The Firehole has been fishing very well this past week; we were back on it ourselves a couple of days ago.  Like most years - the Firehole just keeps getting better and better as the fall progresses.

The Firehole’s flow rate today at 0600 near Madison junction was 250 cfs, with today’s mean 272 cfs.  Flows have been gradually settling all week.

Though we didn’t see as many this past week, cloudy and cool days are still fueling the baetis feast on the Firehole - fish are steadily working this hatch, and they’re increasingly picky about size. These bugs are small, 20-22, and fish are being fooled with a variety of approaches, including with nymphs, soft hackles, emergers, and typical dries.  You’ll still see plenty of bugs later in the day even if it sunny.

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.

Finally - there are more browns moving into the lower river.  Seems like the numbers aren’t what they typically are this time of year - maybe that’s just us or the skinny water may have something to do with it.  A fair number have been fishing the confluence this week with success.

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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 hackles - 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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