The weather has cooled off but the fishing is HOT!
Montana
Hebgen: Fishing is good on the lake currently, but the weather at the moment may make things tricky. Anglers are catching fish all over the lake, focus your efforts on glassier, less windy areas. Callibaetis season is here, look out for gulpers cruising around shallow. Hanging/stripping leeches and nymphs has also been productive (more so now with the cold front that moved in).
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, #16 Found Link Callibaetis, #16 Purple Missing Link
Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 1161 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1030 cfs
Kirby Flows: 1150 cfs
** Flows as of 8 am August 6th, 2023 **
Upper Madison: Nymphing a two fly set up will still (as always) be your most productive method right now, think smaller if you’re nymphing (#16 and smaller). Fish are actively feeding on PMD’s, BWO’s, Epeorus mayflies, and small chubbies. Attractors are fishing well additionally. Terrestrials like hoppers, beetles, and ants are also beginning to fish well.
Flies: #16-18 Redneck, #16-18 Guide Dip, #16 PMD Split Case #16-18 PMD Loop-Wing, #14 Olive Hot Spot, #18 BWO Comparadun, #16 Purple Parachute, #16 Pink or Tan Chili-Dog, #14 Butch Sally, #16 Klinkhammer PMD, #6 Black Hot Bead Leech, #4 Olive/White Barely Legal
YNP
The Yellowstone river and its tributaries are open and fishing great!
Flows:
Madison near West Yellowstone: 539 cfs
Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake : 2260 cfs
Gibbon: 278 cfs
Gallatin near Big Sky: 645 cfs
** Flows as of 8 am August 6th 2023 **
Gallatin: The Gallatin is low, clear, and cold, it will be stained a bit following the recent rains. Fish are hesitant to look up, but are rising in the evenings on BWO’s and Epeorus. Hopper droppers have been fishing well Ants are beginning to fish very well with other terrestrials soon to follow.
Flies: #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Green Lightning Bug, #16-18 Black Krystal Dip, #18 ICU Midge, #18 Split Case PMD, #18 Parachute Adams, #18 Tilt Wing BWO, #16 Rocky Mtn Mint PMD, #18 Baetis Cripple, #14 Royal Stimulator, #16 Arrick’s Ant
Madison/Firehole/Gibbon: The Firehole is too warm to ethically fish. The Madison in the park has been slow. If you do choose to fish the Madison, try to get off the water by 11am/12pm. The Gibbon is still cool and fishing well. Try dries in the mornings and soft hackles during the mid-day lull.
Flies: #8-10 Partridge and Orange, #8-10 Partridge and Pheasant Tail, #14 Prince Nymph, #16-18 Frenchie, #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
Yellowstone/NE Corner: The Yellowstone is low and clear enough to begin fishing well. Hunt around for rising cutties when you see bugs flying. The Lamar is fishing great as well. Look for fish rising on Sallies, PMD’s and Drakes. Pink, purple, and red chubbies, as well as other terrestrials like will also fish well.
Flies: #18-20 Parachute BWO, #18-20 Sprout Baetis, #16 Rocky Mtn Mint PMD, #16 Butch Sally, #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #14 pink/purp/red Chubby Chernobyl, #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.
