The Gibbon River has been a study in contrasts this past week. 

The water temp in the lower river near Madison Junction hit 73.4 F a week ago today, and nearly that on Wednesday the 15th, while this morning the water temp. in the same location is 59! 

As we posted a few days ago, we had a very nice outing on the upper Gibbon on Saturday, the water temps were well in the safe zone (it was raining /cloudy).  We’re continuing to suggest that you not fish at all below the falls (even though as of this morning it’s open from 5 am to 2 pm)

At this point the meadows above and below Norris are fishing pretty well with attractor dries with a flashy dropper and terrestrial patters.  Try the attractors in the mornings and hopper/dropper rigs during the afternoons and early evenings.  Smaller hoppers are performing better currently.

Summer hatches are for the most part finished on the Gibbon now, but you might find some sporadic caddis in the evenings.  There might be an early Baetis out on the cooler, cloundy days.

Fall isn’t that far away, and things will be better on the GIbbon.  We are due a cooler trend weather wise this week - lows in the Park will be dancing into the mid to maybe even low 30s for a few days!

We did hear a rumor yesterday that all restrictions (except the Firehole) are to lifted on the 22nd (tomorrow);  as of time of our writing this morning this has not been confirmed.  Follow along with us for more information.

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Flies to have in the box:

Dries:  Caddis - Goddard, Slow Water, EHC, Hot Butt Caddis (green peacock), X Caddis; Wulffs - Royal, blonde; PMDs are probably finished, but have a few in the box;  Baetis - it’s probably a bit early but it won’t be long!

Nymphs:  Lightning Bugs, green, gold, silver; PT- BH, FB; Copper John - original, red; San Juan worms, red, brown, olive, black; Soft Hackles, various; Rubberlegs, black, brown

Terrestrials: Hoppers - Grand, Parachute, Dave’s; Beetles - Fire, Foam, HiVis; Ants - Chernobyl, CDC Flying, Epoxy (brown, black, cinnamon)

Streamers:  Wooly Buggers, olive, brown, black

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