Gallatin River:

As of 8/24 the Hoot Owl closure has been lifted for the Gallatin below Shed’s Bridge and for the entire length of the East Gallatin. The past week has had plenty of cloud cover, on these cool darker days try throwing black streamers and sculpin patterns for bigger aggressive fish. Spruce moths are still being spotted along the canyon with more and more hoppers showing up daily. Mayfly and caddis hatches are still present. However, the cooler weather has made the emergences vary day to day.  So, if you’re looking for dry action and not getting it, be willing to move around and try different spots.

Dry Fly Suggestions:

Chubby Chernobyl 6-8-10-12, PMD’s 14-16-18, Tilt Wing BWO: 12-16, Thorax BWO: 12-16, Wild Turkey Baetis: 12-16 Caddis Tan: 16-18, Hemmingway Caddis: 16-18-20 Yellow humpy: 10-14, Stimulator yellow, orange: 10-12-14-16, Rusty Spinner: 14-16-18

Nymph Rig Suggestions:

4-6 Delektable Hurless, 4-6 Mega Prince: 4-6 Mega Hare’s Ear: 6-8 Pheasant Tail; 8-18 Keystone Golden and Brown: 6-8 Rubberlegs Coffee, Goldenstone, Black: 4-6-8 Copper John Blue, Black, Red: 12-14 Lightning Bug Silver, Original, Gold: 12-14-16

Madison River: Upper

The upper Madison has been fairly tough fishing still. Streamer fishing has been working well with shinny small streamers. Fishing in the first couple hours of light and late evening has produced the best results. The water temps on the upper are getting hot and there has been talk of Hoot Owl Closures being put into effect. Some Spruce Moths have started to appear and best results have come on them from late afternoon until dark. Some October Caddis have been spotted, and caddis nymphs seem to be getting the job done, but overall the fishing in the middle of the day can be rough. At nightfall in the late evening there have been some spinner falls.

Dry Fly Suggestions:

Chubby Chernobyl 6-12: PMD Comparadun 14-18, Challenged PMD 16-18, Chubby Sally 14, X-Caddis 14-18

Nymph Rig Suggestions:

Rubber Legs 6-12; 14-16 Red Copper John; Purple Lightning Bugs 16; San Juan Worm: 6-8-10 Delektable Purple Hurless: 6-8-10 Mr Rubberlegs Hares Ear: 6-8 Mega Pheasant Tail: 6-8 Turds: 6-8-10 Copper Johnson Red: 16-18-20

Madison River: Lower

The Hoot Owl closure for the Lower Madison has been lifted as of 8/24. The water temps on the lower are down to a better range this weekend producing good dry fly and streamer fishing. Getting out early is still the best. People have been doing great with streamer fishing in the mornings on small baitfish patterns. Flashy copper, bronze or brown have been some hot colors for the smaller streamers. Huge streamers are moving fish but not necessarily catching them. Trout here are really keying in on certain patterns, so if you’re determined to streamer fish be ready to experiment with your patterns. PMD’s and BWO’s have been busy in the mornings producing some good dry action. There are still a lot of tiny midges and tricos out after breakfast. Hopper dropper rigs are working through mid day.

Dry Fly Suggestions:

PMDs’ 12-18; Admas Superfly 12-18; Elk Hair Caddis Tan 12-16 Para Sulfur: 12-18 Hackel Dun BWO 16-20 Pull Over Baetis: 16-20 BWO Tilt Wing: 12-16 Olive Parachute Adams: 12-16

Nymph Rig Suggestions:

Deaddrift Crayfish: 8 Clousers Crayfish: 8-10 Olive Zurddler: 6-8 Copper John Red: 10-12-14 San Juan Worms Pink, Orange, Brown, Tan, Red: 10 Eggs: 10
Missouri River:

The Missouri has had cooler temps and fishing has been good. Moss is still making fishing subsurface tough but doable. To avoid the moss fish up close to the dam. Hoppers, mayflies, and emergers have all been working along with streamers. The hopper fishing has been alright lately but not quite lights out. Fishing with small tailwater flies will almost always work up here, ray charles and other Missouri staples will work but since there is a good bit of moss fishing on top may be the way to go. Streamer fishing has been good with this cooler weather, sink tips and flashy kreelex’s are getting it done along with other large patterns. Trico fishing in the morning can be productive with good hopper fishing throughout the afternoon.

Dry Fly Suggestions:

Challenged PMD 16-18, Quigley Cripple 16-18, PMD’s 12-18; Hairwing Dun 12-16; Elk Hair Caddis 12-18; Hemmingway Caddis: 14-16, Spent Partridge Caddis: 14-16; PMD Comparadun 16-18, X-Caddis 14-16

Nymph Rig Suggestions:

Nymphs: Mighty Mo Soft Hackle Pink: 16-18 Micro Mayfly: 18-20 Military Mayfly: 18-20 RS2’s grey, black, olive, light cahill: 16-20 Juju PMD & BWO: 16-20 Red Head Stepchild: 16-20

Yellowstone River:

August is prime time hopper season so get out your foam and rubber legs patterns. Pink and purple have been hot colors. Flying ants and beetles are a good bet too. Getting out in the morning is a good way to beat the crowds and get the best dry fly fishing. Cloudy cool days have been ideal for streamer fishing and BWO’s have been appearing in spots. PMD’s, sporadic caddis, and Tricos are probably going to be the most prevalent buglife. Most reports of hopper fishing have been coming from the middle of Paradise Valley but lower sections have been producing as well.

Dry Fly Suggestions:

Chubby Chernobyl Pink, Red, Tan, Gold, Purple 8-14 Amy’s Ant Red, Green: 8-14 Yeagers 409 Pink, Purple, Black, Tan: 8-16 Hippie Stomper Purple, Red, Black: 10-16 Moorish Hopper Pink, Green, Yellow, Tan: 8-16 V dub Hopper: 10-14 Thunder Thighs Yellow and Pink: 8-14

Nymph Rig Suggestions:

Tungsten G6 Caddis: 14-16, Copper John red, yellow, lime, copper: 12-16, Serendipity, Brassie Red, Black, Purple, Biot Midge Pupa, Rubberlegs Olive, Turd, Black, Rusty Orange, Charcoal: 4-6-8 Delektable Brown Stone: 6-8-10 Mr Rubberlegs Goldenstone: 6-8-10

Butte Fishing:

Southwestern Montana fisherman are beginning to prepare for full run trout spawns. Preparing egg sac and scented egg bags ahead of time is good planning.

Fishing has been excellent despite warm smoky conditions. Fly fisherman are hitting the reservoirs and lakes and doing well.

Clark Canyon has shown excellent results with midges. Zebra Midget in siz18-20 are a good bet. The Ruby reservoir is fishing well to power worms and San Juan patterns. Georgetown lake has seen some recent caddis activity and the kokanee are biting the rat finkee tipped with maggots.

The big hole is fishing well min the Divide canyon area and restrictions have been removed.

Restrictions have also been removed from the Clark Fork river.