Bozeman Rec Report
The salmon flies are here on the Upper Madison. We have been getting great reports on the Bob’s Bullet head Salmonfly pattern and Bright Orange para foam salmon fly. If you are a trooper and out in the morning use some pale morning duns (PMD’s) or yellow humpies (aka yellow sallies). If dries aren’t your pleasure the gold stones are working fantastically.
The Lower Madison salmon fly hatch is a go here as well. If you want to change it up use some olive colored caddis flies. Keep an eye out for mayflies; the hatch is sporadic but you may just get lucky. If you are wanting to nymph use San Juan worms and crawfish with an olive or black caddis emerger.
The Yellowstone is clearing up. Still has some color so flashy patterns might work better. Nymphing is working the best with olive or black stone flies. The Salmon fly hatch has begun so make sure you are packing those with you too.
The Gallatin River is fishing pretty well. Definitely throw some salmon flies as the hatch is going there. Keep an eye out for some of the other hatches that might be going on; caddis and mayfly. If nymphing, use smaller golden stoneflies and caddis.
If you are headed into Yellowstone National Park pick up the 3 day ($18), 7 day ($25), and season passes ($40) at Bob Ward’s. Be sure to swing in and pick yours up so you can fish on your way into the park.
Butte Rec Report
Fishing conditions have been steadily improving despite the recent rains in SW Montana. The rivers are running high, but clear.
The Big Hole has been fishing well with large Caddis hatches on the west end of the river and caddis reappearing in the Maiden Rock area North of Melrose. Golden Stones with a yellow Sallie dropper have shown promise and should be an excellent choice in the next few weeks. Elk Hair Caddis, Goddard Caddis or Hemmingway caddis are great choices.
The Beaverhead River has been fishing well with Mosquito patterns and Adams near Poindexter Slough. Golden Stones should be coming on in the next few weeks near Pipe Organ Bridge and above. Warmer weather should bring some Drake activity onto the sloughs.
Georgetown Lake has been good for trolling. Rapalas in a Hot Steel color pattern or Fire Crawdad have been a good choice. Bank Fishermen are casting spoons or Powerbait and catch some nice Rainbow Hybrids.
Delmoe Reservoir has slowed for the bank fishermen; however the trolling has been steadily improving. Pontoon Boats are netting a few with Damsel flies.
The Jefferson River has been a float fisherman’s paradise. Mepps and Panther Martin spinners in Gold and Black have been very effective on the trout. Stimulators have been a good choice for fly fishermen. Double up with a bead head dropper and the number of hookups should increase.
Recent warm weather has opened up roads to local mountain lakes and the fishing has been great in areas like Browns Lake and Agnes Lake to name a few.
(Report by Ryan Corwin – Bob Ward and Sons; Photo: finsandfeathersonline.com)
