Opens June 15th.

Opens June 15th.

We're now just about a week into the 2008 fishing season and despite concerns about less than ideal conditions the Firehole did not dissapoint on the opener and continues to improve each day. PMD's are hatching later in the day with sporadic hatches of BWO's. White Miller's - the early season caddis, have started showing in the last few days. Hebgen Lake has been fishing very well in the past week also, but the Madison River has been fishing extremely well even with increased flows at the Hebgen Dam, currently at 1880 c.f.s. Cool days and cold nights haved slowed the spring runoff considerably but that will change quickly if 70 degree weather returns. This has been a much later Spring and may see many hatches occurring later than usual as a result.

Anglers have noticed PMD's hatching later in the day with sporadic BWO's and a few early season caddis showing up. The Firehole is still off color and high but within it's banks. Nez Perce Creek is high and dumping silt.

The best dries have been Tilt-Wing PMD's,the Extended Body PMD and Nyman's DOA PMD Cripple in 16's with the Almost Dun BWO #18-20, Hi-Viz BWO Parachute and Extended Body BWO in 18-20. Arrick's Foam Tan Caddis and a new pattern the Sedgehammer are our first choice for the White Miller (Nectopsyche sp.) that's becoming more active.

Soft Hackles continue to be very effective either on the swing or as a dropper off a dry. The best soft hackles are the BWO and PMD Soft Emerger in 16-20 and Pheasant Tail's or Peacock & Patridge in 14 and 16's.

Some of the largest fish in the Firehole will be caught in the next week on small woolly buggers and leech patterns. Be sure to have a few peacock buggers and B.H. Mini Leeches in black, olive and purple in 10 and 12.

Midges have been hatching quite heavily at times on Hebgen since the last of the ice came off just over a week ago. Fishing an Ice Cream Cone (#12-16) or V-Rib Chironomid (#14-18) under an indicator can very effective for slowly cruising fish, but the best technique is slowly stripping Seal Buggers on a slow sinking line. Floating lines are ideal for dries and chironomids under an indicator, but a clear intermediate sinking line is really essential for fishing stillwaters. These lines sink to a depth of 2-4 feet and is the depth that trout are feeding at on Hebgen at this time. The benefit of a slow sinking line is keeping the fly at a constant depth, something floating lines and sink tips can't.

Trout have been feeding on midges on the surface in the evenings as they cruise the shoreline but are wary so a longer leader is necessary. Arrick's Parachute Chironomid (#14-16)or our new Chironomid Cripple(#14)are good choices.

Rickard's Seal Buggers in Purple (#6-10) have been the top pick but black and olive are producing very well also. Ice Leeches in olive, black and rust (#8-12) also good bugger patterns to have in your box.

To accomodate the spring runoff PPL Montana has been increasing the amount of water being released at the Dam each day. The flow at the dam is now 1880 c.f.s and 2440 at Kirby Ranch. The West Fork of the Madison River continues to dump mud, however despite the increase in flows the fishing from the Slide to the West Fork has been excellent. Hitting the banks with streamers has produced some big fish, but nymphing is producing numbers of fish. In this higher, faster and off color water trout are not tippet or leader shy - use 2X. You'll land your catch quicker and lose less flies.

Big stonefly nymphs are the ticket as the point fly with a San Juan or Atomic worm as the hot dropper. However flashy droppers like Lightning Bugs, Copper Johns (in lime), Red-Headed Step Child and Crown Jewel's all in 12's and 14's.

Sculpin Leeches, Woolhead Sculpins and Crystal Buggers in olive have been the top producers, however peacock buggers and Cross-Eyed Zonkers in olive or white are also good bets.

Good to excellent reports continue from Henry's Lake. Christmas Trees (#6) have been a top producer trailed with Flashback Pheasant Tail's or Hare's Ear Nymphs (#14's)fished on slow sinking lines. Black and Gold Crystal Buggers (#6-10) in particular and Rickard's Seal Buggers(#6's) have also been producing some nice Cutts. Nine foot 3X leaders and tippet are the smallest size we recommend, however some anglers have reported using 4X sucessfully.

Still very high and dirty but clearing and dropping a little more each day. The best technique has been hitting the bank with streamers. There are much better choices at this time.

Completely blown - high, muddy and cold. Wait 'til early July.

Very high, dirty and flowing over it's banks in places, the Gibbon isn't even a good 2nd choice at this time. Go fish the Firehole.

Opens June 15th.

Opens July 15th.

Slough Creek will be the first to clear by late June - maybe. Soda Butte and the Lamar River will then follow by a good 10 days.