NUCLEAR SUMMER PART II

JULY 23, 2007

Drought conditions continue to dominate Yellowstone Country forcing Yellowstone Park Officials to institute mandatory fishing closures on most rivers in the park. The updated advisory has now restricted fishing to the hours of 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. only. However, don't let this discourage you from fishing in Yellowstone Park, there is still plenty of fishable water - most notably the lakes in the park and backcountry streams. To read this updated advisory in its entirety: www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/0739.htm. We suggest giving area lakes your best efforts, with strong hatches of Callibaetis mayflies on both Hebgen and Quake lakes, the gulper fishing is now on. The lack of rain combined with hot cloudless days had brought on August conditions with anglers reporting ants, beetles and hoppers being effective everywhere they're fished.

The Gallatin

JULY 23, 2007

The Gallatin's brisk water temperature makes this one of the few rivers not only in Yellowstone Park but also in Montana to not have any major restrictions placed on it. PMD's have been hatching in the morning hours with caddis in the afternoons and evenings. Having a few Green Drake patterns in your box is also a safe bet. General attractor patterns will work well in the absence of any noticeable emergences, but matching a hatch is always your best bet. Hoppers, ants and beetles are also working well. With these hot, dry days late summer conditions have already arrived. Keep in mind that your Park license in only valid to mile marker 31.

Caddis: size 14-16 tan Para-Slick, CDC Elk Hair brown or tan 14-16, tan Etha-Wing Caddis 14, X2 and Iris caddis 14-18.
Hoppers: Stimpson's Klodhopper 8-10, Grand Hopper and Carnage Hopper 10-14.
Beetles / Ants: Arrick's Ice Beetle 12-14 / Parachute Ants - Cinnamon, Black 12-16
Attractors: Super Royal Wulffs 10-12, Royal Humpies 14-16, Lime PMX's and Rubber Legged Crystal Stimulators 12-14.
PMD's: Hackle Wing's and PMD's 14-18

Slough/Lamar/Soda Butte

JULY 23, 2007

The Lamar is known for becoming roiled easily with the slightest drop of rain. Which means you don't have to worry too much about making the drive. While the Lamar is under the mandatory closure below Cache Creek, hiking to Cache or above allows you to fish the Lamar throughout the afternoon and evening. Just be sure to carry a day pack with lots of water and a bite to eat. We've received some very good to excellent reports in the last week from anglers willing to walk. Soda Butte is also fishing well in the morning hours with water temps in the high 50's although using a stream thermometer is now a very good idea to insure fish survival. If fishing Soda Butte in the afternoon, do so above Ice Box Canyon - this stretch is not under the current advisory. The weather forecast is predicting possible rain this coming week which will muddy the Lamar but cool water temps. Terrestrial patterns are working well here also.

Caddis: CDC Elk Hair brown or tan 14-18, tan Etha-Wing Caddis 16, Dress Down Caddis 16 and X-Caddis 14-16 tan, brown and olive Streamers: Cross-Eyed Zonkers 4-8, Crystal Buggers 6-10 olive or black and white Conehead Madonna 4 Attractors: Rubber Legged Crystal Stimulators 12-14, Royal PMX's 12-14, Humpies 12-16 Hoppers: Carnage Hopper 10-14, Klodhopper 8-10 and Grand Hopper 10-14

The Yellowstone

JULY 23, 2007

We received a couple of dismal reports on opening day, but some better ones since then. Expect to work for the fish you catch, with runs that once held a hundred fish may now have only a dozen or less...but they may be 20 inches or better. Hatches of PMD's, Green Drakes and Gray Drakes have been occurring with some caddis also showing up. Be sure to have some Green and Gray Drake Spinner patterns with you as fish have been keying on them specifically at certain times. You may also want to lengthen up your leader a bit and make your presentation count especially, you may only have one shot at one of these gorgeous brutes. Get it while you can, the Yellowstone above the falls has not yet been placed under the current restrictions giving you all day to enjoy one of the most beautiful rivers in the world.

Green Drakes: Green Drake Parachute 10-12, Green Drake Wulff 10-14, Green ParaDrake 12-14 and G.D. Organza Spinner 12-14
Caddis: CDC Elk Hair 14-16 tan, brown & olive, tan Etha-Wing Caddis 14, Iris Caddis 14-18 tan, brown & olive
PMD's: Hi-Viz Parachute 14-18, Hackle Wing PMD's 14-16, PMD Para Cripple 16
Gray Drakes: G.D. Wulff 10-14, Gray ParaDrake 10-12, Gray Drake Spinner 10-14
Hoppers: Parachute Hopper 10-14 tan or olive
Beetles: Arrick's Ice Beetle 12-14
Ants: cinnamon/black parachutes 12-16

Hebgen Lake

JULY 23, 2007

Callibaetis and tricos are hatching in sizeable numbers and being gulped as a result. Keep your leaders long:12-15' and no less than 5X for dries. But when the wind kicks up which it inevitably does, don't let it end your day. By switching over to clear intermediate lines (1.5"/sec) fishing small callibaetis or pheasant tail nymphs over weed beds will yield some surprises. Twitching Ice Cream Cones under an indicator will also bring a few fish to the net.

Callibaetis: Tilt-Wing Callibaetis 14-16, Almost Dun Callibaetis 16, Callibaetis Parachute 16 also CDC Callibaetis Spinner
Tricos: Stalcups Trico 22, CDC Trico Spinner 22, Trico Organza Spinner 22
Chronomids: Ice Cream Cones 12-16 red and pheasant tail
Nymphs: Poxyback Callibaetis 16-18, Pheasant Tails 16-18 and Rickard's Callibaetis Nymph 16-18

Quake Lake

JULY 23, 2007

Callibaetis are also hatching during the morning hours on Quake also. Use the same dry patterns as on Hebgen but if ripping some big lips is what you want, then ignore the gulpers and fish BIG streamers on type II & III lines with 6 - 7 weight rods, and no less than 2x tippet. Expect to lose some flies in this snag infested lake but by using heavier tippet less flies will be lost and fish will be fought in a shorter time.

Callibaetis: (same as Hebgen)
Streamers: size 6 Flash Fry in olive or platte river, Articulated Fat Head 4 white, yellow or olive, Seal Buggers size 6 olive/orange and halloween

The Madison (below Quake)

JULY 23, 2007

Despite fluctuating water levels hatches of Epeorus, caddis and some Green Drakes are making for memorable days and evenings on the Madison. Green Drake hatches have been a bit spotty, but when they pop expect to see some of the larger fish feed on top. Epeorus mayfly hatches have been consistent with caddis hatches strong and dependable as usual. Nymphing is more effective than pitching dries during the heat of the day, with increased flows to 1800 c.f.s. water depth has increased noticeably. Avoid nymphing too late in the day or you will miss the chance to fish on top with so many caddis, mayfly duns and spinners abundant.

Caddis: CDC Elk Hair 14-16 brown, tan and peacock, Etha-Wing 16 tan, X2 caddis tan, brown and olive 16
Green Drakes: G.D. Wulff 10-14, G.D. Parachute 10-12
Hoppers: Klodhopper 8-10, Parachute Hopper 8-14 tan, yellow or olive, Grand Hopper 8-14
Beetles: Arrick's Ice Beetle 12-14
Ants: Parachute cinnamon, black 14-16
Bead Heads: PMD Superflash 14-18, Gold Lightning Bugs 16-20, Lite Brite Prince's 12-14

Henry's Lake

JULY 23, 2007

A few Henry's Lake anglers have stopped by the shop, reporting having caught some real hogs (with pictures for proof) while others are have nothing to show for their efforts, but to fish any lake effectively sinking lines are absolutely necessary to consistently catch fish. Trolling Woolhead sculpins on type IV and IV lines has accounted for some cutbows in the 10 pound range. Scuds and damsel nymphs are also abundant now and fish are keying on them heavily at times. The Henry's Lake Renegade has also been a sought after pattern for Henry's Lake locals.

Woolhead Sculpins: black, olive 2-6 also Sculpin Leeches size 4 black or olive
Seal Buggers: size 6 - 10 olive/orange, black/wine and halloween
Purple Showgirl: size 6 - 8
Halfback: 8-12
Scuds: Pregnant Olive Scud 12, Crystal Scuds in olive, tan and copper also orange scud 12-14
Damsel nymphs: Rapunzel damsel 12 tan or olive Henry's Lake Renegade: size 12-14

Henry's Fork (Box Canyon)

JULY 23, 2007

Flows on the Box have been running around 1650 c.f.s. making wading difficult but fishing excellent. Zonkers have accounted for several fish in the 20 inch range while lots of smaller fish (10 -14") are plentiful. Golden Stones have also been seen fluttering on warm afternoons. A double nymph rig will be the most effective day in and out.

Nymphs: size 6 - 8 brown/black, brown/orange and black rubberlegs also doublebeaded Prince's 8-14
Golden Stones: Olive Stimulators 10-12, BLT Golden 8-10 and Realistic Adult Golden size 8
Zonkers: Olive or White Cross Eyed 4-8
Droppers: Olive Serendipities 16, Zebra Midges 16-20 and Pheasant Tails 14-18