The Firehole has been looking better and better of late, and low and behold there’s even a little more water in the river today.

The Firehole’s flow rate today at 0500 near Madison junction was 332 cfs, with today’s mean 279 cfs.  Flows started up around midnight on the 4th (Thursday) and are still headed up by the gauge this morning.

Water temps are thankfully no longer on issue above or below the cascades.

Cloudy and cool days are still fueling the baetis feast on the Firehole - fish are steadily working this hatch, again on the right kind of day - though they’re increasingly picky about size.  These bugs are small, 20-24, and we’ve produced fish nymphing, with emergers, and dun patterns.  Fine tippets and clean presentations are needed.  See our post on the 4th about our amazing day swinging soft hackles if you haven’t viewed it already.

They are still fair numbers of a small tan (some are darker too) caddis and small midges coming off too, these make a reasonable target on the nicer days, and can make it a challenge to sort out what the fish are taking when everything’s on the water.

We’re taking terrestrials off the list this weekend - it’s been pretty nippy up there….

Finally - there are reports that a few browns are being fooled below the cascades, it doesn’t sound like they’re up in numbers but it sure might be fun to try and turn some with your favorite streamers down there (streamer / nymph set up?). 

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Flies to have in the box:

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Para-adams; Caddis - EHC, X Caddis, - tan, olive, black;  Midges - Suspender midgle, disco midge, Zelon midge, your favorites you can see; might even be a Mahogany around

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

Streamers:  Wooly buggers, brown, yellow, olive, black; Sparkle buggers, same colors; Girdle bug; Zonkers, assorted; JJs

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