Recent Fishing Reports for Montana. 8/19/04

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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. They will be displayed from oldest to newest. Always check the bottom of the thread for the newest information.[/size]
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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 14th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=101,re"]North Fork Anglers[/url]
FISHING: Good


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 NATIONAL PARK - 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. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - 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. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - 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

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Big Hole River - August 14th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows on the Bighole at Melrose are 244 C.F.S. There has been a very nice Trico hatch in the morning with some good activity on hoppers once the trico hatch is done. The better trico fishing has been on the upper reaches of the river near the town of Wise River. You can have some good action near Melrose as well but I prefer to fish the tricos on the slower water above Wise River. Hopper droppers have been good in the afternoon as well as fishing some general attractor patterns in the likely looking spots. Flows have been holding on pretty well due to the purchase of instream flows from the ranchers in the valley to help protect the grayling fishery. If you are going to float the river it is best to use a raft right now because you will hit some rocks and run into some shallow areas on the river.



Fly Pattern Suggestions :Trico Thorax #18-22, Trico Spinner #18-22, BH Trico Spinner #18-20, Parachute Pheasant Tail #16-18, Molly Hopper #6-8, Parachute Hopper #6-8Yellow 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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Yellowstone River - August 14th, 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 2360 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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Madison River - Upper - August 14th, 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 1000 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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Gallatin River - August 14th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Great
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"]click here[/url]]
Gallatin River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Gallatin_River__1114924459385_0_97.1900024414063.aspx"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

Flows at Gallatin Gateway are 415 C.F.S. The Gallatin continues to be one of the hot spots in the area for fishing. Hatch activity is fair with some sparse hatches of Caddis, Trico's, and flying ants. Hatch activity has been very inconsitent and none of the hatches are huge right now. You could see some other mayfly species as well as some moth like caddis which are non important to the trouts diet. General attractor patterns such as trude, stimulators and wulffs are more productive than trying to match any of the hatch activity with more realistic imitations. Hoppers and ants are fishing well in the meadow areas here in the Valley or on the upper reaches of the river above Big Sky. You can have some success with hoppers in the canyon but the better hopper fishing has been in the areas where you have fields of grass or hay. There have been a few flying ants out on in the canyon and look for the ants to become more important to the trout over the next few weeks. Dry dropper rigs have been the most productive approach to fishing the Gallatin lately, especially through the middle of the day. Basic bead head nymph patterns will do the trick. The fish in the Gallatin love the good ole tried and true fly patterns, you don't have to get technical with the fish in the Gallatin.



Fly Pattern Suggestions: Royal Trude #8-12, Royal Stimulator #8-12, Peacock Trude #8-12, Bloom's Parachute Caddis #12-14, Parachute Adams #12-16, Yellow Stimulator #12-14, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Royal Wulff #12-14, X-Caddis #14-16, Black Slow Water Caddis #14-16, Peacock Anatomay #10-12, Hot Wire Caddis #10-12, King Prince #12-14, Turk's Tarantula #8-10, Parachute Hopper #8-10, Flying Ant #12-14.

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Madison River - Lower - August 17th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=73,re"]Angler's Habitat[/url]
RECORDED: 89 ° FISHING: Good
Madison River

Good

Not much has changed in a week on this great fishery. The main stay of all late summer fishing is the hoppers and they are out in full swing here. A hopper/dropper combo in the middle of the day will be your best bet to catch some fish. There can be activity found during the early A.M. and late P.M. time too. Most of the bugs are PMD's, flavs, and caddis in the evenings. There are also a few midges always present. The mid-day fishing can also be improved by nymphing and some attractors also.

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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Bitterroot River - August 17th, 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=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: The Bitterroot continues to drop and warm up like every other river in the area. With the weather forecast calling for some cooler weather by the weeks end we're hoping that the rivers cool a bit, they should if evening temps get down as predicted. Right now the upper end of the Bitterroot is the best option due to the cooler water temps. Hoppers and other foam nasties will keep you hooked up, if it slows down for you just drop a smallish nymph off the back and you should be back in business. The lower river has been producing with tricos from about 10-1, then it's slow going and warm water temps. If your going to fish the lower river get on early and be off by the heat of the day.

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. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 50 to 57. Tuesday and Tuesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Lows 49 to 56. Wednesday and Wednesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 87 to 95. Lows 47 to 52. Thursday through Friday night. Mostly clear. Highs 86 to 94. Lows 46 to 52. Saturday through Saturday night. Mostly clear. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 46 to 51.

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Clark Fork River - August 17th, 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: The trico fishing yesterday was considerably better through town than down low while the hopper fishing was better down low. Water temps are still an issue but the early morning fishing has been decent. Look for the cooler weather forecast for later this week to dramatically improve the fishing but for now it's still a get on early, get off early proposition.

HATCHES: Caddis, tricos, giant golden stones, 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. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 50 to 57. Tuesday and Tuesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Lows 49 to 56. Wednesday and Wednesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 87 to 95. Lows 47 to 52. Thursday through Friday night. Mostly clear. Highs 86 to 94. Lows 46 to 52. Saturday through Saturday night. Mostly clear. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 46 to 51.

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Missouri River - August 17th, 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=Missouri+River"]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]]

REPORTS: Tricos are still the main attraction but its been very tough on the Mo lately. Once the tricos fall you can keep a few fish interested in terrestrials midday. The caddis are still the name of the game right before dark. The low flows, high water temps, weed growth and extremely selective fish are making August a tough time to be on the Mo. This isn't to say, though, that the fishing itself is bad, it's just WAY more technical than say, May, when the fatties are willing to come up and eat #14 stimulators at the end of a 15' cast. If you're into big, technical fish, this river could be right up your alley!

HATCHES: PMDs, tricos, midges, hoppers, caddis.

FLIES: Subsurface it'll be the standard Mo junk like Ray Charles, eggs, size 16 to 20 flashback p-tails, lightning bugs, RS2's, red San Juan worms, pink and grey scuds (pinks in 16s and 18s and greys all the way up to a #12). For the dries, try comparaduns in 14s and 16s, size 18 cream colored cripples and parachute Adams, Griffith's gnats in 14 to 18, button emergers in 16s to 20s. We've also been getting lots of fish on Goddard and elk hair caddis in 14s.

WEATHER: Today. Partly cloudy with isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75 to 85. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Tonight. Partly cloudy with isolated evening showers and thunderstorms. Lows 50 to 55. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Tuesday. Partly cloudy. Highs 80 to 85. 70 to 75 in the mountains. South winds around 5 mph shifting to the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night. Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows 50 to 55. North winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. Wednesday. Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms. Highs 70 to 80. Northeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

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Rock Creek - August 17th, 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=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: Water temps are definately an issue by about 1 on the lower river. If you intend to fish all day head to the upper stretches and keep a close eye on temps. The Hopper/dropper rigs, beetles and ants are the best bugs right now. If you can't get the fish on top try dropping a #14-#16 p-tail off the back of something big and fishing the deep riffles. The cooler weather in the forecast will turn things around in a hurry up here, look for the fishing to improve dramatically by this weekend.

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. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 50 to 57. Tuesday and Tuesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Lows 49 to 56. Wednesday and Wednesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 87 to 95. Lows 47 to 52. Thursday through Friday night. Mostly clear. Highs 86 to 94. Lows 46 to 52. Saturday through Saturday night. Mostly clear. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 46 to 51.

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Blackfoot River - August 17th, 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=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: Get on the river early and try and be off by noon or so. Water temps are getting high and the FWP has now asked for voluntary hoot owl restrictions in order to protect the fishery, they are also asking that the tributaries - including the North Fork - not be fished until the water temps drop. Still best with a hopper dropper setup and it seems like color is the key right now with red, purple and peach producing best - Turks, Rainy's, Kingfisher Hoppers, Chernobyl Ants and the like. This morning's flow near Bonner is 535 with a water temperature of 64 degrees.

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. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 50 to 57. Tuesday and Tuesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 96. Lows 49 to 56. Wednesday and Wednesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 87 to 95. Lows 47 to 52. Thursday through Friday night. Mostly clear. Highs 86 to 94. Lows 46 to 52. Saturday through Saturday night. Mostly clear. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 46 to 51.

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To be continued.[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url]
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