Bozeman Angler Fishing Report

Things have definately switched to the predictable winter time conditions and so have the trout.  Holding in cold weather areas like deep slower moving pools the fish are looking mostly for nymphs, eggs, worms, and the occasional streamer.  The fishing is decent if there isn't too much slush and ice in the big rivers that stay open year round ie:Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, Missouri.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: iced up at Livingston  

Things are pretty slushy on the stone right now we recommend giving it a break till things warm up a bit.  On the occasional warm spells through the winter it can be a great walk wading option with stonefly nymphs and midges.  Pretty sleepy for the most part.

GALLATIN RIVER: 334cfs  

Some ice shelfs in certain areas but you can hike to clear large pools and most trout in the river with be staged in those slower moving spots.  The double nymph rig with a rubberleg stonefly trailed by a caddis soft hackle always seems to produce in the winter.  Use a lot of weight to get it down in front of their face and let the nymphing season begin!

recommended flies: rubberlegs, king prince, lightning bug, olive soft hackle, iron sally, wooly bugger, sculpzilla, griffith's gnat, parachute adams

UPPER MADISON: 1,200cfs  

One of our favorite winter walk wades is the 3 dollar bridge area for some pocket water nymphing.  The Ennis access and Valley Gardens are closed to the public, A nice ice dam is forming close to town anyway so it'd be tough hauling a boat over.  The rest of the valley is good to go if your ready to brave the elements and do some serious nymphing and dead drifted streamers.

recommended flies: bow river bugger, san juan worms, sex fly, lightning bug, king prince, stoners, rubberlegs, coffey's sparkle minnow

LOWER MADISON: 1,560cfs   

An awesome place to make some casts in between the wind gusts with a heavy double nymph or crayfish rig.  One of the most productive waterways for san juans and egg patterns through the winter.  Also a great time to learn the habitat of the river and get to know the good "buckets" were most fish will be staged year round.  Fishing the Lower Madison in the winter is also a great place to practice spey casting and target those big browns.

recommended flies: snapping craw, bow river bugger, sculpzilla, sheila sculpin, JJ's Special, sex fly, san juan worm, delektable worm, tailwater tiny, grey twinkle, copper john

MISSOURI RIVER: 5,590cfs  

Pretty awesome option is you wanna catch good numbers of big fish....Yeah, who doesn't?  However it's a lot of December snow and wind but that will not be on your mind as your battling a 22inch brown at all.  Like other tailwaters the switch to winter nymphs/scuds/eggs have taken over with the occasional good streamer day.  When things are just right you might catch a few fish feeding on top with midges but untill you see it your better off to stick with a bright flashy size 18 lightning bug.

recommended flies: micro may, lightning bug, hunchback scud, sex fly, grey twinkle, red twinkle, san juan, flesh eating sculpin, sculpzilla, sprakle minnow, griffith's gnat

The fishing is great, the scenery is serene, and the boat ramps mostly empty of trailers.  So things are pretty good for the late season fisherman with weather that still feels like July and on cloudy days the BWO's hatch.  A lot of relaxing satisfied exhales on the water lately.  

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 2,410cfs  

The stone is still holding good for a decent option to float right now.  Fish still hitting dries and chasing streamers like mad.  A few baetis showing up more and more each day and the terrestrial fishing remains steady as well as attractor patterns so plenty of choices for top water action before it starts to snow and we stare at the bobber all winter.  The nymphing is very consistent with flashy baetis imitations and big stoneflies.

recommended dries: BA spent hopper, chubby chernobyl, Morrish Hopper, Parachute baetis, CDC baetis emerger, tilt wing BWO, Purple haze, never sink trude, orange stimulator, two tone ant, hi-vis beetle, glitter ant

nymphs: rubberlegs, mega prince, copper john, king prince, october caddis pupa, bloom's soft hackle-brown, sex fly, blue spanker, batman blue, PT flashback, lightning bug

streamers: new school muddler, copper zonker, Bow river bugger, olive bugger, JJ's special, crispy critter, sculpzilla, big gulp

GALLATIN RIVER: 611cfs  

The gallatin has been fishing pretty good lately with plenty of cool clear water and aggressive trout.  Sunny days a Hopper-dropper rig is still producing and cloudy days have some tricos, BWO's and green drakes coming off the water.  Nymphing with flashy beadheads, stoneflies, and small midge imitations is the best way to get some numbers under your belt.  The streamers have really gotten the browns on the chase and if your so inclined egg patterns are starting to be silly good as well.  Still a lot of people fishing in the canyon but the crowds seem to thin out as you get into the valley.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl, Morrish Hopper, Bloom's hopper, tilt wing BWO, BWO squeezer, purple haze, trico spinner, trico quill body parachute, green drake, royal wulff, orange stimulator

nymphs: lightning bug, PT flashback, sex fly, blue spanker, copper john, knuckle dragger baetis, rubberlegs, king prince, mega prince, olive soft hackle, delekta worm, bubble back BWO, bloom's soft hackle, bloom's baetis nymph

streamers: sculpzilla, wooly bugger, new school muddler, mini-loop sculpin, bow river bugger, grey ghost

UPPER MADISON: 1,250cfs  

some real spotty reports from the Upper lately mostly not that great.  Could just be a day to day thing like usual on the Upper, when it's good it's amazing and the next day you wonder where all the fish went?  Should you find yourself there on a good day you can find some fish rising to attractor patterns, mayflies, and ants.  I would definately still throw a hopper or cicada pattern but with the cool weather this week that may start diminishing.  Big stuff under the indicator or swung and stripped is the way to go after the big browns.  The channels above the lake and the walk wade stretch by three dollar bridge are always a safe bet for good fishing in the fall.

recommended dries: Para Adams, tilt wing BWO, BWO squeezer, BA spent Hopper, BA cicada, Two-tone ant, glitter ant, h & l variant, never sink trude

nymphs: knuckle dragger baetis, bubble back BWO, lightning bug, red headed stepchild, king prince, mega prince, stoner, copper john, october caddis pupa, sex fly

streamers: JJ's Special, McCunes's Sculpin, sculpzilla, bow river bugger, pearl zonker, crispy critter, snapping craw, mini-loop sculpin

LOWER MADISON: 1,540cfs  

Some great fishing to be had on the lower right now with nice cool water temps and big aggressive browns making their way upstream.  Lot's of good fish being taken on sculpins, crayfish, and baetis nymphs.  Starting to get good baetis hatches so the dry fly option is certainly available.  Fish seem to be more keyed into flies on the move like a fast retrieve on the streamer and even a good twitch on the hopper patterns.  Trout seem to be hanging in the buckets along grass mats and in the soft seams below islands. Definately a great option right now to get into some good fishing.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl, cinnamon ant, glitter ant, two-tone ant, tilt wing baetis, para baetis, BWO squeezer, purple haze, trico spinner, BA spent hopper, Dave's hopper, never sink trude

nymphs: lightining bug, bubble back BWO, knuckle dragger baetis, bloom's soft hackle-brown, red copper john, red headed stepchild, blue spanker, PT flashback

streamers: JJ's special, sculpzilla, wooly bugger, big gulp sculp, flesh eating sculpin, zonker-pearl/copper, snappin craw, chickabou craw, morrish sculpin

MISSOURI RIVER: 4,750cfs  

Great time to be on the Missouri with fish chasing streamer and rising to good hatches of caddis, october caddis, pseudos, and callibaetis.  The baetis have yet to show up in numbers but lots of other small mayflies to challenge your hatch matching skills.  The nymphing is great with tiny midge and baetis patterns  Cooler weather and cloudy skies make the Missouri one of the most challenging and in turn rewarding fisheries in the state right now.

recommended dries: Para PMD, Para Adams, stacked hackle callibaetis, purple teaser, glitter ant, purple squeezer, purple caddis, Elk Hair-peacock, film critic callibaetis, loop wing caddis, orange stimulator, renegade, griffiths gnat

nymphs: micro may, tail water tiny, zebra midge, sex fly, copper john, knuckle dragger baetis, lightning bug, sow bug, hunchback scud, stalcups baetis, bloom's brown soft hackle

streamers: flesh eating sculpin, sculpzilla, JJ's special, Bow river bugger, Copper zonker, deer hair bugger, big gulp, snapping craw

BIG HOLE: 475cfs  

One of the best spots to rip streamers at the moment the Big Hole offers up it's beautifully autumn colored brown trout in it's tea stained water.  Still some oppertunties for dry flies and of course nymphing will get a few good fish.  The big fly is where it's at right now.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl tan/gold, Morrish Hopper, More or Less Hopper, donkey kong hopper, lime trude, elk hair-tan, yellow stimulator, glitter ant, two tone ant

nymphs:lightning bug, iron sally, rubberlegs, muskrat stone, copper john, red headed stepchild, blue spanker

streamers: zonkers-any color, bow river bugger-rust, JJ's Special, crispy critter, big gulp, sculpzilla

A lot of water is fishing great right now and not that many people so what could be better?  Throw some real big aggressive browns into the mix and you have a perfect mixture for the adventurous and those seeking solace.  Fish still eating hoppers with more and more baetis/mayflies every day.  

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 2,070cfs   

Lots of good hopper fishing to be had right now on the stone with nice baetis and drake hatches especially on good cloud cover days.  The dropping flows are concentrating a lot of bigger fish to the cooler middle of the river seams and foamlines.  A hopper dropper rig is still very consistent but the royal wulff hatch has been great so don't forget about the attractor patterns.  Lot's of psuedos and small mayflies so a tiny purple haze or tiny nymph has been getting a lot of good takes.

recommended dries: Pink Morrish Hopper, More or Less Hopper, Dave's Hopper, chubby chernobyl, never sink trude, royal wulff, lime trude, purple parachute, parachute adams, Green Paradrake, parachute baetis, tilt wing BWO

nymphs: red/lime copper john, blue/silver/PT lil spanker, king prince, Hare's Ear, Mega Prince, rubberlegs, lightning bug, slow guy, knuckle dragger baetis, red headed stepchild

streamers: copper zonker, sculpzilla, McCune's Sculpin, Big gulp, Bow river bugger, JJ's special, olive bugger, double bunny, new school muddler

GALLATIN RIVER: 590cfs  

Some beautiful water all along our closest local freestone the Gallatin has some very steady action these days with fish still hitting hoppers and attractors up top.  The nymphing is just killer if you want to up your numbers and the streamer bite keeps things entertaining especially late in the day.  Hopper dropper is a good choice or maybe even a stonefly dropper setup up in the canyon.

recommended dries: Morrish hopper, Dave's Hopper, Parachute adams, chubby chernobyl, elk hair caddis, two-tone ant, trico spinner, pearl butt trico, para baetis, BWO squeezer

nymphs: king prince, rubberlegs, rock n roller stone, bloody mary, blue spanker, PT flashback, Hare's ear, copper john, pearl soft hackle, olive soft hackle, slow guy, knuckle dragger baetis, sparkle caddis

streamers: wooly bugger, sculpzilla, pearl zonker, New school muddler, McCunes Sculpin

UPPER MADISON: 1,180cfs 

Good water clarity and a lot of smaller fish taken off the banks on attractor patterns with bigger fish hitting the hopper in the deep pockets close to middle of the river boulders.  Some good fish eating stone fly nymphs and the occasional stone dry.  The most popular float being from Lyons down with real skinny water closer to town so a raft is easier to navigate.  Great walk wading up around three dollar bridge area.  

recommended dries: Annes Mo Joe Golden, Chubby Chernobyl, Morrish Hopper, Wilcox Hopper, Dave's Hopper, purple caddis, purple teaser, royal wulff, never sink trude, glitter ant, para adams

nymphs: rubberlegs, mega prince, king prince, lime copper john, lil spanker PT, lil spanker silver, micro may, olive soft hackle, red-headed stepchild, iron sally, lightning bug

streamers: big gulp sculpin, JJ's Special, Wooly Bugger, Sculpzilla, Snapping craw, Copper zonker, McCunes Sculpin, flesh eating sculpin

LOWER MADISON: 1,630cfs  

Great steady flows have enough water in the lower to support the monster browns that move on up in the Fall.  Not a ton of dry fly action but a lot of good fish are still coming up to the hopper.  Awesome streamer action and plenty of good fish being taken on the small nymph dropper as well.  It is not usually steady action like the stone right now but the big monster browns that have been fooled lately make it worth committing the whole day for it.

recommended dries: Chernobyl hopper, Morrish Hopper, purple caddis, purple teaser, monster beetle, hi-vis beetle, glitter ant, two tone ant, purple parachute, neversink trude

nymphs: red headed stepchild, blue spanker, PT flashback, red copper john, micro may, supa pupa bright green, yuba pupa olive, sex fly, san juan worm, zebra midge

Streamers: snapping craw, bow river bugger, big gulp sculpin, flesh eating sculpin, chickabou craw, sculpzilla, JJ's special, Hare fry, pearl zonker

MISSOURI RIVER: 5,270cfs   

The big tailwater still produces the big fish with challenging hatches, steady nymphing, and exciting streamer fishing.  The tricos are still coming in the mornings and thicker up by the dam but more boats as well.  The lower river gives you solace and floating weeds with good streamer action once you get below the floating grass.  A lot of good caddis to be had and a few baetis here and there.  The hopper thing has been so-so but maybe worth the effort on a nice bright and windy day.

recommeded dries: Bloom's caddis-tan/peacock, fast water caddis, tilt wing PMD, CDC baetis emerger, Morrish Hopper pink, Parachute Hopper, Purple parachute, parachute adams, trico spinner, trico emerger, quill body trico, PMD squeezer, royal wulff, glitter ant, two-tone ant, hackle stacker PMD, PMD transitional

nymphs: stalcup's baetis, knuckle dragger baetis, red headed stepchild, micro may, copper john, PT flashback, Lightning bug, tailwater tiny, hunchback scud, sex fly, blue spanker

streamers: copper zonker, sculpzilla, snapping craw, wooly bugger, hale bopp leech, crispy critter, flesh eating sculpin, double bunny, McCunes sculpin, JJ's Special

BIG HOLE: 345cfs  

Spotty reports from the Big Hole are either terrible or amazing.  Which is usually the case this time of year in the Big Hole valley with it's crazy temperature swings.  However if you happen to be on the water during one of those good days it can be absolutely epic.  Plenty of hoppers, ants, tricos, and attractor patterns for the top water.  The Big Hole is definately worth the drive from Bozeman area but do yourself a favor and stay for at least 3 days then if you have one poor day tomorrow is always brighter.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl tan/gold, Morrish Hopper, More or Less Hopper, donkey kong hopper, lime trude, elk hair-tan, yellow stimulator, glitter ant, two tone ant

nymphs:lightning bug, iron sally, rubberlegs, muskrat stone, copper john, red headed stepchild, blue spanker

streamers: zonkers-any color, bow river bugger-rust, JJ's Special, crispy critter, big gulp, sculpzilla

It has been an awesome Summer and now it's time to separate the spawners from the fry and go throw some big flies at aggressive browns getting ready to do their trout dance.  Sunny days are offering some great terrestrial dry fly action midday with caddis and quill spinner mayflies into the late afternoon.  Tricos emergers in the morning and spinner falls by noon you have plenty of options to challenge yourself with.

YELLOWSTONE: 3,120cfs  

Good flows and good fishing continues on the Yellowstone river making it the most consistent and reliable fishing resource in the area at the moment.  Sunny days they look up for hoppers, mayflies, and attractor patterns.  Cloudy days can bring out the green drakes and get the streamer bite going.  The pressure is being taken off the water with the start of bird hunting season so enjoy the elbow room on the river.

recommended dries: Morrish Hopper-tan, gold, pink, Chubby Chernobyl, Green Paradrake, Y's never sink trude-lime, purple parachute, JC special, foam hi-vis beetle, purple teaser

nymphs: Mega Prince, King Prince, olive soft hackle, red headed stepchild, blue spanker, silver spanker, copper john, twisted wire, sex fly

streamers: JJ's Special, Olive Bugger, new school muddler, Silveys Sculpin, McCune's Sculpin, Bow river bugger, copper zonker, black zonker

GALLATIN: 692cfs   

The Gallatin can be on fire these days with sporadic caddis hatches and maybe a few spruce moths in the morning up in the canyon.  The nymphing is outstanding and the streamers are a great bet as well.  For dry flies a hopper dropper rig is very productive on a sunny day or an ant and beetle combo.  Attractor patterns get a few hits in between hatches and work great as a dropper to Stonefly or hopper dry.  Clear and cool water gives you great fishing through the entire river.

recommended dries: More or less hopper, BA spent hopper, grand hopper red, never sink trude, royal wulff, parachute caddis, elk hair caddis-tan, royal trude, purple parachute, two tone ant, monster beetle

nymphs: iron sally, king prince, olive soft hackle, primetime pupa, copper john, Hare's ear, rubberlegs, mega prince, lil spanker pheseant tail, batman blue

streamers: wooly bugger, sculpzilla, pearl zonker, New school muddler, McCunes Sculpin

UPPER MADISON: 1,030cfs   

Good water clarity and a lot of smaller fish taken off the banks on attractor patterns with bigger fish hitting the hopper in the deep pockets close to middle of the river boulders.  Some good fish eating stone fly nymphs and the occasional stone dry.  The most popular float being from Lyons down with real skinny water closer to town so a raft is easier to navigate.  Great walk wading up around three dollar bridge area.  

recommended dries: Annes Mo Joe Golden, Chubby Chernobyl, Morrish Hopper, Wilcox Hopper, Dave's Hopper, purple caddis, purple teaser, royal wulff, never sink trude, glitter ant, para adams

nymphs: rubberlegs, mega prince, king prince, lime copper john, lil spanker PT, lil spanker silver, micro may, olive soft hackle, red-headed stepchild, iron sally, lightning bug

streamers: big gulp sculpin, JJ's Special, Wooly Bugger, Sculpzilla, Snapping craw, Copper zonker, McCunes Sculpin, flesh eating sculpin

LOWER MADISON: 1,420cfs  

Some big browns starting to move up the river donning nice orange suits and looking to eat big baitfish meals.  Sculpin, crayfish, and nymphs are working good and the earlier you get out there the better.  Fishing are looking up for hoppers and ants once the sun gets high during midday. a few sporadic caddis and mayfly hatches with evening being the best time to search for rising fish.  Anybody down for throwing mouse patterns after dark?

recommended dries: Chernobyl hopper, Morrish Hopper, purple caddis, purple teaser, monster beetle, hi-vis beetle, glitter ant, two tone ant, purple parachute, neversink trude

nymphs: red headed stepchild, blue spanker, PT flashback, red copper john, micro may, supa pupa bright green, yuba pupa olive, sex fly, san juan worm, zebra midge

Streamers: snapping craw, bow river bugger, big gulp sculpin, flesh eating sculpin, chickabou craw, sculpzilla, JJ's special, Hare fry, pearl zonker

MISSOURI: 6,110cfs  

Some cool weather fronts have slowed the hatches on the MO lately but have turned on the streamer bite.  On sunny days you can expect some fish to hit the hopper and a few golden stones.  Early in the day brings on the trico duns and then spinners around noon.  Some good caddis in the evening.  The nymphing remains consistent with the usual scuds, mayflies, and perhaps a dead drifted crayfish.  

recommended dries: bloom's para caddis, M's hopper, Wilcox VW hopper, royal wulff, trico spinner, quill body trico, annes mo joe golden, purple caddis, purple teaser, para adams

nymphs: red headed stepchild, micro may, flashback scud, pink sow bug, sex fly, tailwater tiny, copper john, supa pupa green, olive soft hackle

streamers: sculpzilla, flesh eating sculpin, new school muddler-tan

BIG HOLE: 410cfs    

Lots of awesome top water action for the Big Hole right now from Hoppers, small terrestrails to Spruce Moths.  Plenty of good water from Jerry creek down and more spruce moths up high.  Nocturnal stones are out as well so throw a chubby chernobyl early and late in the day.  A few tricos starting to show up as well so that is just around the corner.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl tan/gold, Morrish Hopper, More or Less Hopper, donkey kong hopper, lime trude, elk hair-tan, yellow stimulator, glitter ant, two tone ant

nymphs:lightning bug, iron sally, rubberlegs, muskrat stone, copper john, red headed stepchild, blue spanker

streamers: zonkers-any color, bow river bugger-rust, JJ's Special, crispy critter, big gulp, sculpzilla

What is our favorite dry fly?  That's a tough question but before I even have time to think about my mouth utters the word "HOPPERS" with a mischevious grin.  Yes it is hopper season and the trout are looking up for big chunks of terrrestrial protein from large rivers to small creeks alike.  The fishing is great right now.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 5,250cfs  

A great option right now for some awesome dries, nymphs, and streamer fishing.  The river's glacial green color is receding day by day so the clarity helps the fish keep an eye on the surface action.  Some big fish being taken on streamers and small nymphs but the top water action is great.  Lots of caddis, drakes, PMDs, and other terrestrials as well.  If the hatches are sparse throw an attractor pattern at them.

recommended dries: Morrish Hopper, Chernobyl Hopper, BA spent Hopper, chubby chernobyl, Y's never sink trude, Lime Trude, bloom's ant, glitter ant, royal wulff, purple parachute, purple caddis, X-caddis, brown drake

nymphs: red copper john, blue spanker, PT flash back, silveys primetime pupa, beadhead pupa, sparkle pupa, olive soft hackle, lightning bug, red headed stepchild

streamers: Olive Bugger, Bow River bugger, new school muddler, sculpzilla, big gulp, McCune's Sculpin, JJ's Special

GALLATIN RIVER: 854cfs  

Bozeman's closest local water is fishing outstanding with great nymphing on stonefly patterns and beadheads.  The spruce moths are here and have the fish looking up to a lot of dry fly action.  Hopper fishing is productive and even better with a dropper off the back.  In the evening try swinging a big sculpin through the deeper runs for big browns.

recommended dries: Lime trude, Elk Hair Caddis-tan, Royal trude, Yellow stimulator, Morrish Hopper, Dave's Hopper, parachute adams, glitter ant, monster beetle, hi-vis beetle

nymph: copper john, king prince, lightning bug, olive soft hackle, caddis sparkle pupa, double bead stone, mega prince, iron sally, hare's ear

streamers: wooly bugger, copper zonker, sculpzilla, new school muddler, flesh eating sculpin

UPPER MADISON: 1,080cfs  

Crystal clear water makes dry fly an awesome option on the Upper right now.  a lot of little fish close to the banks and bigger trout hanging close to middle of the river boulders.  Nymphing through the deeper pools and runs is very consistent and the streamer bite is hit or miss.  The lower water makes it a little difficult to get drift boats through the skinny water closer to Ennis but rafts should do just fine.

recommended dries: cicada, monster beetle, Morrish Hopper, chernobyl hopper, donkey kong hopper, dave's hopper, bloom's ant, glitter ant, low rider sally, purple parachute, purple caddis, Elk Hair Caddis-tan, X-caddis, never sink trude, chubby chernobyl

nymphs: red headed stepchild, slow guy, blue spanker, PT flashback, iron sally, mega prince, rubberlegs, double bead stone, olive soft hackle, primetime pupa, red copper john, bloody mary

streamers: copper zonker, pearl zonker, JJ's Special, McCune's Sculpin, Flesh Eating sculpin, bow river bugger, olive bugger, sculpzilla, new school muddler

LOWER MADISON: 1,550cfs  

The lower madison is a good option right now if you get out there early, like sunrise early.  Some big fish are really aggressive when the water is cool in the morning on streamers.  By 9am or 10am they will start looking up at hoppers and caddis.  Attractor patterns are a great bet all day long and a small trico dropper around 10am is a good hatch matcher.  The nymphing is consistent and late evening fishing is great as well.

recommended dries: chernobyl hopper, morrish hopper, dave's hopper, never sink trude, royal wulff, elk hair caddis, trico spinner, sparkle trico, purple parachute, parachute adams

nymphs: red headed stepchild, PT lil spanker, blue spanker, mega prince, king prince, tailwater tiny, micro may-olive, copper john

streamers: snapping craw, JJ's Special, Pearl Zonker, olive zonker, new school muddler, bow river bugger, wooly bugger, big gulp sculpin

MISSOURI RIVER: 6,020cfs  

Some big fish coming up to the hopper on the Missouri right now and it seems like no one hopper pattern or size is best.  Some are getting them on big ones some on small ones.  The key is really to get the fly in the right spot with the right presentation.  Some pods of fish are also rising to caddis, smaller terrestrials, and spinner falls.  

recommended dries: Morrish Hopper-tan/pink, donkey kong hopper, Barret's Hopper, Para Hopper, Wilcox VW special, never sink trude, trico spinner, purple caddis, X-caddis

nymph: tailwater tiny, bloom's soft hackle-brown/silver, micro may, flashback scud, sex fly, disco midge, pink soft hackle

streamers: wooly bugger, snapping craw, flesh eating sculpin, sculpzilla, big gulp, double bunny, JJ's Special, olive zonker

BIG HOLE: 537cfs   

Lots of awesome top water action for the Big Hole right now from Hoppers, small terrestrails to Spruce Moths.  Plenty of good water from Jerry creek down and more spruce moths up high.  Nocturnal stones are out as well so throw a chubby chernobyl early and late in the day.  A few tricos starting to show up as well so that is just around the corner.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl tan/gold, Morrish Hopper, More or Less Hopper, donkey kong hopper, lime trude, elk hair-tan, yellow stimulator, glitter ant, two tone ant

nymphs:lightning bug, iron sally, rubberlegs, muskrat stone, copper john, red headed stepchild, blue spanker

streamers: zonkers-any color, bow river bugger-rust, JJ's Special, crispy critter, big gulp, sculpzilla

It's august already and the fishing continues to have steady action.  A few reports coming in of catching fish on hoppers on a windy day but it's not exploded yet.  The Yellowstone is fishing however and that is a real sense of relief since it's been a long time coming.  The Madison is fishing well but mostly early in the day and into the magic hour of the evening.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 8,940cfs   

The stone is fishing great with nymphs and dead drifted streamers however you may have to sort through 30 whitefish to find the trout.  Best bet for catching trout right now would be to throw streamers, a double ugly rig with stonefly nymph, or throw dries.  Attractor and caddis patterns have taken a few nice trout tight to the bank and some cutthroats in the middle of the rive seams.  Rolling fast still so the average float will go by in much less time so a longer float is a good option.

recommended dries: fast water caddis, elk hair black, low rider sally, RB stimi yellow sally, Chubby Chernobyl, Annes Mo Joe Golden, Green Drake, royal wulff, y's never sink trude

nymphs: sparkle pupa, lil spanker blue, PT flashback, red headed stepchild, silveys pupa, iron sally, olive soft hackle, copper john, double bead stone, brown rubberlegs, king prince

Streamers: Olive flash bugger, Olive zonker, Bow River bugger, White zonker, sculpzilla, new school muddler, deer hair bugger

GALLATIN RIVER: 1,370cfs   

An amazing glacial green color the Gallatin is a great choice for walk wading right now.  Still a lot of water moving through so for dry flies a slow moving pocket or back eddy will be the best and early or late in the day is the way to go.  The Nymphing with rubberlegs and a beadhead is consistent especially with a lot of weight or heavy flies to get down deep.  Swing a streamer on a sink tip to dredge up some of the healthy browns.

recommended dries: Fast water Caddis, Blooms Caddis, Wilcox JC special, Royal wulff, Morrish Hopper, Parachute Adams, low rider sally, chubby chernobyl

nymphs: olive soft hackle, silveys primetime pupa, red copper john, rubberlegs, rock n roller stone, lightning bug, iron sally, king prince

streamers: sculpzilla jr., bow river bugger, white zonker, olive zonker, wooly bugger

UPPER MADISON: 1,400cfs   

Some real good fishing on dries, nymphs, and streamers going on the Upper stretch of the Madison recently.  The key lately has been the timing as in the river is fishing great from sunrise to about 2pm and then is sleeper until the late evening dry fly action around dusk.  Still most fish are hanging tight to the bank in troughs and inside seams.  Get a good drift keep mending and heads will come up.

recommended dries: chubby chernobyl, annes mo joe golden, Purple caddis, y's neversink trude-red, PMD transitional, PMD parachute, Purple parachute, low rider sally

nymphs: king prince, rubberlegs, lightning bug-gold, bloody mary, silvey's beadhead pupa, brown soft hackle, PT flashback, sparkle pupa, crackback PMD, primetime pupa

streamers: Bow river bugger, olive zonker, sculpzilla, new school muddler, crispy critter, big gulp

LOWER MADISON: 1,850cfs   

Back to a nice blue/green color with waving grass mats in the flat area the lower is in good shape.  Fishing is similar timing wise as the upper stretch with earlier the better for good fishing.  A lot of subsurface action for big lunkers with smaller fish hitting caddis close to the banks.  Late evening has been good for finding pods of fish under overhanging trees rising to dries or chasing a big sculpin imitation.  Fish the buckets in the grass mats for some good walk wading.

recommended dries: purple caddis, parachute adams, elk hair peacock, low rider sally, JC special

nymphs: lightning bug, beadhead pupa, tailwater tiny, copper john, bloody mary, king prince, lil spanker PT and blue, military may PMD, red headed stepchild, olive soft hackle, harrops soft hackle

streamers: bow river bugger, copper zonker, big gulp, white zonker, JJ's Special, sculpzilla, snapping craw, chickabou craw, wooly bugger, new school muddler, double bunny

MISSOURI RIVER: 6,270cfs  

Flows have dropped to allow some challenging Missouri style dry fly action.  It pays to have a well stocked fly box as trout can be feeding on different insects from spot to spot and feeding on different stages of insects ie: emergers, duns, spinners.  For a lot of fishermen this is the exciting challenge of matching the hatch for others it's a frustrating mess.  The nymphing has been great across the board so that helps to get the confidence up against choosey risers.  They will also eat streamers up on the MO swung, stripped, or dead drifted.

recommended dries: Para PMD, Bloom's Caddis, Purple Caddis, purple parachute, mahogany spinner, para-variant, royal wulff, PMD transtional, film critic PMD, elk hair caddis

nymphs: micro may, lightning bug, copper john, wire worm, double bead stone, PT flashback, tailwater tiny, lil spanker -blue/silver/PT, Hunchback scud, ray charles gray

streamers: flesh eating sculpin, sculpzilla, wooly bugger, Snapping craw

THE BIG HOLE: 1,140cfs   

Fishing is great on this unique tea stained river as the flows have dropped to a reasonable level.  The trout have moved back to the usual summertime water holding spots like riffles and tailouts.  Eating goldenstones and caddis pretty good on the surface, the nymphing awesome, the streamer bite is exciting when the clouds come out.  

recommended dries: film critic PMD, PMD transitional, Para PMD, Chubby chernobyl, PMX goldenstone, para adams, Bloom's caddis, purple caddis

nymphs: rubberleg, double bead stone, copper john, olive soft hackle, king prince, iron sally, lightning bug, caddis pupa, PMD crackback, red headed stepchild

Streamers: JJ's Special, sculpzilla, copper zonker, yellow yummy, big gulp, wooly bugger

More and more things are turning into an actual Montana summertime complete with dry flies and afternoon T-storms.  In short the fishing is seriously picking up and for a more in depth analysis here is what's been happening in our area.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 15,700cfs  

Still high and fast but steadily dropping every day.  Once it hits 12,000cfs you can usually float it if your confident on the oars but keep in mind the new channels and sweepers that may have formed since before runoff.  Right now if you can find slow moving pockets along the bank there are fish to be found but still difficult wading.  

GALLATIN RIVER: 2,410cfs   

Recently coming into a good fishable condition the Gallatin has a nice green color to it with a decent two feet of visibility.  People are getting into some great trout on nymphs and some amazing dry flies in the evening.  Still a little fast and the holes have definately changed since before the high water moved the river around.  

recommended dries: fast water Caddis, Elk Hair caddis-peacock, PMD transitional, Para. PMD, Brown Drake, royal wulff, never sink trude-red, black, lime

nymphs: lightning bug-gold, pearl, King Prince, Copper John, Bloody Mary, Red headed step child, Tungsten Yellow Sally, Iron Sally, Olive Soft hackle, Hot wire Caddis, Caddis Sparkle Pupa, Rubberlegs

Streamers: Sculpzilla, New School Muddler, Wooly Bugger black and Olive, Flesh Eating Sculpin

UPPER MADISON: 1,930cfs  

Some of Montana's best fishing is going on right now along the Upper Madison with plenty of top water action, streamer chasers, and steady nymphing.  It is getting a lot of pressure from many fishermen on almost every stretch but everyone seems happy and all are catching fish.  The water clarity is a good 2'-4' depending on where you are but the flow is moving fairly quick so experience on the oars is essential if your floating.  Plenty of good walk wade oppotunities are opening up though so it is pretty much game on no matter how you prefer to approach it.

recommended dries: Chubby chernobyl-tan and gold, Annes Mo Joe Golden Stone, Yellow Stimulator, Fast water caddis, Bloom's Caddis, Para. PMD, PMD Transitional, Low Rider Sally, Never sink sally, Never Sink Trude-red and black

nymphs: lightning bug-gold, iron sally, military may PMD, King Prince, Copper John, Double bead stone, rubberlegs, Muskrat Goldenstone, lil spaker-pheasant tail and blue

Streamers: Double Bunny, Morrish Sculpin-olive, Zonker-olive, white, and black, Wooly Bugger, Sculpzilla, Bow River Bugger, New School Muddler, Dali Lama

LOWER MADISON: 2,670cfs  

The wind has churned up Ennis lake in the last day or so which has given the Lower an off color low visibility, this should clear up in another day and be back to normal.  It's a lot of subsurface action right now on the lower Madison but it is hot fishing.  Some real nice fish are being caught on the crayfish, sculpin, and caddis or mayfly nymph patterns.  Early morning you can catch a decent caddis hatch with fish rising mostly tight to the bank with scattered top water action through midday.  Midday you can catch a good bikini emergence from their innertube shuck with a slightly innebriated spinner fall shortly thereafter.  Aside from that the fishing is just awesome on the lower right now.

recommended dries: fast water caddis, Elk hair-peacock, Purple Caddis, Brown Drake

nymphs: red headed stepchild, lil spaker-pheasant tail and blue, olive soft hackle, super pupa caddis, silveys beadhead caddis, copper john, King Prince, iron sally, lightning bug-gold

streamers: JJ's Special, Bow River Bugger, Copper Zonker, big gulp sculpin, sculpzilla, silvey's sculpin, Snappin craw, Chickabou craw

MISSOURI RIVER: 14,000cfs  

Finally the flows have dropped enough to get away from the bobber on the Mo right now, however the nymphing is still outstanding it is nice to see a few good fish coming to the surface.  The whole river is in great shape with folks hooking up all over so pick your favorite float and begin the search for big heads braking the surface.  Lots of caddis and PMDs around but be thinking of those species in all stages ie: emergers, adults, nymphs, and spinners.  For big flies the streamers are hot and cold but the crawfish bit is on.

recommended dries: bloom's caddis, slack water caddis, X Caddis, Purple Caddis, Purple Teaser, Primetime Caddis, Silveys Caddis Pupa, CDC Caddis Emerger, Para. PMD, PMD Transitional, Tilt wing PMD, Q's hackle stacker, Q's film critic PMD, crackback PMD, CDC PMD emerger

nymphs: Sparkle Pupa, lightning bug, copper john, micro may, military may PMD, red headed step child, tailwater tiny, ray charles, sowbug rainbow, fire bead scud

streamers: Hale Bopp Leech, flesh eating sculpin, sculpzilla, big gulp sculpin, pearl zonker, snapping craw, bottom bouncing craw, chickabou craw

BIG HOLE: 2,610cfs  

Some real good dry fly action in the late evenings with streamers still killing it throughout the day and of course nymphs are consistent.  After the spike last week the river is starting to come back in to good shape.  Still some good goldenstones flying around as well as some caddis and PMDs.

recommended dries: purple caddis, Bloom's caddis, X Caddis, Para PMD, tilt-wing PMD, PMD squeezer, chubby chernobyl, yellow stimulator, annes Mo Joe Golden stone, Royal PMX

nymphs: double bead hares ear, rubberlegs, copper john, olive soft hackle, hotwire caddis, red headed stepchild, crackback PMD, king prince, lightning bug gold, iron sally

streamers: Yellow Yummy, silvey's sculpin black, JJ's Special, Wooly Bugger black, copper zonker, Dali Lama, flesh eating sculpin

It is starting to really feel like an actual Montana summer complete with rising trout, clear rivers, sunny days and afternoon T-storms to cool you down.  The most interesting thing about this high water year has been the change in the insect hatches occuring about two weeks later than usual.  Perfect timing if you ask me, the hatches waited till we had some water clarity so the fish could see them and eat them.  The light at the end of the tunnel is here so now is the time to wet a line.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 22,000cfs

Still a little to high for comfort and definately not a floaters option unless your into white water rafting.  However we've seen the stone come down about 10,000cfs in the last week so if we have another week like that we're looking at floating up high by July 20th.  If you can find slower moving back eddies from shore you might find a few rising trout but we are so close to having our favorite freestone back in shape.  Can't wait to see the newly formed side channels from the runoff.

GALLATIN RIVER: 3,570cfs

Getting a nice olive/brown tinge to it the Gallatin is starting to look a bit nicer but still pretty fast so difficult walk wading.  It is possible to fish in slower pockets close to the banks and above the Taylor's Fork but it still is not our first choice right now.  Give it about a week at this rate and we should experience some clear dry fly oppurtunity, till then it's indicator fishing.

recommended flies: Prince nymph, Rubberlegs, sex fly, Rock n Roller stone, Lightning bug, copper John, Bloody Mary, Flash Bugger, Sculpzilla, San Juan red

UPPER MASDISON: 2,050cfs 

River clarity is a good two feet even at Ennis and just gets better the further upstream you go so pick your float cause it's fishing awesome pretty much the whole way.  The big fish are on the bite for big sculpins so the streamer option is reliable as is nymphing but as the hatches are pushed back about two weeks right now we have Salmon flies, Golden Stones, PMDs, and Caddis to choose from.  The walk wade stretch up by three dollar bridge is consistent and fishing well with caddis dries.

recommended flies: Olive zonker, Olive Bow River Bugger, Sculpzilla, king prince, iron sally, rubberlegs, Copper John, Military May PMD, lil spanker red, blue, and pheseant tail, Silvey's Beadhead pupa-tan

dries:Terranasty, Anne's Mo Joe Salmon, Egg layer Salmon, True Salmon fly, Anne's Mo Joe Golden Stone, Chubby Chernobyl-tan, PMX Stone Golden, Bloom's Caddis, Purple Caddis, Para PMD, PMD Transitional, Para Adams

LOWER MADISON: 3,940cfs   

Lot's of good subsurface action on the lower right now and still enough water to float over those big grass mats and fish the green shadows.  Some nice big browns hanging tight to the bank ready to attack a crayfish or sculpins so don't forget to search the slow pockets.  A lot of caddis coming off with a few opportunities for pods of rising fish but a much more consistent bet is the nymphs and streamers.  Also has become the summertime hangout for the pleasure cruise crowd which is fine it's there resource to.  If you get to the river before 9am your pretty much amongst other fishermen so wake up early and hit the morning hatch.

recommend flies: Copper zonker, Bow River Bugger, chickabou craw, Snapping Craw, Mini loop sculpin, JJ's Special, Yuk Bug, copper john, lil spanker blue, silvey's Beadhead pupa-tanb, silvey's primetime pupa, sparkle pupa, rubberlegs, purple caddis

MISSOURI RIVER: 16,700cfs 

Still some great nymphing to be had under a 12' leader with two BB's with a few good risers up on top starting to arrive.  Lot's of fish being taken on the emerger form of caddis and PMD flies.  You may have to seek out the dry fly action in little back eddies and below islands but those with patience and delicate presentation will be graciously awarded.  Lot's of fishermen in this neck of the woods but the entire river is pretty clear so pick your float and you might find some solace.

recommended flies: rainbow scud, red headed stepchild, military may, Crackback PMD, micro may, wire worm, I. E. D., tilt wing PMD, PMD Transitional, Griffith's Gnat, Purple Caddis, silvey's Primtime Pupa, Silvey's Beadhead Pupa

THE BIG HOLE: 3,790cfs  

Some awesom top water action on the Golden stones and Caddis mostly but there is always the PMDs and Mahoganies to look out for.  Great streamer fishing early in the morning with Olive, Black and of course Yellow.  The nymphing is as consistent as ever but with such good dry flies it is hard to watch the bobber, unless it's real windy like it occassionaly is on the Big Hole.  A great option right now.

recommended flies:JJ's Special, Yellow Yummy, Silvey's Sculpin-black, Olive Zonker, Crispy Critter, Big Gulp-olive, Hare's Ear, king prince, olive soft hackle, Military May PMD, red headed stepchild, Rubberlegs, iron sally, copper john-red, black

Some of the smaller creeks are starting to clear up and fish well and the Madison is offering some awesome fishing in the dirty water.  The heat gives us the cool clean high elevation snow melt we need to get the rivers in healthy shape.  The Yellowstone and Gallatin are still raging but should be fishable in another week or so.  

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 30,800cfs

 The stone is raging along it's high and muddy runoff path.  I would not recommend fishing it right now as today's rain have brought it up about another 1,000cfs since we checked it this morning.  A lot of guys are getting the sand bags ready in case it floods as bad as in 1997.  Should be an amazing late season over here and I'm guessing should be fishable by July 15th, just a guess.

GALLATIN RIVER: 5,900cfs

Still pretty high and fast with little visibility but some decent fishing can be had in slower moving pools and back eddies.  Difficult walk wading with the speed of the water but heavy nymph rigs with bright colored flies is the way to go.  The visibility increases a little above the Taylor's Fork but still the same bright nymph rig game.

recommended flies: sparkle worm, delektable worm pink, rubberlegs, red copper john, red egg, Bloody Mary, Wooly Bugger, Sculpzilla Jr.

UPPER MADISON: 3,140cfs