Bozeman

UMR. Go early for the best action. Large streamers-rabbit strips-using a dead drift technique has been the best option for the fish down low. The dry fly action is up and down. Best suggestion is using a stimulator or other attractor fly with a smaller caddis or bead head prince nymph flashback behind it. Try using other terrestrials such as ants and beetles to change things up.

LMR The restrictions are still in place that the lower Madison is closed from 2pm to midnight to recreation due to drought conditions.

Yellowstone This is the hot spot. Use hoppers; try a variety of sizes and colors. Stoneflies (Pat’s Stones or rubber legs in brown and olive colors) are still working their magic but will decline as the hoppers take over. Zonkers in olive and white color are getting great reactions from the fish.

Gallatin River- Spruce moths still a great option for the morning. Nymphing using smaller patterns of bead head hares ear or lightning bugs. Hoppers are working great used in combination with a dropper such as copper bobs in green and black colors or MREs.

Dailey Lake-Temporary closure of the west shore access road to Daily lake.

Butte

The Big Hole River is fishable this week from Dickey Bridge to the Salmonfly Bridge at Melrose.

The upper Big Hole and the lower Big Hole are closed in its entirety.

Grasshoppers and Parachute Hoppers are working very well. Spruce Moths are also beginning to take a few fish. Panther Martin lures in black and chartreuse or Black and Yellow are good choices for spin fishing.

The Beaverhead River has been fishing well from Clark Canyon to Pointdexter Slough. Small caddis hatches and grasshoppers are a great food source for the fish this time of year. Night Crawlers and spinners are good choices on the Beaverhead as well. Fishermen are catching a lot of nice trout at Clark Canyon this year. Suspended night crawlers or brown and gold countdown Rapalas trolled 12 to 15 feet deep are bring home a lot of fish.

Georgetown Lake has been fishing well to fly casters and bait fishermen alike. Powerbait, night crawlers, cheese or corn all seem to work pretty well. Mohair Leeches or Wooly Buggers slow stripped in the weed beds lead to a lot of hookups.

Hammered copper spoons are a good choice around Denton’s Point.

(Report by Ryan Corwin – Bob Ward and Sons; Cover photo: wright-mcgill.com)