Recent Fishing Reports for Montana. 9/03/04

[tubeN2]

[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]
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Madison River - Lower - August 26th, 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 the Ennis Powerhouse are 1160 C.F.S. As of Friday morning the water temperature was 60 degrees. The fishing has been very good this week on the lower river. There is not a lot of hatch activity, however the nymph fishing has been very consistent. Typically we are not fishing the lower this time of year due to warm water temperatures but the cool wet weather has cooled the river off nicely and the fishing has been good. Once we return to normal August weather the river may warm back up and the fishing could really slow again. Keep your eyes on the water temps and if the river gets back up around 70 degrees let the fish be. Most of the reports from our guides and other anglers fishing the river have been about the same. Crayfish or Sculpin patterns trailed with small bead head mayfly nymphs has been the fly combination. With some sunshine you can get a few fish to come up to a hopper pattern as well. Get out and enjoy the cooler weather and hopefully we will continue on with the moisture and nice air temps.



Fly Pattern Suggestions : Bow River Bugger #6-8, Rat Sculpin #6, BH Lightning Bug #12-16, BH Copper John #14-16, Peacock Anatomay #12-16, BH Pheasant Tail #12-16, King Prince #12-14.

[tubeN2]

Big Hole River - August 26th, 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 279 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

[tubeN2]

Yellowstone River - August 27th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Poor
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 2940 C.F.S. The river as of this morning was running chocolate milk from the rains the previous couple of days. It will most likely be a few days before the river clears up enough to fish again. I would not expect to see the river clean by tomorrow and Sunday may be a long shot as well. Please give us a call before you go to the river. We get updates each day from the shuttle companies and generally we have a good idea of what the rivers condition is.



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.

[tubeN2]

Bighorn River - August 29th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Good
Reports on the Bighorn have been mixed, so I ran down there this past Sunday to check out the scene and sample the fishing. I was pleasantly surprised and am anxious to get back down there, especially as the evening caddis hatches get stronger.

The Bighorn has been running at record low levels (1300-1500 CFS) for the past three years and this has hurt the fish populations as well as the insect hatches. The numbers of fish are down dramatically for sure, but the average size of the fish is UP, and I was impressed at their wonderful condition. These fish are real BRICKS- not the mushy soft non-fighters you used to catch when the water temperatures were much higher in mid-summer.

The colder water temperatures (they are drawing the water out well below the thermocline in Bighorn Lake, so it is coming out of the afterbay in the mid to high 40 degree range) have played havoc with the normal insect hatches though, so the best fishing is on nymphs.

Sowbug patterns are the hot item, in sizes from 14 down to 20's. These sow bugs are mostly medium to light grey. As well as sow bugs, small mayfly nymphs like PT's in 18-20's are perfect as a dropper. With the water crystal clear, you should be using 5X fishing nymphs.

I found that the low water opens up a tremendous amount of good new nymphing water—places where I'd never been able to fish before. On the other hand, lots of those side channels that used to be so good are bone dry!

For dry fly anglers, about the only way to go in mid-day is to fish hoppers. Cover a lot of water, fish a medium sized hopper with rubber legs, and twitch it a bit, especially in the slower, deeper water. You won't catch nearly as many fish as you will on nymphs, but the takes you'll get are exciting and the fish are huge! I landed several rainbows and browns in the 3-4 pound class on hoppers and lost a couple that looked larger. Don't think about using a tippet smaller than 3x or 4X unless you don't mind losing a lot of fish on explosive takes or when they dive into the weeds.

The fishing pressure is far, far less than a few years ago but you won't have the river to yourself. Looks to me like on an average day there might be 20-30 boats on that 3-13 stretch. Still, this gives you a lot of water to fish and those big fish certainly make the trip worthwhile. I'm looking forward to getting back down there!

[tubeN2]

Madison River - Upper - August 29th, 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 1030 C.F.S. This weeks weather has made for some interesting fishing on the upper river. We have been fishing smaller bead heads trailed behind small golden stones and streamers. The weather forecast is for warmer sunny weather and I would expect to see the fish go right back to eating the hoppers and ant patterns that were effective last week. Many of the rivers will be fishing much differently than they have this week as we move back to more average weather patterns for August. The wet weather is great, but it does create some varying conditions and can spur some hatch activity that we would otherwise not see this time of year. If you like to fish more match the hatch fishing than head to the very upper reaches of the river near Raynold's Pass and Three dollar bridge. Baetis and caddis have been hatching along with a few pmd's and other mayflies that have been very inconsistent.

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.

[tubeN2]

Gallatin River - August 29th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]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 527 C.F.S. This is slightly above average flow and we have been seeing small plugs of dirty water comming down the Gallatin from all the rain. The weekends weather forecast is for dryer warmer weather with temperatures in the mid 70's and reaching into the mid 80's by mid week next week. This will bring back the terrestrial fishing that August is know for. If the skies are cloudy and overcast look for Blue Winged Olive and Psuedocleon hatches on the river. These same hatches will take place once it warms up but the hatches will be brief and unpredictable. The water temps are much cooler than normal so you may find fish in the deeper pools as well as up in the riffles. Hopper droppers fished in the pocket water is always a good bet this time of year. Don't forget your other terrestrial patterns, especially ant patterns on the Gallatin. Standard attractor patterns are also always a great bet for fooling a few fish on 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.

[tubeN2]

Yellowstone National Park Rivers - September 2nd, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=101,re"]North Fork Anglers[/url]
FISHING: Fair


YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - YELLOWSTONE RIVER-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 and BWO's on the water. Small beadheads and little streamers are working also. Some brown drakes seen late evenings, just before dark. Fishing slow at best right now. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - LAMAR/ SLOUGH CREEK/ SODA BUTTE - A little bit of this and a little bit of that. This area is also recovering from the wet weather the past two weeks. Fishing conditions are good. If you don't mind the crowds, bwo's, caddis, pmd's, yellow sallies, flavs, ants, and beetles. Hoppers are working some, but not like they were last season.

[tubeN2]

Rock Creek - September 2nd, 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: We continue to have very good fishing up here with a simple hopper/dropper rig on the mid to lower river and small mayfly dries on the upper reaches. Expect the mayflies to become even more relevant as the clouds persist and temps drop. The fish have gotten somewhat pattern specific on the upper half of the river recently, so if a #14 parachute Adams isn't working, rotate through about 7 other options before you decide they're not looking up . . .because they are! Smaller hopper/attractor patterns the fish aren't likely to have seen 6 gazillion times this year are working very well on the lower sections of the creek. Keeping non peacock utilizing nymphs on as droppers will get your hook-up rate about doubled. Peacock is fine if you want to shake hands with uncle whitie all day long. Today's flow at Clinton is up about 15 cfs from this time yesterday and is now running 266. There is a pretty aggressive spike on this morning's flow chart, so you might want to keep an eye on how sustained this bump is before you head up that way. With as much rain as we got yesterday, it could get "nymphs only" big in a hurry.

HATCHES: Caddis, golden stones, a few tricos,hecubas, a few baetis, 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...SCATTERED SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 61 TO 66... WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH. TONIGHT...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 39 TO 44 WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE EVENING. FRIDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 62 TO 67 FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 41 TO 46 SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 64 TO 74 LOWS 43 TO 49. LABOR DAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 72 TO 78 LOWS 41 TO 47.

[tubeN2]

Missouri River - September 2nd, 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: Hmmm, looks like more of that windy crap. If the wind stays at a reasonable level, though, you could have some very good fishing in the clouds that're on tap for today. If you're having trouble getting the fish to play on top, for whatever reason, the standard Missouri nymphs (lightining bugs, pink scuds, RS2s, etc...) have been working well as tandems in the chest deep riffles. The streamer action has the potential to improve dramatically in the clouds, and might be a good alternative if the wind's destroying your long leader, tiny dryfly casts. You're almost certainly in for a brawl with the wind today. Any breaks or protected areas should produce great fishing today.

HATCHES: tricos,psuedos, 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. The brown buggers in the shallows have begun working for us again recently.

WEATHER: REST OF TODAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. COOLER. HIGHS 60 TO 65...50 TO 55 IN THE MOUNTAINS. WEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT. TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS LOWS 40 TO 45...AROUND 35 IN THE MOUNTAINS. WEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH. FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 60 TO 65...50 TO 55 IN THE MOUNTAINS WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.

[tubeN2]

Clark Fork River - September 2nd, 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=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: Yesterday fished very well on top until the wind kicked up. The fish were all over the big uglies and the fish there were up and eating systematically would readily eat big sprout emergers and then the smaller Lawson cripples as well. Once things got to blowing, and before the crazy wind, a red San Juan worm deep under whatever was picking up some nice fish. We also had some decent bugger fishing from about 9:30 until about noon when it shut off hard subsurface. Today should be very similar with little chance for the intense afternoon winds we saw yesterday. The cooler water temps and above average flows on this river have created some great fishing on the lately neglected upper river above Milltown. Lots of bug activity up there lately with good numbers of baetis, hecubas and pmds. They'll eat your hoppers up here too.

HATCHES: Caddis,hecubas, 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...SCATTERED SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 61 TO 66... WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH. TONIGHT...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 39 TO 44 WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE EVENING. FRIDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 62 TO 67 FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 41 TO 46 SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 64 TO 74 LOWS 43 TO 49. LABOR DAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 72 TO 78 LOWS 41 TO 47.

[tubeN2]

Blackfoot River - September 2nd, 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: These fish have switched hard to the smaller bugs in the last few days. Yesterday our best bug BY FAR was a size 16 parachute Adams. While we were able to get some fatties to look at the big stuff, on top it was 10 to 1 on the smaller mayflies. The streamer fishing was pretty good, though, and that allowed us to quell our junk fixation. Color didn't seem to matter too much with the streamers as long as they were muted and not too bright . . . kinda like Michael Moore. The river is currently fishing well pretty much its entire length. There is the possibility that the major rain that happened up The Blackfoot Valley yesterday afternoon will bring down some more mud, so you might want to double check conditions before you head up that way. Today's flow near Bonner is 647 with a water temperature of 61.

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

FLIES: Golden stones (both giant and yellow sallie), hoppers/ants, button emerger and cripple mayfly patterns, #12 or 14 royal Wulffs, deep and slow tandem nymph rigs, brown, olive or black streamers.

WEATHER: TODAY...SCATTERED SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 61 TO 66... WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH. TONIGHT...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 39 TO 44 WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE EVENING. FRIDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 62 TO 67 FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 41 TO 46 SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 64 TO 74 LOWS 43 TO 49. LABOR DAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 72 TO 78 LOWS 41 TO 47.

[tubeN2]

Bitterroot River - September 2nd, 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: You should have good fishing along the entire length of the river today. Yesterday we had very good luck with both hoppers and cripple mayfly patterns. Even when the wind got to howling, there were still LOTS of fish willing to come up and eat through the whitecaps. The insect activity was about as good as we've seen it recently, too, and with the cooler weather on tap today, there should be more of the same. Our best bugs yesterday were the parachute Schroeder's hopper with a green drake (yes, green drake) cripple behind it.

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. Quill bodied tricos as well as button emergers in 18s and 20s. 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...SCATTERED SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 61 TO 66... WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH. TONIGHT...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 39 TO 44 WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE EVENING. FRIDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS... MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 62 TO 67 FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 41 TO 46 SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 64 TO 74 LOWS 43 TO 49. LABOR DAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 72 TO 78 LOWS 41 TO 47.

[tubeN2]

Yellowstone National Park Rivers - September 5th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Good
Montana Stream Flows [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow"]click here[/url]]

[/url]Yellowstone National Park Fishing in the north end of the Park will depend on local weather and water conditions. These streams have been clear most of the last week or so, but we did hear the Lamar was dirty for at least a short period a couple of days ago. However, these streams often fish very well just as they drop and clear after a high water period, so it sometimes pays to be adventurous and make the drive to check on water conditions.

As long as they clear, all of the streams in the northern end of the Park, including Slough Creek, the Lamar River, and Soda Butte Creek, will offer good dry fly fishing on terrestrials through most of September. These meadow streams support a wide variety of terrestrial insects, including ants, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, etc. While most anglers prefer to fish hoppers, as they are easy to see, the smaller terrestrials will often be more productive, especially on the easily accessed areas of these waters, where the fish see quite a bit of angling pressure.

If you stay into the evening, the Lamar and Soda Butte also get good hatches of caddis. On Slough Creek, look for hatches of caddis, but there are also often good midge hatches that will require smaller flies and lighter tippets.

Park regulars are also starting to think about the hatches of "fall drakes". These hatches usually start about the second week of September, but with the recent cool, cloudy weather, we have heard that the hatches have already started. A March Brown Parachute or Hare's Ear Parachute in #12-14 are ideal dry flies for this hatch.

[tubeN2]

Yellowstone River - September 5th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/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]]

[/url]Yellowstone River We had more rain in Yellowstone Park last week, and we suffered through a few days of off-color water, but the river came back in shape early this week. Today, the river is in great shape around Livingston, but looking at the hydrograph, it does appear that the flows on the Lamar jumped up a bit over the last couple of days, so we will be on the lookout for any change in water conditions. Anglers should be aware that some of the mud that comes out of the Lamar never makes it as far as Livingston. In the lower flows of late summer, some of the mud actually settles out, and we sometimes hear that the Lamar is very muddy, yet the off-color water never makes it to the stretches near town. As always, be sure to call or e-mail us for updates on weather and water conditions.

Anglers should match their tactics to the weather and water conditions they encounter. On warm, bright days, the best approach is to fish attractor dry flies and hopper patterns. The best attractor patterns include Tan and Royal Parachute Madam Xs and Convertibles, Stimulators, and Turck's Tarantulas in sizes 8-12. These attractors represent both grasshoppers and the mid-summer brown stones that we find on the Yellowstone at this time of year. Big black attractors have also produced well—our favorites in this category are the Black Magic and Card's Cicada.

Guide Brian Sienkowski and Tom Bailey with big Yellowstone rainbow Hopper fishing will continue to be a main focus for both anglers and the fish for the next couple of weeks, as long as the weather stays warm. We carry a wide variety of hopper patterns from traditional patterns like a Dave's Hopper, Whit's Hi-Vis Hopper, and the Parachute Hopper to some of the new foam patterns like the Grand Hopper and Red Legged Hopper. It is smart to carry a variety of sizes, as some days the fish seem to prefer a larger or smaller pattern.

Fishing these attractors and hoppers in tandem with a small bead head nymph has become a standard technique for most anglers on the Yellowstone. Pattern choice in the nymph is usually not critical. Popular choices include Princes, Pheasant Tails (including the variations with some extra flash in the body), Copper Johns, etc. Fish these in #14-16.

If we see the return of cool, cloudy conditions, streamers will produce well. Fishing Woolly Buggers and sculpin patterns from a drift boat is still a great way to take a big brown trout, even in late summer.

Cool, showery days have also triggered the first of the fall Baetis hatches on the Yellowstone. Reports from the cloudy days this last week were very good. Bright conditions will minimize these hatches, but in the right conditions, these bugs will appear around 1-3:00 pm. Look for rising fish in foam pockets, backeddies, and on the inside of riffle corners.

[/url]Private Lakes Burns Lake near Big Timber continues to fish very well. Anglers are enjoying good fishing with hoppers and cicada patterns on warm afternoons, but try stripping leeches or small Woolly Buggers if you get a cloudy day. The rod fee on Burns is $90 this season, and you can book rods through the shop or by calling Rasch Burns at 406-932-4150.

Buckingham Reservoir near White Sulphur Springs is a spectacular new lake that we have access to this year for our clients. Although it involves a bit of a drive, the setting in the Belt Mountains is beautiful and the fishing has been excellent. Anglers cannot expect to catch the numbers of fish that are available on Burns, but the quality and size of the fish makes this a very special place indeed! Nearly all of our clients that have been up to Buckingham have gotten cleaned out or have landed some big rainbows in the 5-8 pound category! There are a few very big brook trout also, up to 3 pounds. Access is limited to guided parties of 2 people per day, and the rod fee is $75/rod.

[/url]Yellowstone National Park Fishing in the north end of the Park will depend on local weather and water conditions. These streams have been clear most of the last week or so, but we did hear the Lamar was dirty for at least a short period a couple of days ago. However, these streams often fish very well just as they drop and clear after a high water period, so it sometimes pays to be adventurous and make the drive to check on water conditions.

As long as they clear, all of the streams in the northern end of the Park, including Slough Creek, the Lamar River, and Soda Butte Creek, will offer good dry fly fishing on terrestrials through most of September. These meadow streams support a wide variety of terrestrial insects, including ants, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, etc. While most anglers prefer to fish hoppers, as they are easy to see, the smaller terrestrials will often be more productive, especially on the easily accessed areas of these waters, where the fish see quite a bit of angling pressure.

If you stay into the evening, the Lamar and Soda Butte also get good hatches of caddis. On Slough Creek, look for hatches of caddis, but there are also often good midge hatches that will require smaller flies and lighter tippets.

Park regulars are also starting to think about the hatches of "fall drakes". These hatches usually start about the second week of September, but with the recent cool, cloudy weather, we have heard that the hatches have already started. A March Brown Parachute or Hare's Ear Parachute in #12-14 are ideal dry flies for this hatch.

[/url]Missouri River The Missouri River is fishing well right now, with good hatches of trico mayflies in the early mornings and caddis close to dark. The PMD's are pretty much over now but there is some good hopper fishing during mid-day, especially on the lower stretches through the canyon and all the way down to Cascade.

The Trico hatches seem to be the most intense up closer to Holter Dam and in the Wolf Creek to Craig stretch. This is some of the best dry fly fishing of the year, and the Tricos bring up all the big fish as long as the wind cooperates and doesn't blow too hard in the mornings.

There are still lots of big rainbows and browns in the Mo, and dry fly purists are having a great time up there. The word is out though, so expect a lot of fishing pressure. Still, this is a big river, running around 2500-3000 CFS, and it can support a lot of anglers in that 30 miles of river between Holter Dam near Wolf Creek and Cascade.

[tubeN2]

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