GUIDE'S CHOICE: Yellowstone

The cooler weather has put the brakes on the hopper fishing for now. Baetis hatches have been making for good dry fly action when skies are overcast and the wind isn't too bad. Terrestrial fishing could pick up if it gets warm enough again, and apart from the hoppers other terrestrials like ants, beetles, and wasps(black) can also work well. A stonefly nymph with a baetis dropper rig will produce a steady flow of plenty of whitefish and hopefully some trout.

Gallatin

CFS: 590 CFS

Fishing is changing with the cool, fall weather we have seen this week. Baetis and midge hatches are getting fish to rise when the weather is overcast. Attractor fishing should pick up if the weather warms up. Nymphing is still going to be your best most of the time. Try a stonefly with a baetis nymph dropper rig.

Upper Madison

CFS: 982 at Kirby Ranch

Baetis fishing has been good this week. Small flies and good presentation are key when fishing the baetis hatch here. Hoppers and ants might start working again if the weather warms up enough. Nymphing with sculpins or stonefly nymphs trailed by small baetis nymph droppers is the most effective way to catch fish when the dries aren't working.

Lower Madison

CFS: 3,130 CFS

Ennis dam was damaged by a school bus sized boulder falling from the cliffs above the dam. Flows have raised dramatically, and PPL is dropping the lake level to work on the dam. The fish should re-adjust to the higher flows and fishing should be fine when they do. Nymphing should get good with the usual Lower Madison stuff like Crayfish, San Juans and baetis nymphs. Baetis dries can make for great fall fishing on cloudy days. Streamer fishing should also be picking up once the Brown Trout get ready for the spawn.

Yellowstone

CFS: 2,620 Yellowstone at Livingston

See Guides Choice

Upper Missouri

CFS: 4,610 at Wolf Creek

The cloudy, cool weather this week has made for some good dry fly action with baetis hatching. Small tailwater nymphs, scuds, and worms are most reliable and maybe some terrestrial fishing when it warms up. Streamer fishing is good when skies are overcast.

Bighorn

CFS: 2,530 St. Xavier

The Big Horn has been fishing well. Black caddis are still out and you can probably catch a fish on a hopper if you really want to but the nymphing has been best. Weeds have been better than in some years all though the river up high has plenty. Normal little tailwater junk has been working like worms, scuds and zebra midges.

Spring Creeks

CFS:

PMD hatches are catching fish during the morning. You can always nymph with PMD's, midge larva, scuds, mini worms and eggs. Leeches, buggers and sculpins have also been catching fish. Reservations can be tough to get at this time of year with our options limited so call them as early as you can.

Yellowstone National Park

The area to fish in the Park right now is the North East corner. Slough Creek still has some drakes and the terrestrial fishing has been good as well. The terrestrial fishing on both the Lamar and Soda Butte are picking up but afternoon storms have dirtied both up at times. Big spikes in Soda and the Lamar's flows usually mean mud. The Firehole has been cooler than in recent weeks but it's probably a week or two out for the fish's comfort. Temps are still getting into the 70's. The Madison in the Park should be better. Terrestrials and morning spinner falls should get fish up and we've already heard reports of the occaisional lake run fish.

The Dillon Area

CFS:

The Beaverhead has been having a great water year. PMD's, caddis and yellow Sallies have been hatching, and dry fly fishing has been good at times. Most fish are being taken on small nymphs like Pheasant Tails and PMD nymph patterns are working really well. Worms, scuds, and cranefly larva have been producing, along with typical tailwater beadheads. The Big Hole is seeing good hatches of moths and is the better bet for surface fishing. Fish may take a hopper as well. Attractor dries and nymphing work better during cooler days where moths and other terrestrials are not as active.

The Missoula Area

CFS:

The Blackfoot has been good with attractor dries and rubberleg nymphs with beadhead droppers. Moths and streamers are also catching fish. The Bitterroot has strong trico hatches during the morning with pmd's and terrestrials also working. Nymphing is good mayfly patterns. The Clark Fork will fish with pmd's, small attractors, and evening caddis. During the mid-day try nymphs and terrestrials. Rock Creek is fishing well with nymphs and small attractors and still has some moths as well. PMD hatches in the morning can make for good dry fly action, but have a few patterns as these fish can get picky. Fish will sometimes eat comparaduns and cripples when they get picky.

The Henry's Fork

CFS:

The Box Canyon stretch is fishing well with brown or black stonefly nymphs. Little caddis or mayfly nymphs trailed behind the larger stonefly are good choice right now. The Ranch has seen some good spinner fishing in the mornings with PMD's later in the morning if the wind doesn't kick up. Small caddis are present inthe evenings, especially if the wind dies down. The river below Ashton has been getting a little too warm so fish it early in the a.m. if you're going to fish it.

Area Lakes and Reservoirs

CFS:

Area lakes are still in their summer pattern. Gulpers are going on Hebgen, Ennis, Wade, etc. Damsel flies are probably about over on most but still make a decent searching fly. Remember that with the warmer weather some lakes will see more recreational traffic (damn water skiers) on the weekends. Also, with the warmer weather most stillwaters will fish better in the morning. Recent cooler weather should extend the bite and maybe even make the fish a little happier. Stillwater junkies are enjoying some of the best lake fishing of the year.