The Firehole has been fishing very well this past week as you’d expect with the more favorable weather.

The Firehole’s flow rate today at 0600 near Madison junction was 253 cfs, with today’s mean 272 cfs.  Flows have been stable all week, with a very slight uptick in the past 12 hours due to rain showers. 

The dry fly guys and gals are still working the 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 taken with a variety of approaches, including with nymphs, soft hackles, emergers, and typical dries.  Sunny days foster less active hatches but decent action with well presented nymphs and soft hackles.

The caddis weren’t quite as active this week, but there have been healthy hatches of midges in the 22 - 26 range - for you midge fans it’s an interesting challenge at times on the Firehole. 

A few more browns moving up out of the Madison, not in great numbers, but enough to keep things interesting.  Better numbers at the confluence that in the Firehole itself.

We’re on the Firehole ourselves today, and will provide any additional insights this evening. 

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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

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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