large numbers of deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose forced to remain in the lower river valleys and become easy prey for wolves and grizzlies.

This will be a very good year for anglers who plan to come to the Yellowstone region in spring, summer and fall!

For those who enjoy fishing rivers like the Firehole and Madison in the Park, Pale Morning Dun and Baetis mayfly emergences have been awesome. With warmer weather on the way we should see caddisfly activity surge too. Look for Salmonflies to emerge this weekend and into next week in the Firehole Canyon and along the Madison River from the junction to the Barns’ Pools.

Pale Morning Duns should continue to come off both rivers. The first emergences of pmds began on the Madison in the park yesterday, June 9th.   We were on our way to fish the Firehole and just happened to check the Madison near Madison Jct. As we drove in the parking area we were greeted by fish rising to a huge PMD emergence! From 1:30 to 4p.m. the #16-18 duns hatched and the fish rose to them. We took several big holdover brown and rainbows, still in the river on their spawning mission from Hebgen Lake last fall and this spring. These fish will rise to the river’s hatches during the next several weeks. And, this may be one of those years that these larger trout remain in the Madison in the park all summer due to cooler water and better stream flows as long as we continue to receive rain. On a “normal” year the river warms up around the 4th of July sending these larger fish back downstream to Hebgen Lake for the summer months.

Look for caddis to become strong on both waters beginning this weekend. The White Miller, (Nectopsyche sp) along with Hydropsyche caddisflies should begin to show up in fishable numbers with the warming trend.

One fishing hint here is that the larger trout in both rivers are famous for preferring emerging mayfly and caddis so be prepared. Case-in-point was on the Firehole at Midway last Sunday when we fished a fine PMD emergence from 1 to 4pm. When the nymphs first became active prior to emerging the river’s larger browns fed on ascending nymphs for nearly 30 minutes before switching to emergers then duns. With PMD Nymphs we were able to fool several fine browns to 16” before the fish turned to emergers in the surface film. By taking the time and making a change from nymphs to emergers we were able to take a few more selective trout before the fish went to the high winged impaired duns, those trapped in their shucks. Then we tied on cripples and sparkle duns and had a banner afternoon until a herd of buffalo put our fish down as the shaggy critters waltzed across the river.

The Madison River below Earthquake Lake is fishing very well now with nymphs and streamers. A deadly combo is a reddish-brown McKee’s Rubber Leg Stone trailing a #14 red beadhead Serendipity. The river is clearing nicely and you might come on a few fish rising to midges and Baetis mayflies so be prepared. Best areas seem to be around the West Fork and upstream to Babbling Brook.

Yellowstone Lake opens this Sunday, June 15th. The ice has been off the lake for a week or so now and the cutthroat trout are still cruising the shoreline around Gull, Pumice, and Sand Points. The lake’s level is good this spring and the cutts should patrol the shoreline for a few weeks before moving to deeper water. Leeches and sculpin patterns are always effective as are shrimp patterns in gray and olive.

The Henry’s Fork Railroad Ranch section opens June 15th also. Here the water is high and cold and the insects will still be on hold waiting for a few days of warmer temps. The stones are still coming off in Box Canyon and nymphing there continues to produce.

Hebgen Lake’s midge emergences are cranking up and will become stronger in the warming weather. The north shoreline has been good for big rainbows taking midge emergers and cripples during the mornings and the south shoreline has fished best in the evenings with the prevailing southwest winds.

Wade Lake has been great. Browns to 22” and rainbows 16-19” on Evening Stars and olive mini and HalBop Leeches. Cliff Lake is good too with crayfish patterns.

We are getting some good reports from Henrys Lake from those veteran anglers fishing Bill Schiess patterns. We have just dyed some saddle hackle “Bill Schiess Brown” so stop by and get a fresh saddle before supplies dwindle.

Give us a call, email, or better yet stop by for a cup of coffee and let’s visit about some fishing opportunities and fly patterns and materials for this season. We’d love to see or hear from you!

3 June 2008

Water conditions are high, cold, and turbid in Yellowstone country. Look for flows to recede on rivers like the Firehole and Madison in the park during the next week. Mayflies and caddis are bringing trout to the surface on the Firehole. Giant Stoneflies will continue to emerge on the Henry’s Fork. Area lakes are fishing well too. Plus, where else can you fish alongside geysers, grazing bison and howling wolves?

Let’s look at this week’s fishing opportunities.

All of us here at BRF have fished the Firehole River during the past week. I fished it four times and had three good days. Lots of PMD and Baetis mayflies have emerged on rainy afternoons from 2-4 p.m. The White Miller Caddis are beginning to show now too. The river came up big-time yesterday, nearly to 1000 cfs, but flows are now dropping and barring anymore deluges we can expect better dry fly fishing over the following few weeks. PMDs and Baetis will continue in the afternoon hours. Look for spinner falls of both mayflies during warm-calm mornings which we have seen so few of the past week. The caddis activity has been mostly sporadic and spotty but it should improve with the better weather. The forecast is for a couple days of cool-unsettled conditions, then back to a warmer-drier pattern. Best producing flies are PMD and Baetis Sparkle Duns and cripples, White Miller Soft Hackle Emergers and X Caddis and a wide variety of soft hackles ranging from Ephemerella Emergers to PT-CDC Soft Hackles.

The salmon fly hatch is due later this week too, in the Firehole Canyon. We have checked sentinel rocks and where last week we found 3 stone nymphs on 20 rocks, this week its 20 stones on 3 rocks!

The Madison River in the park is flowing high and cold. We look for conditions to improve on this river during the following few days too. With this spring’s high water we anticipate good Gray Drake emergence to begin in mid-June. The Salmonflies should come off in the next 7-10 days, and PMDs and Baetis mayflies will begin then too.

The Madison below Hebgen continues to produce well although the water is nearing 2500cfs which is a BIG, nasty piece of H2O! Be careful fishing here. Try big rubber legs with a Red Serendipity trailer.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake is fishing very well too. Again, as above, this is a dangerous river now so use a wading staff if you must wade…we do not recommend wading. Now, the fish are on shore, along the footpath so there is really no need to get your feet wet. The fish are really looking for sculpins and whitefish juveniles in the drift so a dead-drifted streamer is deadly. Stop by for a look at our incredible selection of sculpin and baitfish patterns.

Nymphing is great here to, even in the high flow. Try a tiny Baetis mayfly pattern trailed behind a big Prince Nymph and you will take some nice fish.

Hebgen Lake is great now during calm mornings along the north shore. In the evenings we like the southern shoreline below Lonesome Hurst Camp. The midges are active when the winds lay down. A Hebgen Midge in size #18 along with a Chan’s Pupa #14-16 will work on the cruising rainbows. Pitching huge streamers from the shore works well when the wind blows.

Cliff and Wade Lakes are fishing like never before! A few very large browns have been brought to net at Wade and Cliff’s rainbow trout are easy to fool now. Try crawfish patterns on both lakes (Cliff’s upper arms are loaded with crayfish), leeches and small nymphs are working too. A Feather Duster, beaded or unbeaded, is a deadly little pattern on both lakes as are Sparrows.

The Henry’s Fork is fishing well in the Warm River stretch, (upstream of Warm River), along with the Box Canyon area. The big stones are emerging and while fish are mostly nymphing we have had some very good dry-fly action in The Box. Rubberleg stone patterns trailing a red Copper John, or beaded PT Soft Hackle are working well. Nick’s Sunken and Rogue River Stones are producing on top.

Special Note: PLEASE leave the spawning fish in tributaries to their spawning!

 

28 May 2008

The Firehole River has fished well the first three days of the new season. This has been somewhat of a surprise to all of us. With our huge snow pack, late spring snows, followed by heavy rains, we all thought the river would be cold and turbid featuring a nymph-streamer proposition for the first week or two. But, cold nights have kept heavy snowmelt at bay and the river has fished well during Baetis and Pale Morning Dun times from The Broads upstream to Muleshoe Bend. If and when 70 degree temps return, coupled with above freezing nighttime temps, we will see some heavy runoff conditions return.

For now the Baetis and PMDs will continue to bring the fish to the surface from noon until 5 or 6 p.m. Look for caddis to begin emerging this week too. Best flies are #18-20 Baetis and #16 Firehole PMD Sparkle Duns and Cripples. Caddis like White Miller Soft Hackle Emergers, Iris and White X should be in your boxes too. Nymphing anglers will do very well fishing small patterns like PMD Soft Hackle Nymphs and Nick’s Soft Hackles. Hard Charger Streamers can be counted on for some bigger brown trout too.

The Madison in the Park has fished with big streamers like Copper Zonkers. The water is high and off-color and won’t clear until the end of the first week in June. Then we can expect PMDs and Gray Drakes. Stay tuned for current info on this great springtime river.

The Henry’s Fork, Gibbon, Gallatin and others remain high and cold and not worth your fly fishing efforts.

The Madison River below Hebgen Lake has fished well. This short section is receiving a lot of attention and is quite crowded. Small nymphs like #14 Krystal and Red Serendipities can be counted on for taking some very nice rainbows. The water is cold and muddy below the junction of Cabin Creek.

The Madison River from Earthquake Lake to Lyon Bridge is fishing with nymphs and streamers. The water is muddy and cold but the fishing has been very good with peacock beadhead nymphs, Krystal Dips, Pink Lightning Bugs, and Sculpzilla Streamers in tan or olive. If you don’t mind fishing muddy water this river is on fire!

Hebgen, Wade, and Cliff Lakes are fishing very well.  Henry’s has been only fair. Midges are coming off on Hebgen, with lots of risers along the north shore. If calm conditions prevail look for three weeks of some of the best dry fly fishing in the country! Check in for our effective patterns to fish this activity with.

On Wade and Cliff you might see some midging fish, but the better fishing will be had by pitching streamers like peacock buggers into the shoreline areas. A few big browns have been taken on Wade both early and late day. Cliff’s trout are on the average smaller than those from Hebgen and Wade; they fight well though, and you can count on catching more while fishing one of the most beautiful lakes in the world!

Until next week good fishing, and call or email us with any questions!   

26 May 2008

It is 12 noon and I'm gettting really anxious to run out of the shop and try the Firehole. We were wrong, dead wrong , in our earlier forecast of stream conditions. We thought the Firehole would be high and cold and turbid and basically offer no dry-fly fishing opportunities. How wrong we were! Opening day was grand below Midway Geyser Basin all the way downstream to "The Broads". At 1p.m. Baetis mayflies came off, at 2p.m. PMDs emergered and we had some great dry fly fishing. Yesterday we saw this same scenario, Baetis then PMD's, 1p.m. to 4p.m. Today should be good too. The night temps have been very cool, daytime too so the runoff has been slow and the river has been in good shape for fishing dries.

The Gibbon is very high, Gibbon meadows looks more like Gibbon Lake. This makes the Madison in the park still very high but we have seen fishermen landing browns on streamers as we drive by on the way to the Firehole.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake is on fire using nymphs and streamers. The water is high and stained and the fish are looking for most anything to feed on.

I'm out the door to the Firehole so a report on this afternoon is forthcoming.

Craig

20 May 2008

Yellowstone National Park’s general fishing season opens this coming Saturday, May 24th. The first thing you will want to remember is to purchase your 2008 Yellowstone Fishing Permit before taking to the rivers, lakes and streams for what will be an epic season. Remember, the money generated from the sale of these licenses goes directly to work in Yellowstone. Every dime goes to the fishing program; not a penny of your permit fee leaves the park. What a bargain, to pay so little for such a wonderful privilege as fishing the world’s first national park.

The Firehole River is our choice for the opening day. The river is in full runoff at this time, but if the forecasted cooler weather moves in the river should be in good shape this weekend .The water will be high and a bit off-color but the fishing will be good. We checked it out Sunday the 18th and again Monday, and saw a few rising fish coming to Baetis and caddis. While we can’t guarantee water conditions, we know we will be there fishing and so should you! The water above Nez Perce Creek may be best due to this tributary bringing in some cooler, turbid water.

Look for emergences of Baetis and Pale Morning Dun Mayflies along with a couple caddis and midges too. Patterns like White Miller Soft Hackles and White X Caddis along with PMD Sparkle Duns and Baetis Sparkle Duns are a must. Wet fly anglers can expect great action with Royal Coachmans, the old standby for this river, as well as soft hackle beadhead patterns. For taking some truly large browns try the are below Midway Geyser Basin with peacock wooly buggers and Clouser Foxy Minnows.

The rest of Yellowstone rivers and streams will be in runoff condition for the following few weeks and most lakes in the park are still froze over. Heck, the snow was over the second floor at the cabins in Grant but has melted down to the roofs!

Henry’s Lake opens this weekend. It was still frozen over the 18th of May but the ice will be off this Saturday. Be there if you want to take a few very large cutt-bow hybrids. Flies like our leeches, Sheep Creeks, and Hard Chargers will bring some very large fish to the net this weekend.

Hebgen, Cliff and Wade Lakes are fishing great now too. This is the time of year, when the ice comes off, the larger trout are always taken. They have all fished well this past week. The ice is just now coming off Hebgen, a full 10 days later than “normal”, whatever that is now! We all like peacock buggers, Hard Chargers, Sparrows and Sheep Creek Specials on these lakes. For Cliff, and on the north shore of Hebgen Lake since they arrived on this lake the last 2 years, crayfish imitations will take some very large trout. Midges are at least a week away but we have been tying some Hebgen and Twinkle Midges and getting ready for spring midging!

We are optimistic the Henry’s Fork should fish well in and downstream of Box Canyon. The river here is open TO the RxR Ranch, it remains closed IN the ranch stretch until June 15th. The river will be bank full and hatches of March Browns, Baetis and caddis might come off and bring trout to the surface.

The Madison River below Hebgen Dam is clear and fishing well for the ¼ mile upstream of Cabin Creek. This stretch is open year around and receives a lot of fishing pressure this time of year due to clear water. It is mostly a nymphing proposition with Zebra Midges, PT’s, etc.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished very well since it opened last Saturday. The West Fork is rolling along looking more like a chocolate milk shake so you will want to fish the opposite bank downstream of it, to Windy Point where the West Fork’s influence finally takes over the entire river and makes it turbid downstream.

The river above the West Fork will fish well for the next few days before the muddy waters of Cabin and Beaver Creeks make their way completely through Quake Lake causing the river to become turbid below. We have had great dry fly fishing around Raynold’s and $3.00 Bridge. March Browns, Baetis and midges are emerging and a few Brachycentrus caddis (Mother’s Day Caddis) are beginning to show now too. The fish are looking up, but the nymphing angler and those who enjoy streamer fishing are doing fine now too. The fish have had a long winter and are eager to feed on a wide assortment of flies. Drop by, or call for current information and check out our new Madison River fly patterns we have tied for you this year!

13 May 2008

For the next several weeks, area stream conditions will make things interesting. Due to our cool-wet spring following a huge snow year we are left with a lot of snow to melt! Rivers like the Madison have not come up yet, but this week the dam keeper has announced he will bump the river's flow up at least 20%; this coupled with projected warmer temps mean we will see the river's flow reach over 1000 cfs near the West Fork. This flow is pretty "normal" for this time of the year, but it will get much higher in the following weeks, maybe as high as 3500 or even a little higher so be prepared to fish nymphs and streamers.

When the river opens this Saturday, May 17th, anglers can expect slight off-color water with average flows. I still expect to see some rising trout coming to Baetis and March Brown mayflies along with scattered midge emergences too.

The ice is beginning to leave the shoreline of Hebgen and Quake Lakes and we feel there will be some fishing, from shore, on these lakes along with Cliff and Wade Lakes too.

The Yellowstone Park general fishing season opens May 24th this year. We look for the Firehole to be high and slightly off-color then and flow so for the following week or two. We are hoping for dry fly fishing sometime late the first week of the season during Baetis and Pale Morning Dun times, maybe an evening caddis too but this is very optimistic on our part! There is tons of high country snow to come down so it will be best to check with us before making the drive into Yellowstone. On a side note, there have been up to 7 grizzlies along the river, and the bison calves are roaring around in the meadows so it is a great wildlife time too in Yellowstone Park.

This spring has seen wonderful dry fly fishing on most of our area waters, with perfect weather and water conditions to bring on some heavy mayfly and midge emergences. You might want to check out our email newsletter, if you're not already a subscriber, which gives an angling journal, more fishing information, stream conditions, hatch information, new products, fly patterns and much, much more. Simply sign up in the box above and have a look! You will enjoy the photographs too!

Stay tuned for more fishing news...

 

"You should have been here last week!"

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2006 Fishing Reports

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