The Gibbon River has improved again this past week - never mind the persistent low flows.

Flows remain quite low, today’s flow reading near Madison Junction was 71 cfs at 0600, with today’s average flow 93 cfs.  This flow represents another new record low for today (the previous record set in 2004 on this day at 90 cfs).

The ticket on the Gibbon now is to work the deeper runs and pools - you need to be ready to so some walking.  In these smaller pools we’re tempted to nymph or swing soft hackles through, versus a streamer just because of the size of the water.  Bigger pools (there are a few), particularly with undercut banks or overhead cover will hold bigger fish, this is more likely streamer territory. 

On the more favorable days there are still some BWOs coming off, not river wide.  The hard core dry fly fisherman will be happier on the Firehole…..

The lake run fish are moving up, and have even started collecting a bit beneath the falls - there are decent numbers river wide though.

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Flies to have in the box:

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Para-adams;

Nymphs:  Lightning Bugs, green, gold, silver; PT- BH, FB; Copper John - original, red; San Juan worms, red, brown, olive, black; Soft Hackles, various; Rubberlegs, black, brown

Streamers:  Wooly Buggers, olive, brown, black; Sparkle Buggers, olive, brown, black; PT Bugger; Girdle Bugs; Spruce variants

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