It's always a rare thing when the Firehole is still fishing well this far into July, but that's the benefit of having such an enormous snow pack. PMD's are waning in numbers but they're still hatching in the morning hours while caddis (Nectopsyche, Cheumatopsyche and Hydropsyche) are hatching heavily in the afternoons through the evening hours. Rusty spinners are so prevalent in the later evening hours be sure to have a few spinners in your box also. At this point these fish have seen it all. Presentation is now more important than even 10 days ago. Lengthening up your leader and dropping to 5X or 6X is now necessary. Soft Hackles are still your best bet, producing the most consistently between hatches and just prior to them.

PMD's: Tilt-Wing 16, Hackle Wing 16, Extended Body 16

Rusty Spinners: 16

Caddis: Tan Iris and Tan X-Caddis 16, Arrick's Tan Foam Caddis 16, SedgeHammer 16

Soft Hackles: Peacock and Partridge 14-16, Pheasant Tail 14-16

The Madison in the Park has really shaped up nicely in the last 10 days. The water has completely cleared and is full to it's banks making wading comfortable with stable flows. There's plenty of smooth water below Seven Mile Bridge for fishing dries with PMD's hatching under the cover of a cloudy morning - rare at this time of the year. Olive spinners have been seen in the mornings with rusty spinners in the evenings before dark. But caddis have been hatching heavily enough to provide the most consistent dry fly action, most notably in the afternoons and evenings The faster stretches of the Madison should fish well through out the day, with nymphs or streamers.

Caddis: Tan Elk Hair, X and Iris Caddis 14-16, Arrick's Foam Tan Caddis 14-16

PMD's: Tilt-Wing 16, Hackle Wing 16, Extended Body 16

Streamers: Flash Fry 6, Cross-Eyed Zonkers 4-6

Spinners: Rusty 14-16

Below the Gibbon River Falls the rainbows and browns have been rising to dries reliably in the last week. Caddis patterns (Elk Hairs, Iris and X-Caddis) have been working very well during caddis hatches while general attractor patterns are better for prospecting likely looking water. Add a beadhead nymph or emerger behind a dry for more selective fish. The Gibbon Canyon is also a good option in it's faster stretches with nymphs. Most fish in the Canyon are around 10 inches but some larger fish to 16 inches have been reported so far this year, no doubt the result of more water than the Canyon has had many years. If it's a big brown you're after concentrate on the meadow stretches below Norris. Much of this is flat technical water, so presentation is especially important.

Dries: Tan Elk Hairs, Iris and X-Caddis 14-16, Arrick's Foam Tan Caddis 14-16, Royal Wulffs and Stimulators 10-14

Nymphs: B.H. Prince 12-16, Super Pupa 14-16 in olive, amber or green, Copper John's 16-18 in black, red or green

The Gallatin is slowly shaping up and fishing in the Park stretches with nymphs, but still a week or more away from consistent fishing with dries.

Nymphs: Sili Legs 8-10, B.H. Prince Nymph 10-14

Droppers: San Juans, Superflash, Crown Jewel or Red Headed Step Child 14-18

Slough Creek is only worth fishing if you absolutely can't wait another week. In the first meadow (still quite squishy) Gray Drakes and PMD's are hatching but very sparsely. It's still high, green and cold. Be prepared for some vicious mosquitoes and biting flies with some industrial strength bug dope and a head net.

Soda Butte will be the first to clear and the Lamar should be clear within (hopefully) the next two weeks barring any further rain.

As water temperatures increase in the next several weeks watch for hatches of PMD's and Callibaetis mayflies. But until then Seal Buggers, Halfbacks and Peacock Buggers on clear intermediate or Type II sinking lines will be your best bet. If using a float tube, think carefully about wind direction and having on a life preserver. This enormous icy lake can turn very nasty very quickly.

Opens five days from now, July 15th. Keep in mind that the first mile from the Fishing Bridge downstream toward Canyon is closed as is the quarter mile upstream toward Yellowstone Lake.

There have been a few reports of some early season Callibaetis on Hebgen (which is now at 100% capacity), but they are sparse in numbers. You are better off fishing Gold and Black unweighted buggers with chironmids dropped off the back on clear intermediate or Type II lines. The Madison Arm and Rumbaugh Bay in particular have started to produce some bragging size 'bows and brows in the last week. Clear intermediate and Type II sinking lines continue to be more productive than floating lines for numbers of fish.

Buggers: Seal, Peacock and Black & Gold

Chironomids: Black or red B.H. Holographic