Recent fishing report for Montana 6/29

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[size 2]These reports are for specific areas of Montana. Please scroll down to the area that interests you and find your report for that section. There is some flyfishing information included for most of the areas as well. [/size]
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Bitterroot River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Bitterroot+River"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Bitterroot River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141176468612&begmeas=0&endmeas=84.2779998779297"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
West Fork Bitterroot Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141267459398&begmeas=0&endmeas=42.326000213623"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

REPORTS: The water conditions remain good on the 'root today with the upper river near Darby dropping 10 cfs from this time yesterday. The lower river is up about 200 cfs which is making the upper and mid rivers more attractive. Expect to have lots of green drakes and PMDs coming off in the clouds today. Bring some caddis patterns, too, in sizes 12 to 16. You'll probably have good dryfly action from the time you put on in the morning, but you should start with a smaller p-tail dropper underneath whichever dry you decide to fish. Yesterday the river above Stevensville fished very well with smaller stimulators (like a 12 or 14) with size 16 nymph droppers. Expect more of the same today. Look for a bit more wind this afternoon when the thunder storms are supposed to move in.

HATCHES: Midges, caddis, yellow sallies, giant goldens, few salmonflies, PMDs, green drakes.

FLIES: Golden stones of several varities such as Rogue, parachute madam Xs, or bulletheads. Yesterday a golden Schroeder's hopper worked VERY well. Extended body drakes in a 10 or 12, parachute adams in both larger sizes for the drakes. There will be lots of PMDs now, so have appropriately sized comparaduns, thorax ties, button emergers, etc... Have some Goddard and elk hair caddis and some salmonflies if you go higer. Keep some smaller green and red bodied nymphs such as brassies if the fish won't play on top.

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Blackfoot River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Blackfoot+River"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Blackfoot River Montana FWP Online Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1138907468712&begmeas=0&endmeas=127.319000244141"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
North Fork Blackfoot River Montana FWP Online Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1131290469848&begmeas=0&endmeas=38.4850006103516"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

REPORTS: The Blackfoot's up another 20 cfs in the past 24 hours bringing the total 2 day increase to about 100 cfs. The push of water that started the day before yesterday afternoon has brought some color to the river, but just about enough to improve the streamer fishing, really. Larger dries will continue producing some nice fish as the water gains clarity throughout the day today. There's going to be some wind today, particularly in the afternoon, so chucking junk might be the best plan for lots of reasons. If the clouds remain throughout the day, look for the fish to key on the green drakes and PMDs. Today's flow near Bonner is 2150 cfs.

HATCHES: Salmonflies, caddis, green drakes, golden stones, PMDs.

FLIES: Bigger salmonflies and goldens, button emerger and cripple green drakes, #12 or 14 royal Wulffs, deep and slow tandem nymph rigs, brown, olive or black streamers in the clouds, brighter colors like peach and yellow in the sun. Big fuzzy junk that you can strip across the surface for fluttering caddis.

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Clark Fork River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Clark+Fork&format=pre"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Clark Fork River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1162072481455&begmeas=9.43000030517578&endmeas=336.802001953125"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

[b][b]REPORTS: The fishing remains very good on The Clark Fork these days, but the fish have gotten quite a bit more sun sensitive. The PMD and drake hatches that've been going on here recently will be at their best in the cloudy, humid weather. Even in the clouds, though, the fatties have been more than willing to eat big dries in general. A Rogue golden stone with a p-tail dropper has been a good option. If you get on specific "pods" of fish, however, they can be much more selective which is why you'll need your box of exacting PMDs, drakes and soft hackles. Look for a bit more wind on the river today along with more clouds. All in all, a good trade.

HATCHES: Caddis, green drakes, giant golden stones, salmonflies, PMDs.

FLIES: Royal stimis, Rogue goldens, parachute madam x, Ausable Wulffs, comparadun and thorax PMDs, parachute Adams in 12s and 14s. Goddard caddis (especially in the late evening), flashback p-tails.
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Rock Creek - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Rock+Creek"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Rock Creek Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1154428475830&begmeas=0&endmeas=10.9219999313354"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

REPORTS: The fishing continues to be very steady throughout the day. The fish are definitely on smaller flies these days and will pretty much swim right past your salmonflies to eat green drakes, smaller hoppers and caddis. This will be especially true today in the clouds and possible rain. With the creek down as much as it is, wade fishing has become almost the best option for fishing right now. Drifting, on the other hand, getting to be a more sketchy option by the hour. Smaller yellow stimi chew toys and para madam X patterns with droppers have been very productive up here recently as have smaller Dave's and Letort hoppers. Today's flow on Rock Creek near Clinton is 632 cfs, down about 10 cfs from yesterday.

HATCHES: Caddis, green drakes, salmonflies, golden stones, PMDs, hoppers.

FLIES: More realistically sized mayfly offerings such as parachute Adams, comparaduns or cripples in the 14 to 16 range. Green drake cripples or duns in 10s or 12s. Hopper and ant patterns have begun to work now. Slow moving streamers will also be a good option. Larger stonefly nymphs with bright red San Juan worm droppers.

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Gallatin River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Steam Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Gallatin&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Gallatin River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Gallatin_River__1114924459385_0_97.1900024414063.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
East Gallatin River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_East_Gallatin_River__1113345458915_0_42.1290016174316.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Flows at Gallatin Gateway are 1980 C.F.S. The clarity is getting better each day with plenty of clarity for good dry fly fishing right now. There are some Salmonflies out near Big Sky. The hatch has been progressing fairly quickly and the bugs have been in different areas each day. The best advice that I can give you is to drive the river and check the bushes, if you see adults on the willows give it a try. There have also been a few caddis and some goldenstones hatching as well. Attractors dries with bead head droppers have been producing some good results on the river outside of the Canyon. The weather forecast is suggesting some rainshowers for the next couple of days so the river could get dirty if it rains hard enough. Give us a call to check on the current conditions of the Gallatin.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: BH Prince #6-10, RL Stone #6-8, Yuk Bug #6-8, BH Twenty Incher #6-10, San Juan Worm #10, Ugly Bug #6-8, Rogue Foam Stone #4, Adult Salmofly #4, Royal Trude #8-12, Royal Stimulator #8-12, Peacock Trude #8-12, Peacock Anatomay #10-12, Hot Wire Caddis #10-12.

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Madison River - Lower - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Madison&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
South ForkMadison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_South_Fork_Madison_River__1112332447461_0_20.701000213623.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
West Fork Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_West_Fork_Madison_River__1115837448893_0_33.1749992370605.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

The flows at the Ennis Powerhouse are 1450 C.F.S. The lower is fishing well with good hatch activity throughout the day and lasting up till dark. Caddis and PMD's and the most abundant hatches but keep your eye out for fish feeding on Yellow Sallies and Golden Stone adults as well. The weather forecast is calling for overcast weather throughout the weekend and if they are right about the weather the streamer fishing should be decent as well. The Salmonflies are done for the most part, you may see a stray adult of two but the main hatch is on the upper river above Ennis. Nymphing with small caddis larvae and mayflies nymphs has been good during the slow hatch periods. The cool weather has been good for the water temps on the lower. Once the weather warms up keep your eye on the water temps because the lower river does have some thermal issues once we hit our normal summertime weather.



Fly Pattern Suggestions : Parachute Adams #14-16, Royal Wulff #12-16, Parachute PMD #14-16 Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12

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Madison River - Upper - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Great
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Madison&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here][/#0000ff][/url]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
South ForkMadison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_South_Fork_Madison_River__1112332447461_0_20.701000213623.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
West Fork Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_West_Fork_Madison_River__1115837448893_0_33.1749992370605.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

The flows at Kirby Ranch are 937 C.F.S. The Salmonfly hatch has been very good all week with the bugs reaching upstream to around the South Madison Rec area. The big fish have been up on the adults and that has been the main game for most of the anglers on the river. There is also a lot of other hatch activity such as caddis, pmd's and Yellow Sallies. If you want to stay away from the big bugs you can have some good fishing for smaller fish with attractor dries trailed with bead head nypmhs on the lower river where the adults are done hatching. The bottom end of the Salmonflies is just upstream of Varney Bridge so from Varney to town you may see less people and have great fishing with the other hatch activity.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Ugly Bug #4-6, Yuk Bug #4-6, Bitch Creek #2-6, Rogue Foam Stone #4, Bullet Head Salmonfly #4, Terranasty #4, Norm Wood Special #6-8, Sofa Pillow #4-6, Bh Prince #6-10, Mangy Caddis #14-16, Hotwire Caddis #12-16, Copper John #12-14, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Royal Stimulator #10-14, Parachute Adams #14-16

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Yellowstone River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Great
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=yellowstone&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Yellowstone River Montana WFP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Yellowstone_River__1039825479787_15.3889999389648_570.177001953125.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Flows at Livingston are 7450 C.F.S. The river is in great shape and the fishing has been red hot. The Salmonflies are out and if you are looking to fish the Big Bugs you will want to head to the very upper reaches of the river. The bottom end of the big bugs is between 26 mile and Point of Rocks. The adults are upstream all the way to Gardiner and the fishing has been very good with the adults. If you don't want to head to the upper river there is plenty of other hatch activity to on the rest of the river. There are several different species of caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallies and several species of smaller stone flies hatching. Dry fly dropper rigs have been working well on if you are fishing the other hatches. Streamer fishing has also been very productive with large double bunnies and black conehead buggers. If you are floating the river it is best to stay above Pine Creek right now. Flows at this level makes for some very fast, hard to fish water below Pine Creek. The river does mellow out a bit below the highway 89 bridge but there is still some powerful water on the lower river.



Fly patterns include: Rogue Foam Stone #4, Terranasty #4, Bullet Head Stone #4, Sofa Pillow #4, Royal Trude #8-10, Royal Stimulator #8-14, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Royal Wulff #8-12, Lime PMX #6-10, Royal PMX #6-10, BH Prince #8-12, Rubber Leg Stone #8-10, BH Mangy Caddis #12-14

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Missouri River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Missouri&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Missouri River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Missouri_River__1039825479786_1586.77905273438_2312.46704101563.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

The Mighty Mo is flowing at 2860 C.F.S. The Mos is comming into its own and the hatch activity has been improving. The Caddis and PMD's are starting to pop and the dry fly fishing has been good. Your best bet for dry fly action is downstream of Craig where the water starts to warm a bit. Nymphing is good as usual with sow bugs, scuds and mayfly imitations. The Mo will be the place to be if you like fishing dry flies to heads and pods of fish.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Soft Hackle Sow Bug #16-18, Ray Charles #16-18, San Juan Worm #10, Pink Scud #12-14, Rainbow Warrior #16-18, Red Midge Larvae #18-20, Olive Midge Larvae #18-20, Sawyer PT #16-18, Flashback PT #16-18, PMD Thorax #16-20, Parachite PMD #16-20, Tilt Wing Dun #16-18, Hi Vis Caddis #14-16, Bloom's Parachute Caddis #14-16, Hen Wing Caddis #14-16

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Big Hole River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
The Flows at Melrose Montana are 1030 C.F.S. The Salmonfly hatch is done for this year and it was pretty much a bust. The flows are dropping and it may be a short year on the Bighole this year. Water restrictions are going into affect in Butte to try and help keep water in the river for the Artic Grayling. Currently the river is fishing great with caddis and pmd's hatching on a consistent basis. The good ole parachute adams has been producing some great results as are other pmd and caddis imitations.

Fly Pattern Suggestions :Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12

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Beaverhead River - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Barrett's Diversion Dam are 375 C.F.S. The nymph fishing has been good with small scuds, sowbugs and small mayfly nymphs. There has been some sporadic baetis activity and there have been a few fish looking to the surface.

Fly Pattern Suggestions :Red San Juan Worms, Red Sawyer PT #18-20, Grey Scud #14-16, Olive Scud #14-16, Red Midge Larvae #18-22, Olive Midge Larvae #18-22, Olive Hares Ear #16-18, Green Weenie #18-20.

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Yellowstone National Park Rivers - June 26th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"][#0000ff]Yellowstone Angler[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Montana Stream Flows [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

We continue to hear very good reports on the Firehole. There have been hatches of PMDs and caddis on the flat water sections, all the way from Fountain Flats up to Muleshoe Bend.

One of our guides was in the Park on Thursday, June 24, and he found some fishable water in the oxbows on lower Slough Creek, but the rest of the creek was still a little high and off-color for productive fishing. The report on Soda Butte Creek and the Lamar was similar: they are both very close to fishable conditions, but anglers will need to wait on these streams for at least a few more days. If recent rains continue, they may stay up for a bit, but if the weather dries out, they will clear very quickly. Keep in touch for updates on hatches and water conditions

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Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - June 24th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"][#0000ff]Yellowstone Angler[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Armstrong Spring Creek (O'Hair Ranch), Nelson's Spring Creek, DePuy's Spring Creek

The Pale Morning Dun hatch, the first of the major summer hatches, has started on the Paradise Valley spring creeks.

The PMD hatch is still on the upswing, but we have started to see fishable numbers of bugs each day. The emergence is producing good nymph and emerger fishing, and dun patterns will become more important as the hatches get heavier.

Because the fish are seeing the nymphs of both PMDs and Sulfurs (which should start hatching in the next two weeks), nymph fishing is very productive. Good pattern choices include Pheasant Tails, Sawyer Style Pheasant Tails, George's Copper Drake Nymph, and a new pattern for us this season, the Olive Epoxy Biot Nymph, all in #16-18. Fish these under a PMD dry flym a small foam or yarn indicator, or try sight fishing without an indicator.

In the early stages of the hatch, try fishing a variety of PMD emergers, as you see fish rising to take mayflies in the film. Some of our favorites include René Harrop's Biot Body Cripples (in the Parachute, CDC or Hairwing versions), CDC Transitional Duns, and PMD Sprout Emergers. Once the fish start keying on duns, some of the bset patterns include PMD No Hackles, Biot Sparkle Duns, Comparaduns, and CDC Biot Parachutes.

We have still been seeing a few of the pale Baetis that are the mainstay hatch in the weeks preceding the start of the PMDs. These will probably fade quickly, but while they last, they can provide some very good dry fly fishing. This past week, they have been mixed with the PMDs, and they fish have preferred the smaller fly much of the time. This brood of Baetis is much paler than our "regular" spring Baetis, and #20 PMD or Sulfur patterns will work well when this bug is on the water.

Midge hatches will continue to provide some surface action on the spring creeks. There is usually some emergence mid-morning and again late in the afternoon and early evening. During the hatch, try fishing a variety of surface emergers like René Harrop's CDC Biot Midge Emergers and our Z-lon tailed CDC Midge Emerger. These small gray midge emergers can be tough to see, but you can always use these in combination with a more visible pattern like a CDC Hanging Midge, or simply fish them with a small yarn indicator.

The fish feed heavily on both midge larvae and midge pupae as well as surface emergers, so be sure to have some of these in your box. The Miracle Nymph, Green Krystal Midge Larva, and any of the Lace or Epoxy Head Midge Larva patterns can be very effective.

Now that the weather has turned warmer and brighter, small terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles will also be effective. Best sizes are #14-18.

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end of current report[cool]
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