You know things are looking more like fall when everyone starts thinking and talking about the Firehole again.  This is truly one of my favorite waters in the fall season, and while the calendar might say it’s a bit early, the weather outside (and for the week) looks like the season’s changing. 

Today’s pic is an old but interesting aerial view of the confluence via the NPS.

Flows today near the confluence (0700) are 280 cfs, with today’s historical average 267 cfs. Water temps have been improving, though when the sun is out temps are still pushing it on the lower most river near the gage. 

If you’re looking for hatches today, afternoon / evening Caddis will probably be the go to; we know a couple of guys from West who have been made quite happy by Caddis near sunset this past week.  There are some Damsels around too; beetles, bees and ants are still in play, particularly on the sunnier afternoons. 

Any day now (particularly with weather as has been forecast this week) we’re going to see some baetis, midges should pick up, and mahoganies shouldn’t be far behind. 

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Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams; Caddis – EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis, EC Caddis, Spent Caddis – tan, olive, black; Midges - Suspender midge, disco midge, Zelon midge, your favorites you can see; Damsel dry

Nymphs: San Juan Worm, red, brown, tan; PT; BHPT; BH Hares Ear, Copper John, olive; BH Prince; Lightning bugs, gold, silver, green/olive; Soft hackles - our best has been an 18 or 20 FB PT SH, but your other typical baetis SHs will play here

Terrestrials:  Beetles, Bees, Ants, Hoppers

Streamers / Other:  Woolly Buggers, olive, brown, black

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Tags: River: Firehole