Despite the recent adventures the region has had concerning a definite blast of winter weather, the Gallatin continues to fish very well.  The cold, snowy weather has most anglers off the water.  This is the time to get out there after fish.  Gather your long johns, parka, gloves, and camp stove and head over to the Gallatin.  The fish are there and they are hungry.

Baetis are still coming off en masse in the cold weather, and the trout really go after these little guys.  Most baetis activity occurs between 11 AM and 4 PM – so don’t feel like you have to get up at the break of dawn to fish the Gallatin.  You’ll be better off if you get a good breakfast in town and then mosey out to the river.  Though the Terrestrials are gone due to the cold temperatures, the fish will still be looking for them for a little while.  Try a small Hopper with a bead head dropper.  Trudes and Stimulators with a small bead head 8-12 inches behind are also bringing in fish.  There may be some lingering Caddis when things warm back up a bit – don’t count on it. 

The Gallatin in the Park is slowing slightly, and most anglers are having better luck in the below Big Sky (down to about mile marker 54) and the lower meadows just outside the Park.  Again, don’t try to fish in the morning – the cold temps are keeping fish activity to a minimum until the afternoon.  The Gallatin is most definitely worth your fishing time right now – so bundle up and get out there!

The pic today is my hint for a nice run - it’s an easy one!

Flows on the Gallatin today (0600) are 440 cfs, with today’s average 431 cfs, taken at the gage near Gallatin Gateway.

If you’re new to the site, check out our How to Best Use this Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams; l;  Midges and small midge emergers;  Caddis – EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis, EC Caddis, Spent Caddis – tan and olive; Attractors - your best

Nymphs:  BH & FB PT; Copper John, green, red, chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback soft hackle, yellow; HE assortment

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same - note overall they should be on the smaller side

Terrestrials:  Hoppers (smaller), ants, beetles, bees (this is the last week)

Technorati Tags: Gallatin river fishing

Don’t let a little snow put you off fishing the Park these remaining days – the Firehole really comes into its own at this time of year.  We wholeheartedly agree with those predicting that this new-fallen October mantle of snow won’t significantly impact access or fishing on the Firehole, and most of the snow will likely be gone by midweek. 

All that water heated by the trademark geothermal features of this river really keep things rolling when the weather begins to chill other rivers; even guys and gals driven off other waters (like the NE corner) shouldn’t crowd the Firehole too badly.  

The dry fly maniacs will still be after the midges and BWOs; swinging soft hackles (BH or GH PTs) is a great play when the hatches are sputtering or not evident.  Still might see a Caddis (White Miller) later in the day, but they will be waning from here on out. 

Our resident Firehole maniac nymphs the ledges and weed bed edges carefully between hatches too, and will be throwing streamers tomorrow below the falls for runners making their way up.

Finally, terrestrials are probably done for – as you know minor freezes won’t kill hoppers and their kin – snow will though, as will the harder, colder nights.  For what it’s worth, West Yellowstone was forecast to have dropped to 6 last night – wonder how cold it really got…..

Flows today near the confluence (0600) are 283 cfs, with today’s historical average 273 cfs; flow rates will likely jump a bit as snow melt enters the river over the next few days.  Water temps are 51 F this morning, and have been as low as 48 F during the past few days - obviously still quite fishable. 

Today’s pic is from last week pre-storm - Jess is looking over the Baetis hatch…..

If you’ve not visited our site before, visit our How to Best Use Our Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams; Caddis – EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis, EC Caddis, Spent Caddis – tan, olive, black; 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

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

Technorati Tags: Firehole river

“Why do people go fishing?  Some say they fish to get fish.  This is obviously false.” – John Randolph

This is a picture of a John Randolph courtesy of the Friends of the Upper Delaware River site; we’re assuming he’s the provider of the quote.  Regardless of the quote, it’s a nice fish John. 

Technorati Tags: Yellowstone fly fishing quote

The Yellowstone is seeing her first taste of real winter weather.  A good snow blanket has been laid down in the Park, and the cold temperatures have in all likelihood killed the terrestrial population.  We are officially into fall fishing now.  Anglers in the Park are enjoying less trafficked waters, beautiful scenery, and big fish.  Get your Yellowstone fishing fix in soon before the Park entrances close… all too soon!

Below the Lake / Above the Canyon – The Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake is still fishing for anglers who are willing to spend some time and effort slowly, quietly walking along the banks searching for fish.  This water is most definitely for sight-fishing only.  Anglers should plan to spend a fair amount of time moving along the river looking for pods of rising fish (usually Cutthroats taking Mayflies.)  The cold, dark weather has brought out more baetis as well.  Plan to fish a 5-20 foot reach from the bank; this is where most of the hatches will be coming off, and, hence, where the fish should be.

Canyons of the Yellowstone – Fishing in the Canyons is still decent if you can get there.  Now that the Park has some decent snow laid down (yes, it very likely should melt but it could take a few days) hiking into the Canyons has just become much more interesting.  If you feel like digging out the snowshoes today and need some good exercise, head to the Canyons.  Fishing pressure should be minimal, and the fish may still be looking up for terrestrials for a little while (try a small Hopper – bead head dropper combo.)

Near Gardiner and beyond – Outside of the Park, the river is fishing well all the way to Big Timber.  Come prepared to drag Streamers through some deep eddies and holes.  The fall / winter weather has made the fall run Browns rather aggressive as they take Streamers, so get ready for some fun!  The winter weather has also really brought on the baetis – look for them in the early to mid afternoon.  The fish are big, the action is good, and the scenery is beautiful – what more could an angler ask for?

Flows are still higher than average today (0600), reading 881 cfs, with the historic average 780 cfs.  These flows are measured on the Yellowstone Lake Outlet gage.

If you’re new to the site, check out our How to Best Use this Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams; Midges and small midge emergers;  maybe a Trico too

Nymphs:  BH & FB PT; Copper John, green, red, chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback soft hackle, yellow; HE assortment

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same; check the shops for the latest secret weapon

Terrestrials:  Hoppers (smaller), ants, beetles, bees (probably the last week)

Technorati Tags: Yellowstone river

We’ve been hunting for a snow report covering the Cascade Corner, and haven’t been able to get a good feeling for how much snow has fallen over the weekend thus far. 

This is typically around the time that the Bechler and Fall offer some of the best mid/late fall dry fly fishing for the hardy souls willing to expend the time and effort to get in there.  The menu typically offers Baetis, Fall Caddis, Tricos, Mahoganies, and even a Gray Drake; during warmer fall season might even see some terrestrials during the second week of October. 

The weather over the past three days has likely made the trip into the Park in the Cascade corner a bit more of an undertaking (if it’s possible at all), and it’s a safe bet that terrestrials are done for. 

We’re going to keep working on a report today and see if we can dig up any additional information – otherwise this is most likely the final Cascade Corner report for the 2008 season. 

If you’re new to the site, check our How to Best Use This Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Para-Adams; Drakes - Paradrake, gray, life cycle; Parachute Adams; be ready with mahoganies, Tricos, and Callibaetis

Nymphs:  BH FBPT; SF PT; Copper John;  Caddis - Mangy, Pulsating/Electric, Super Pupas; Prince / Mega Prince / BH Prince; Lightning bugs, gold, silver;

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same

Technorati Tags: Bechler and Fall river fishing

“I now believe that fishing is far more important than the fish.” - Arnold Gingrich

Technorati Tags: Yellowstone fly fishing quote

The change in weather that started in the region on Friday has affected the Henry’s Fork area also – highs are due to be in the low to mid 30’s through the weekend, and the area won’t see sun until Tuesday by the forecast.  From the Island Park webcam this morning there hasn’t been a lot of snow down there as of yet, but it is forecast to snow today and tomorrow. 

Today’s pic is from earlier in the week when Jake and I were down working on a video project; we were set up below the Box in great morning light.  Saw a lot of bear evidence on our side of the river that morning, and a big black sow on the other side. 

This morning at Island Park (0730) flows were 225 cfs with today’s average 448 cfs; flows were dropped on 7th, 8th, and 9th this week.

The Box Canyon – this weekend in the box it should be streamer time, though nymphing should be an option too.  Access will be tricky in some places, and when the sun is back out might see a baetis around. 

Last Chance to Harriman – dropping flows and the unsettled weather will reshuffle the deck here a bit; should see baetis and some mahoganies again.  Terrestrials should be finished at this point, and Tricos are doubtful. 

Riverside CG to Ashton – the weather transition should push streamers and nymphs to the top of the list; might see some baetis midday. 

Ashton and Points Downstream – a friend argues that terrestrials last much longer down here, and notes they often make a sunny October afternoon quite interesting.  Streamers this weekend, with baetis and mahoganies. 

If you’re new to our site, please visit our How to Best Use This Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  Mahoganies; Tricos; Baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams;

Nymphs:  Prince, BH Prince, Montana Prince, PT, BHPT, Copper John (red and copper), Lightning Bugs, various, Green Drake nymph, CDC Bubble back Caddis Pupa

Terrestrials:  Hoppers, ants, beetles, bees (last week)

Streamers: Woolly buggers, assorted colors; Sculpins - Coneheads, Sheilas; Zonkers, olive; Slump Busters, olive; Double Bunnies, white; Leeches, BH peacock; Clousers – chartreuse, light brite

Technorati Tags: henry’s fork fishing

Fishing on the Upper Snake continues to be excellent, as it has all season.  Once the region is quit of the current cold, snowy weather, temperatures should moderate (at least for a few days) and anglers should be quite comfortable on the water. 

The river is on her way down to winter flows (450 cfs.)  As the water drops anglers have a much easier time accessing certain runs, banks, and good spots that have not seen much action over the summer.

Small hairwing patterns are a popular way to go for anglers as the temperatures drop and we head into winter patterns.  Try the old standby, a Parachute Adams, and see what happens.  Royal Humpies, Trudes, and H&L Variants are all good flies to try.  Terrestrials were still doing quite well on the Snake before the winter weather.  Though they will be gone, the fish should be attuned to them for a little while longer.  Try a small Hopper with a bead head dropper and your chances are high for a decent fish.   Baetis should still be coming off throughout the cold weather.

Flows today (0600) are 441 cfs, with today’s average 336 cfs, measured on the gage at Flagg Ranch.

If you’re new to the site, check out our How to Best Use this Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparaduns, Para-adams; Mahoganies;   your attractor package; Tricos; Caddis life cycle; keep the PMD box just in case

Nymphs:  Lightning bug, green and gold; Hares Ear, include BH;  Copper John, various colors; FB PT; SH PT; San Juan worms, red, brown, olive

Terrestrials: Hoppers - Grand, tan, yellow; Dave’s; Para Hopper; Beetles - Fire, Foam, HiVis, Krystal Leg; Ants - Wilcox Glo Ant, CDC winged, epoxy, brown /cinnamon /black

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers- small to mid sized, assorted colors; JJ special; Zonkers - assorted; Girdle bugs

Technorati Tags: Upper Snake river fishing

“Lots of people committed crimes during the year who would not have done so if they had been fishing.  The increase of crime is among those deprived of the regenerations that impregnate the mind and character of the fisherman.” - Herbert Hoover

Technorati Tags: Yellowstone fly fishing quote

We’ve had an amazing number of emails today about the waters in the NE corner - the Lamar, Slough and Soda Butte. 

Folks are worried / frustruated / maybe even exhibting a mild panic that the NE corner waters are done for the season.  It probably depends as much on cold as anything - it is going to get cold in the NE corner this weekend (it’s 27 in Cooke City right now at 2:25 on Friday), and the more shallow Slough and Soda Butte will chill impressively.  The Lamar is probably a bit more “cold tolerant”.  Of course it really depends on how the weather progresses through the weekend and into next week. 

We agree with the guys at Park’s that there probably will be better fishing on the West side from here on out (save for maybe the lower Gardiner), and it won’t be long before the Lewis Channel gets interesting again. 

There’s also a plethora of great water in Montana right now…..

Technorati Tags: yellowstone weather