The Gibbon is most definitely one of the Yellowstone area rivers to put on your fishing list this time of year.  Despite the blast of cold winter weather the region experienced this past weekend, some hardy anglers made it out onto the river during the snow storm and were quite pleased at what they were able to bring up.  The fish are there, and are waiting for something delicious to eat.

The fall runs ups have started to make their way into the river, and the river is fishing all the way up to the Falls for these Browns and Rainbows.  The fish tend to be rather scattered, and while there are not huge pods to drift Nymphs at, some fishermen are having luck with smaller Nymphs in the pocket water and pools below Gibbon Falls.  Probably the best strategy for these fall runs, however, is to cover a lot of water with a Streamer.  Woolly Buggers work like a charm and really catch the eyes of the larger fish.

Further upriver, baetis hatches are coming off en masse and are providing some great dry fly fishing.  Look for the baetis between 11 AM and about 4 PM – if you can catch the hatch you’re in for a few hours of delight on the river.  The cold snap has killed the bulk of the terrestrials (RIP little buddies) but the fish will still be looking for them for a little while.  A smallish Hopper-dropper combo is a god bet for the lower meadows of the Gibbon.

Flows today (0400) are 98 cfs, with today’s average 93 cfs, taken at the gage at Madison Junction in the Park. 

Today’s pic is from the long gone summer days….

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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; Midges - Suspender midge, disco midge, Zelon midge, your favorites you can see;

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 (off the list after today)

Streamers / Other:  Woolly Buggers, olive, brown, black; Sparkle buggers, same; your favorites

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