Montana Hebgen & Quake Lakes: The lakes are fishing very well right now. We’re seeing more and more Callibaetis, and the subsurface action is as steady as it should be this time of year. Leeches, Chironomids, and Callibaetis nymphs are what we’re throwing for the most part.
Flies We’re Fishing: #16 Found Link Callibaetis, #16 Spinner Long Tailed Callibaetis, #16 Peacock Chubby Chernobyl, #18 Bucky’s Midge Cluster, #18 Black, Olive, OR Red Zebra Midge, #14 O/S Opal Buzzer, #14 Olive Nugget, #14 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Brush Hog, #14 Black/Red Ice Cream Cone, #8 Black Vegas Booby Leech, #8 Black OR Olive Simi-Seal Leech, #8 Hot Bead Thin Mint
Madison Flows: Hebgen Lake Inflow: 571 CFS Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1155 CFS Kirby Flows: 1350 CFS Cameron Flows: 1470 CFS Water Temp @ Kirby: High 66 F Low 57 F *Flows as of 12pm July 14th 2025*
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. MRO Guide Tom Forsberg Rowed his client into this beast of a Madison Brown ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Upper Madison: The Upper is fishing great. The big bugs have finished up for the most part, but the fish are already beginning to take an interest in hoppers and bigger attractors. Chubbies, Chili-Dogs, and other foam bugs have been hunting great fished over a dropper. The nymphing has moved from an anything goes program to a more technical, small bug game. Streamers will be a little more difficult this time of year but still do-able, especially now that there’s more water in the river.
Flies We’re Fishing: #16 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon, #16 Sunburst Perdigon, #18 S&M Dark Baetis, #18 Purple JJ Baetis, #16/#18 Black OR Red Krystal Dip, #14 Pilva’s Perdigon – Olive, #16 Purple Parachute, #14-#16 Brown X-Caddis, #14 Missing Link Caddis, #16 OR #14 Royal Chubby Chernobyl, #16 Peacock Chubby Chernobyl, #4 Olive Supernatural Peanut, #6 Olive MT Mouthwash, #6 Olive/White Barely Legal, #8 Hot Bead Leech – Olive, Black, Brown
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. MRO Guide Noah Norwood got Client Leslie into this fine YNP Cut last weekend ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
YNP
Firehole: The Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon – (below Norris Campground) have all been Hoot Owled, meaning you MUST be off of the water and done fishing by 2pm. Legal fishing hours are sunrise to 2pm on these rivers. Madison: Gibbon: Gallatin: The Gallatin is fishing pretty well throughout the whole river. Lots of bugs in the park section right now, caddis, yellow sallies, BWO’s and PMD’s. Attractors and small hoppers should rise some fish too!
NE Corner: The Yellowstone River is running at about 2500 which is near perfect for hunting noses with dry flies. We’ve been getting fish on big bugs, yellow sallies, PMD’s, and smaller attractors like Wulff cripples and ants. The Lamar, Soda, and Slough Creek are all fishing great with similar action on top. There has been some bear activity/carcasses above the Lamar canyon so bring bear spray if you’re up there and keep your head on a swivel!
YNP Flows Firehole: too hot Gibbon: too hot Madison: too hot Yellowstone Outlet: 2440 CFS Gallatin: 446 CFS Lamar: 1970 CFS Soda Butte: gage is gone! *************************************************************** Get out there!
When the moment of truth comes and every buck looks like a trophy, an ethical hunter knows the real challenge isn’t pulling the trigger—it’s choosing the one best shot. Here’s more from Montana Grant
This week, Downrigger Dale takes you on a two-stop hunt preview through Montana’s Regions 3 and 5 — where elk bugle, bighorns roam, and adventure is around every ridge….
Whether you’re casting a fly or just trying to eat in peace, it’s time to fight back—because fruit flies may be tiny, but their mess is anything but! Read more from Montana Grant here…
On the morning of June 14, 2025, Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel received a report that a cow moose had been shot in a confrontation with an angler on the North Tongue River in the Bighorn National Forest near Bear Lodge Resort. When game wardens responded, they found the moose deceased from her injuries.
