What a great time of year this is - and what a welcome change the cooler, cloudy, rainy weather is today.  I was on the Gallatin last evening doing some video work and got driven off by the rain - it’s cool and partly cloudy in Bozeman and the neighborhood today.  Looks like a “real Fall week” coming up!

Below the Lake / Above the Canyon – This stretch of the river is still fishing very slowly, if at all.  There are a few sporadic rumors that fishing is decent as far up as Nez Perce Ford, but you had better believe this is sight fishing.  If you have ever fished the flats for Bonefish, bring some of those tactics to this stretch of the Yellowstone.  You’ll be covering a lot of ground, looking for rising fish – no blind casting here, my friends.

Canyons of the Yellowstone – The Canyons are still harboring some good fishing.  Come prepared to do some hiking; to access the river you will be traveling through brush and up and down hills.  A three- or four-piece rod would be really useful here.  The Heptagenia mayflies are starting to come off and are joined by armies of midges, baetis are in the mix (amen to the clouds), and streamers are cooking here.  So stock your fly box, bring the hiking boots, and come well prepared for a great day on the river.

Near Gardiner and beyond– Issues with the Madison and great weather has been driving anglers to the river left and right.  BWOs are coming of en masse, and this weather is perfect for them.  The Yellowstone is still going through her typical fall transitions, and the fishing is stumping some anglers.  Up your chances by tying on a big Streamer and searching for fish in the big holes… they are in there!

Flows are still higher than average today (0600), reading 1,260 cfs, with the historic average 1,020 cfs.  These flows are measured on the Yellowstone Lake Outlet gage.

Today’s pic is of Pelican Creek. 

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Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  PMDs - parachute, sparkle dun, sprout, cripple, CDC Emerger, PMX - yellow, peacock, royal; Drakes - Paradrake, gray, green, olive, life cycle; Parachute Adams; Caddis – EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis, EC Caddis, Spent Caddis – tan and olive; Midge array; Heptagenia just in case;

Nymphs:  Bubbleback PMD; BH & FB PT; Copper John, green, red, chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback soft hackle, yellow

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same; your secret weapons

Terrestrials:  Hoppers, Ants, Beetles, Bees

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