Please let us know if you would like to see your weekly fishing report included in this compilation by emailing your report to us before the end of the day on Tuesday of each week here along with your business website/email address.
Deb says, “We really don’t have anyone fishing right now; just hunters.”
No report this week.
BRO’s Tips of the Week:
As water temperatures drop, trout will favor holding lies that require them to expend less energy. Soft seams, drop offs, and pools offer great cover, access to food, and a break from the current. Target fish in these areas for a more productive day on the water.
7 Day Outlook:
Rain in the forecast this weekend for the Bitterroot. Saturday will be 50 degrees, but rainy. Sunday is going to be a bit chillier, but the rain should be done by the time you’re getting on the water. Snow and rain in the forecast for later next week.
Our Recommendations for the Best Techniques and Patterns:
BWO’s are still kicking around on the Bitterroot and we should start seeing some midges soon, but the dry fly fishing is slowing down for the year. Parachute BWOs, Christiansen’s Adult BWO and DL Cripples in #18-20 for the Blue Wings. Streamer fishing has been productive, but with colder water temps start to slow down your retrieve. Stick to smaller streamers with the low clear water in the Bitterroot right now. If you’re fishing articulated flies, go for the “mini” version. Otherwise, the usual fare has been good: Sparkle Minnows, Wooly Buggers, Kreelexs, and Jigged Sparkle Yummys. Nymphing is going to become more and more productive as water temperatures drop. Perdigons, Spanish Bullets, Green Machines, Lightning Bugs, and Pheasant Tails #14-18. Girdlebugs, TJs and San Juans in #10-12 are also a good bet.
Goings on at World Headquarters in Missoula:
Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs. WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR BRAND NEW LOCATION AT 275 N. RUSSELL STREET IN MISSOULA
Current Conditions:
The Ruby has been hit or miss for us in the early fall but things seemed to have stabilized and it is fishing well again. The water is low and the fish are concentrated in the deeper runs. The browns are moving and this is a fun fishery to strip streamers for medium sized trout. The baetis hatch can also bring some fish up on a cloudy day.
The Month Ahead:
Streamers and nymphs will be the main game once mid to late November arrives
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Ruby is a pretty decent winter fishery. Nymphing is the staple in the early winter but by February you can get a decent rise over the midge hatch.
TIPS OF THE WEEK –1. Midges will be out if the sun hits the water for an extended time, maybe some straggler bwo’s and mahoganies but those ships have mostly sailed
2. If a double nymph rig doesn’t work, try a single nymph or size down your nymphs drastically
3. The early morning and late afternoon streamer bite can be good7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Good fishing conditions for the next 7 days. Get out while you can!
BEST TECHNIQUES – Prospecting with dry flies and nymphing.
Good luck and don’t forget to stop in our Philipsburg shop Flint Creek Outdoors and our NEW JACKALOPE JOE’S espresso bar! We’re open 7:30-5 seven days a week. Be sure to stop in to talk to Josh, grab a coffee, some Orvis gear, and flies from the the best fly selection in the region.
FLY PATTERNS
NYMPHS – Pat’s Rubber Legs in black, brown, #6-#10; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #12-18; Pink San Juan Worm #8-10; Hot Bead San Juan Worm Red; Montana Prince tan #12-16, double bead stone black #4, yellow sally nymph #14-16, yellow frenchie #14-16; lightning bug #14-18; Perdigon red/black or olive #14-18 DRIES – Purple haze #18-20; Griffiths Gnat #18-20; Adams #18-20 STREAMERS – Sparkle Minnow #6 in Olive; Zonkers #6, 8 in Natural, Olive, or Yellow; Kreelex Minnow #6 in Copper/Gold, Gold/Silver, or Purple/Silver.
OUR TIPS OF THE WEEK:1. Slowly stripping balance leeches is your best bet. Glacially slow
2. Small baitfish patterns in olive or other natural colors will be productive until the ice is on
3. Small chironomids drifted under an indicator are a great way to fish this time of year7 DAY OUTLOOK:
The lake is fishing well, and will continue to until, well, the ice is back on. Give it a try. You will not regret it. There are places to find shelter during high wind events. Stop by for a visit and we can show you where to go.
Our Philipsburg location, Flint Creek Outdoors, is open 7 days a week, 7:30a-5p. Stop in and talk to Josh for up-to-date information.
BEST TECHNIQUES:
Stripping leeches and small baitfish patterns, floating chironomids under an indicator. Stop by the shop in Philipsburg for rigging ideas and the best Georgetown Lake flies.
FLY PATTERNS
Balance leeches, small baitfish patterns, chironomids
Current Conditions
The Park is closed to fishing for the season. Get out there next year!
Remember to pinch barbs and no lead in Yellowstone National Park.
Jim Mitchell’s Tip of the Week
The West Fork is now at winter levels. Floating is not recommended on any section. This is a good time to wade. Drys with droppers and nymphing in the am. Purple Haze, Adams, Pheasant tails, Perdigons size 16/14. May fly’s in the morning Hoppers in the afternoon. Steamers are working ok.
Techniques & Tips
Drys with droppers or two nymphs in the am. Single small mayflys
Current Conditions
Start later let it warm up.
Water Temperature: 52 degrees
1450 CFS @ Livingston – Things on the Yellowstone have been pretty hit-or-miss recently. Large, articulated streamers can turn some bigger fish, but it likely won’t produce huge numbers. That being said, if you drop off a small, flashy nymph, you can pick up an occasional trout, but be prepared to catch a ton of whitefish.
GO-TO FLIES:
Rubberlegs #6
Lightning Bug #14
Dungeon, Olive/Yellow #2
Sculpzilla, Olive/White #4
Zirdle, Natural #6
Flathead Lake – Reports of Lakers showing up on the east side of the lake. Throwing Spoons and Rapalas in the shallows has been very effective.
Flathead River – Water temps are dropping fast! Whitefish bite has picked up substantially. Look for deeper holes along the river. 1/8th and ¼ ounce jigheads with a small tube/plastic craw works wonders. Zimmer’s Rattle D’Zastor is another great option when targeting fish in faster water. 3 more weeks of the whitefish contest at Snappy’s. Pike are getting more active, Focus on bigger baits. Weeds are receding and the fish will start moving into hard structure. Look for bait fish.
Murray Lake – Rainbows have been very active with the temps on the drop. Little Cleo’s and Thomas Cyclones’ have been producing some very nice rainbows.
Whitefish Lake – Lake trout are very active! Jigging has been very productive with a small tube tipped with cut bait. Look for rocky points that have access to deeper drop offs.
Rogers Lake – Cutthroat and Grayling being caught regularly. Balanced leeches trolled on the edge of the weed lines has been the go-to method!
Foys Lake – Rainbow trout are getting active! Silver and gold spoons being trolled or casting into the shallower depths (5-15 foot of water)
Little Bitterroot – Rainbows are being caught. Trolling with planer boards can be very effective this time of year. Bigger fish have been pushing into the shallower water looking for that easy meal!! Rapalas remain to be king.
Ackley Lake Club Work Day – Wednesday, November 11th at 9am (rescheduled from November 10)
Bring gloves, chainsaw, shovels, tree trimming equipment and lunch.
BBQ will be available.
Scheduling changes will be on their FB page or at Nancy’s Country Market.
2970 CFS @ Holter – For the best success on the Missouri right now, think subsurface. There might be a smattering of BWOs hatching, but you’ll catch a lot more fish running double nymph rigs with small tailwater sowbugs or midges. Streamers have also been producing fairly well, both stripped and on the swing. It’s definitely swinging season.
GO-TO FLIES:
Film Critic, BWO #18
Zebra Midge, Black #18
Lightning Bug #16
Little Spanker #16
Kreelex, Silver/Gold #6
Happy November everyone. It looks like our streak of warm weather is going to continue for at least the foreseeable future. These warmer fall days may not be the classic fall weather, but it’s still pretty nice to enjoy Montana at its fullest without a full on winter blizzard. This warmer stretch has extended our fall fishing season beyond what we normally see, and things have been pretty good lately.
The Yellowstone River has been fishing about as it has over the past few weeks. The streamer bite has been reasonably solid, especially on cloudy days. On this brighter days fish a brighter fly, and keep changing colors, profiles and sizes until you find what they’re after. Nymphing has been productive as well, and if you’re after numbers of fish that’s the tactic to go for.
The dry fly fishing has been scattered at best. You might find some Baetis on the spring creeks and here and there on the Yellowstone, but there hasn’t been a consistent hatch for a while. Now that we’re into November, it’s time to put the dry fly rods away for a bit until winter midges hit in a few months.
The rest of the state is also shifting more into a late fall pattern. All of our local rivers have been at near record low flows for pretty much the entire year, and right now is no exception. This has concentrated fish making them easier to find but also more susceptible to fishing pressure. As the large crowds have thinned this has given fish a bit more breathing room and a chance to recover.
The Upper and Lower Madison are fishing well right now and can offer up some large fish in a classic Montana fall setting. The Gallatin has shifted more toward its winter pattern with the canyon fishing well, especially on smaller, flashy nymphs. The Missouri is about your best bet for dry fly action, and swinging streamers is always a good time in the late fall up there. The Boulder and Stillwater are both fishing well too.
The Yellowstone National Park fishing season closes today, November 7th. It’s been a good year down there, and we are already looking forward to the next! Fingers crossed for a healthier snowpack and better water conditions in 2022.
There are a lot of options this time of year for the adventurous angler. Be ready for any kind of weather, pack your bear spray and enjoy the solitude. Late fall fishing is a treat. Get out and enjoy the blue skies and solitude! Come down to the shop for the latest info and all the gear you need to stay warm and dry this fall.
Current Conditions:
The Stillwater River is low but trout are moving into the deeper slots and nymphing has been productive in the late morning. The afternoon can provide some good dry action with some cloud cover over the baetis hatch. Stripping streamers for some Yellowstone run browns on the lower river can often produce a pleasant surprise.
The Month Ahead:
Fishing will start to taper off as November progresses and as water temps continue to drop on the river.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Stillwater is a relatively cold river and isn’t as productive as some other fisheries in the region in the winter months.
