The 2023 dry fly bite has finally arrived. Flows are stable, rivers are clearing up, bugs are hatching. Game on!

Montana
Hebgen: Fishing on the lake has been getting better every day. Anglers are catching fish in both the Madison and Grayling arms. Nymphing under an indicator is your best bet but stripping or hanging a leech can also draw an eat. Look for gulpers cruising the flats on calm days as well.

Flies: #8 Black or Olive Simi Seal Leech, #6 Flash-a-Bugger, #6 Olive or Black Hot Bead Leech, #8 Thin Mint, #18 BBQ Baetis, #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #12 O.S. Buzzer, #20 Low Water Baetis, #16 Purple Missing Link

Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 1158 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1158 cfs
Kirby Flows: 1530 cfs

** Flows as of 8 am July 2, 2023 **

Upper Madison: Fishing remains pretty good out on the Madison. Nymphing a two fly set up will be your most productive method right now. But, keep an eye out for rising fish that may be eating caddis or PMD’s. Salmon flies are here, so larger attractor dries may also entice a strike. Don’t be afraid to strip streamers on bad weather days.

Flies: #16-18 Redneck, #16-18 Guide Dip, #10-12 Sili Legs, #16-18 BWO Loop-Wing, #14 Olive Hot Spot, #16 Pink or Tan Chili-Dog, #6 Olive Slump-Buster, #4 Olive/White Barely Legal

YNP

The Yellowstone river and its tributaries open July 1st 

Flows:
Madison near West Yellowstone: 616 cfs
Firehole: 375 cfs
Gibbon: 192 cfs
Gallatin near Big Sky: 1370 cfs

** Flows as of 8 am July 2nd 2023 **

Gallatin: No need to get too early of a start if you want to fish the Gallatin. Take your time and let things warm up a little. The Taylor fork up to the park section is looking much better than the rest of the river. look out for fish rising on PMD’s and BWO’s. Nymphing/swinging soft hackles is your best bet.

Flies: #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Green Lightning Bug, #16-18 Black Krystal Dip, #18 ICU Midge, #18 Split Case PMD, #14 Partridge and Peacock, #16 Soft Hackle Hares Ear, #18 Parachute Adams, #18 Tilt Wing BWO, #18 Baetis Cripple

Madison/Firehole/Gibbon: All three rivers on the western side of the park are fishing good. Nymphing remains king, but dries and soft hackles are also fishing well. Look for fish rising on PMD’s, Caddis, and the occasional Yellow Sally or Golden Stone.

Flies: #8-10 Partridge and Orange, #8-10 Partridge and Pheasant Tail, #10-12 Sili Legs, #14 Prince Nymph, #16-18 Frenchie, #16 Olive Spanish Bullet, #14 Diving Caddis, #18-20 Parachute BWO, #18-20 Griffith’s Gnat, #16 Rocky Mtn Mint PMD, #16 Royal Stimulator, #14 Larimer’s Yellow Sally

NE Corner: The Yellowstone River and its tributaries open July 1st 2023. Look for fish rising on Sallies, PMD’s and BWO’s. Don’t be too shy to throw a streamer during the higher water post runoff this time of year.

Flies: #18-20 Parachute BWO, #18-20 Sprout Baetis, #16 Rocky Mtn Mint PMD, #16 Butch Sally, #6 Black Hot Bead Leech, #6 Olive Slump-Buster, #6 Olive/Black Crystal Bugger

We are still booking float, & walk/wade trips for the 2023 season. Give us a call if you have any questions or are looking to book a guided trip. 

Photo caption: The newest MRO Guide, Zach Menegat netting his first client a great Upper Madison Brown! | madisonriveroutfitters.com