Recent Fishing Reports for Montana. 8/11/04

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[size 1]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 - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/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"]click here[/url]]
Bitterroot River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141176468612&begmeas=0&endmeas=84.2779998779297"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: Early morning has been the key on the lower river the past week and should continue to be the key this week. Tricos are the main attraction and with their early morning spinner falls you can be off the water by the time it warms up in the early afternoon. The upper river is still the best cool water option locally, and is seeing very good topwater action with big flies right at daybreak. A hopper will keep it interesting from the minute you hit the water right up until the trout begin focusing on the tricos.

HATCHES: Midges, caddis, yellow sallies, giant goldens, PMDs,terrestrials.

FLIES: Golden stones of several varities such as Rogue, parachute madam Xs, or bulletheads. Parachute adams are always a good standby on this river in sizes 12 to 18. There will be lots of PMDs now, so have appropriately sized comparaduns, thorax ties, button emergers, etc... Have some Goddard and elk hair caddis for the evening hatch. Keep some smaller green and red bodied nymphs such as brassies if the fish won't play on top.

WEATHER: TODAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 80 TO 85 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 82 TO 88... LOWS 47 TO 52 THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 85 TO 92... LOWS 47 TO 52 SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 85 TO 90

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The difference between the upper sections of the 'root and down low near Missoula is night and day temperature wise. The lower river near Lolo and Missoula is warming up to a much greater degree by the end of the day.

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Blackfoot River - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Blackfoot+River"]click here[/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"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: There are lots of little fish willing to play on the surface early in the day, and on some days, the big boys will move as well. Water temps are getting high in the afternoons but the early morning temps and fishing have been good. Look for the odd ball patterns to produce right now red Turck's, purple adams, peach Chernobyls. The lower river will be very crowded by about 11 a.m. with tubers.

HATCHES: Caddis,tricos, golden stones, PMDs, terrestrials.

FLIES: Golden stones (both giant and yellow sallie), button emerger and cripple mayfly patterns, #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.

WEATHER: TODAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 80 TO 85 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 82 TO 88... LOWS 47 TO 52 THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 85 TO 92... LOWS 47 TO 52 SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 85 TO 90

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Stick to the upper reaches of The Blackfoot today for better fishing and less company.

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Clark Fork River - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Fair
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Clark+Fork&format=pre"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: Tricos are falling mid morning, it's been sporadic the past few days but with the stable weather pattern you should have spinner falls that you can count on over the next few days. The fishing in general on this river has improved pretty dramatically over the past week or so. Water temps are still an issue, though, so trying to keep your fishing day early is still a good idea. Remember that the warmest water temperatures of the day happen in the evening from about 9 p.m. until around 1 a.m. so evening fishing is still not a great option.

HATCHES: Caddis, tricos, giant golden stones, PMDs, terrestrials.

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.

WEATHER: TODAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 80 TO 85 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 82 TO 88... LOWS 47 TO 52 THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 85 TO 92... LOWS 47 TO 52 SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 85 TO 90

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The tricos have become much more of a morning focus in the past week or so.

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Rock Creek - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/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"]click here[/url]]
Rock Creek Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1154428475830&begmeas=0&endmeas=10.9219999313354"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: Rock Creek continues to chug along with decent August fishing. The upper river is the best place to be if you want to fish past about 1 as the fishing is slowing dramatically by afternoon. Hopper/dropper rigs, beetles, ants and PMD's should keep you hooked up. If you can't get the fish on top try dropping a #14-#16 prince off the back of something big and fishing the deep riffles. The evening fishing has been less than stellar although there are some sections that are producing decent action on a hit and miss basis. In general, we've been having our best evening fishing on the lower creek from The Dalles downstream.

HATCHES: Caddis, golden stones, PMDs, terrestrials.

FLIES: More realistically sized mayfly offerings such as parachute Adams, comparaduns or cripples in the 14 to 16 range. Hopper and ant patterns are also working well now. Try tossing big ugly junk with lots of rubber legs. Slow moving streamers will also be a good option.

WEATHER: TODAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 80 TO 85 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 82 TO 88... LOWS 47 TO 52 THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...CLEAR... HIGHS 85 TO 92... LOWS 47 TO 52 SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 48 TO 53 SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 85 TO 90 REPORTS: Rock Creek continues to chug along with decent August fishing. The upper river is the best place to be if you want to fish past about 1 as the fishing is slowing dramatically by afternoon. Hopper/dropper rigs, beetles, ants and PMD's should keep you hooked up. If you can't get the fish on top try dropping a #14-#16 prince off the back of something big and fishing the deep riffles. The evening fishing has been less than stellar although there are some sections that are producing decent action on a hit and miss basis. In general, we've been having our best evening fishing on the lower creek from The Dalles downstream.

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Madison River - Upper - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]click here][/url]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"]click here[/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"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

The flows at Kirby Ranch are 1010 C.F.S. The Upper river is starting to fish hopperific. Hoppers are the main game on the upper madison right now. There are also a few flying ants and some caddis activity on the river. You may also see some other aquatic hatches but they have been fairly sporadic. Dry dropper rigs are your best bet and concentrate on fishing the middle of the river and the deeper buckets next to the large boulders. If you are floating and you fish the banks you will find plenty of small fish that are eager to eat your flies. The larger fish tend to be in the middle of the river when the flows drop in the later part of the summer. Hoppers with a small bead head caddis larvae or small mayfly nymph has been the most productive fishing for those floating the river. If you are a wading angler try fishing the river close to Raynold's Pass and the Three Dollar Bridge area. Hatches are more prominent in this part of the river and it is a wade fishing only stretch of river. You may see a boat or two on this part of the river, which is well within the limits of the regulations, they are just not allowed to fish while they are in the boat. Hoppers and Beetle patterns have been producing well during the middle of the day on this part of the river and in the evening you can have some great success fishing attractor patterns and caddis imitations to rising fish. If you are going to wade fish the Valley Garden area near Ennis do it early in the morning or late at night. The water temps warm up during the heat of the day because the river is shallow and branches into so many channels in this area. The caddis activity has been good in the Valley Garden area late in the evening and up until dark.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: 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, Chernobly Hopper #8-10, Daves Hopper #8-10, Chubby Chernobly #6-8, Foam Flying Ant #12-14.

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Yellowstone River - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]click here[/url]]
Yellowstone River Montana WFP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Yellowstone_River__1039825479787_15.3889999389648_570.177001953125.aspx"]click here[/url]]

Flows at Livingston are 2750 C.F.S. The river is in great shape and the fishing has been fantastic this week. The cooler night time temperatures have the river nice and cool which is making for some slower fishing in the morning hours. The hoppers are the main game on the surface right now and the best fishing has been starting around noon each day. When the weather warms up look for the fishing to start to happen earlier in the morning and slow by mid afternoon. Right now it is the opposite so enjoy your nights rest and get out a little later in the day. Hopper dropper rigs have been the most productive way to fish but if you like to see the fish come up to the surface you can fish a hopper with a cicada or ant pattern off the back. Droppers have been producing a little better results than the dry activity but you will still see plenty of fish come up to the surface. The mid night stones are still comming off late in the evening and the fish definetly know what they are. Keep your hoppers on the larger size right now and as the stones start to taper off you will want to try a smaller fly, until the hoppers reach the large flying stage later in the month.



Fly patterns include: 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, Parachute Caddis #12-14, Molly Hopper #8-10, Marshmellow Hopper #8-10, Card's Cicada #10.

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Missouri River - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]click here[/url]]
Missouri River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Missouri_River__1039825479786_1586.77905273438_2312.46704101563.aspx"]click here[/url]]

The Mighty Mo is flowing at 2800 C.F.S. The Mo is slowing down a bit due to less insect activity and warmer water temps. The weeds are also starting to get a little tough to deal with. Trico's are still comming off in good numbers however if the wind blows you can right the trico hatch off for the morning. The caddis activity is slowing down, however you can still run into plenty of a hatch in the evening. You will have to go looking for the fish in the evening as well as the bugs. Look for pods of consistently rising fish. Hoppers are working well in the mid day and late afternoon when the the trico fishing slows. You won't have a ton of fish crash the hoppers, however you will see some good ones come up if you hang in there and fish the hoppers hard. Water temps are starting to play a role in the fishing so keep your eye on the temps and fish the appropriate areas once the water gets warm.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Hi Vis Caddis #14-16, Bloom's Parachute Caddis #14-16, Hen Wing Caddis #14-16, Trico Thorax #18-22, Trico Spinner #18-22, BH Trico Spinner #18-20, Parachute Pheasant Tail #16-18, Molly Hopper #6-8, Parachute Hopper #6-8, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, BH Lightining Bug #16-18.

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Big Hole River - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Melrose Montana 330 C.F.S. Trico's are starting to come off in the morning hours. The trico fishing can be very good on the Bighole, however wind will determine how good it is. Hoppers and droppers are the name of the game once the trico's are done. There is a bit of caddis activity in the evening as well. General attractor flies with bead droppers are my favorite way to fish the Bighole. I generally don't get to specific with the fly selection while I am on the Bighole.



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 - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Barrett's Diversion Dam are 165 C.F.S. The dry fly fishing remains very good on the Beavehead. They have bumped up the flows a bit again for some more irrigation water downstream. The fish are happy and the hatches are still comming off in good consistent numbers. Pale Morning duns are good in the morning with a break in the hatch activity throughout the heat of the day. Once the sun starts to go down the caddis hatch heats up and there are good numbers of fish looking up just prior to dark. You will need to nymph fish during the heat of the day. So far things are holding on well on the Beaverhead and hopefully we will continue to get some moisture in August which the Dillion are could really use.

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, Headlight Sally #14-16, PMD Comparadun #18-20, Parachute PMD #16-18, Hen Wing Caddis #14-16, Spent Partridge caddis #16-18.

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Yellowstone National Park Rivers - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=101,re"]North Fork Anglers[/url]
FISHING: Good
Yellowstone National Park
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - YELLOWSTONE RIVER - Stoneflies, caddis, baetis, pmd's and some beetles will take trout but you will have to work for them due to the decline in the fishery in the Nez Perce Ford to LeHardy Rapids area. Evening hours can be awesome when the rusty spinners are on the water.
YELLOWSTONE LAKE- Try stripping a Bugger, Hare's Ear, or Soft Hackle for some fun in the sheltered bays. Callibaetis (speckled duns) and caddis are on the surface, as are ants and beetles.
FIREHOLE - Yellow sallies and caddis. Midges are on the water also.
GIBBON/MADISON - Midges, caddis, yellow Sallies on the water. Small beadheads and little streamers are working also. Some brown drakes seen late evenings, just before dark.
LAMAR/ SLOUGH CREEK/ SODA BUTTE - A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Fishing conditions are good. If you don't mind the crowds, try the fishing. Bwo's, caddis, pmd's, yellow sallies, flavs, ants, and beetles. Hoppers beginning to get active now that the we are in August.[/url]

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Madison River - Lower - August 5th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=73,re"]Angler's Habitat[/url]
RECORDED: 91 ° FISHING: Good
Madison River

Good

The upper river in the park is beginnign to heat up so you'll want to fish it in the early mornings and late evening not only for yourself but it will also be easier on the fish. The lower river into Montana is cooler and is producing more fish. There are starting to be a few hoppers and the fish are starting to look for them both in t upper and lower river. There are also PMD's and if you are into fishing terrestrials this is the palce to be. Beside the hoppers the ants and beetles can be very effective patterns that catch some big picky fish for you. Also you need to watch for Yellow Sally's and some Baetis. There are a few around and the fish can sometimes key on thoses bugs. If I had to choose one rig it would be a hopper-dropper rig with a small pheasant tail as my dropper.

Flies: Beadhead Pheasant Tail, 16-20, Prince Nymphs, 14-20, Copper Johns, 14-18, PMD Emergers, 16-18, Calibaetis Emergers, 14-18, Baetis Hatchmatcher, 20, PMD Comparadun, 16-18, Olive Midges, 18-20, Black Midges, 18-20, Baetis Emergers, 18-20, Olive Emergers, 18-20 Joe's Hopper, 6-10, Dave's Hopper, 6-10, Parachute Hopper, 8-10

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End of reports
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