General Information

06/17/2007

While it's only mid-June, conditions would indicate that it's almost July. A combination of low water on most every river (the Madison most obviously), combined with our lack of any significant precipitation is bringing about scattered hatches of Salmonflies on the Fifty Mile Riffle with hatches not being concentrated in any one particular location. This won't be a banner year for the big bugs, but that shouldn't deter you from giving it a shot anyway. We're still probably roughly ten days away from the peak of the hatch, but concentrating your efforts on warm sunny afternoons may give you a fish or two to brag about. Hebgen lake is still less than 95% full, and that fact will partly dictate how PP&L Montana regulates outflow, still less than a measly 450 c.f.s. at the dam. Several days of heavy rain is desperately needed. Golden stones have however, been more reliable and consistent recently and shouldn't be ignored for the more celebrated salmonfly. Remember to use 1X or 2X for these big dries as fish keying on them are not tippet shy.

The Firehole

06/17/2007

The Firehole continues to keep anglers happy. Caddis hatches are prolific and abundant, but fish are getting picky at this point with presentation especially for the dry fly enthusiast. Mid-day hours will be tough, so swinging soft hackles like a #16 or 14 Peacock and Partridge or Bloom's Soft Hackle in Olive will be the most effective wet fly technique to use. Evening caddis hatches are going strong to the point where it will be very tough to compete with so many naturals. Downsizing tippet to 5X, lengthening your leader a bit and using a stealthy approach will absolutely be required.
Arricks's Foam Tan Caddis in #16 continues to be our most popular pick for Hydropysche and we are hearing many good results from anglers using this pattern. CDC Elk Hair Caddis in tan #14 and 16 are also excellent secondary picks as well as tan Iris caddis and X2 Caddis in the same sizes. Tan Paraslick Caddis and Tan Ethawing Caddis in #14 and 16 are worth trying also as they are new patterns in our bins. Nectopsyche caddis (White Millers) are also being seen in heavy numbers. The most effective pattern we carry is our Aquatic Moth Emerger in #16.
Any combination of rain, sleet or cool cloudy days means one thing: PMD's and Baetis. The Firehole PMD hatch is starting to wane but keep your eye out for these hatches when conditions are right. Our top PMD patterns are a #14 and 16 Hackle Wing, with the Tilt-Wing and Biot Body CDC PMD in the same sizes as the most reliable patterns. Top picks for Baetis sp. are CDC Biot Body BWO #18-22, Hackle Wing BWO 18-22 and Paracripple #16-18.

The best droppers have been Bloom's PMD Nymph #14-16, BeerHead Baetis #16-20, Brown Micro Mayfly #16-18, PMD Mighty May #16 and Tak's Rusty PMD Emerger in #18-20, while BWO Soft Emerger or PMD Soft Emerger are ideal for soft hackle fans.

The Gibbon

06/17/2007

While it never receives the attention the Firehole does, the Gibbon is fishing very well at this time. General attractor patterns like Super Royal Wulffs #10-12, Parachute Yellow Humpies and Royal Humpies in #14-16, Lime or Royal Parachute Madam X's #12-14 and #12-14 Rubber Legged Crystal Stimulators will yield the best results. Dropping a beadhead like #16 Dressed Down Caddis, B.H. Superflash #14-18 and Bubblebacks #16-20 or Brown Military Mayfly #14-16 off your dry fly will up your odds significantly. Smaller streamers like #12 Mini Lite Leeches in Black, Brown and Olive are also working well.

The Madison in Yellowstone

06/17/2007

Expect the same hatches on the Madison as the Firehole but not with the same intensity with the exception of caddis. Evening caddis hatches have been very strong. The same patterns that are working on the Firehole are also working here. Tan Paraslick Caddis #14-16, Tan Etha-Wing Caddis #12-14, CDC Elk Hair in Brown or Tan #14-16 and Headlight Caddis #16 are all effective choices. Riverside Drive is a good choice to take beginning anglers in the evening hours and swing soft hackles like Bloom's in olive or brown #14 or Peacock and Partridge #14.

The Gallatin

06/17/2007

Having cleared from all recent runoff with the minor exception of the Taylor's Fork, the Gallatin is in prime condition within the park limits to the Taylor's Fork. Expect to see Salmonflies but not for a good ten days to 2 weeks. Afternoons are better than mornings as the Gallatin is an extremely cold river. Expect to see reliable hatches of PMD's under the right conditions, so having a few Tilt-wing and Hackle Wing PMD's in #14-16 in your box is a safe bet.
When no hatches are occuring nymphing is the most reliable technique on the Gallatin, with a our #6 Realistic Golden Stone, #8 Kaufmann Stone in gold or a #12 or 10 Black Rubber Legs as the point fly and #14 Yellow Superflash, #12-14 Tan Montana Prince, #16 Tan Pulsating Caddis or #14-16 Little Amber Stone as the dropper you'll stick fish consistently.

Yellowstone Lake

06/17/2007

Opened on Friday the 15th. We've not received any reports on how this massive, extremely cold, clear and deep lake is fishing just yet. But in order to fish any lake effectively with a fly rod sinking lines are an absolute must. (We have a broad selection to choose from in both S.A. and Rio) Rickards' Seal Buggers, B.H. California Leeches in #8-10 and Ice Leeches are all excellent streamer choices.

Yellowstone River

06/17/2007

Opens July 15th.

Slough/Lamar

06/17/2007

Although it's still off color and cold, it is fishable with nymphs or streamers but if you can wait 2 weeks it's worth the wait. There are many better choices at this time.

Hebgen Lake

06/17/2007

Despite some cooler weather, midge hatches slowed considerably but the fishing did not. We've received good to very good reports from anglers fishing Hebgen this past week using #6-10 Rickards' Seal Buggers in Black/Wine, Olive/Orange and Brown. Crystal Buggers in Black with Gold Flake is one of the better patterns to have in your box. If "bobber" fishing with a chironomid is your thing, #12-16 Ice Cream Cones and B.H. Chironomids in olive, black and red are important to have on the end of your tippet.

The Madison (below Quake)

06/17/2007

Strong caddis hatches especially in the evenings are making the Madison a destination for all anglers, especially for those anglers who prefer fishing dries. A size 16 X2 caddis in tan, tan #16 Elk Hair, #16 tan Para Slick Caddis and Etha-Wing Caddis in #16 will cover you well. A good selection of bead head droppers includes Montana Princes in olive, X-mas, and black #12-14, the Fly Known as Prince #14 and #16 Dress Down Caddis. The fabled Salmon fly has been reported as far a Ruby at this time. Essential "big bug" dries include: Arrick's Bitchin' Salmonfly #4-6, #4 Carnage Salmonfly and #4 King Kong Salmonfly. During the brightest stretches of the day chucking big streamers might just give you bragging rights. Arricks' #4 Bitchin Bugger, #6 Cone Head Bitchin' Bugger, #2 White Cross-Eyed Zonker or #4 Whitlock's Hare Sculpin are all equally effective choices. The best choices in golden stone dry patterns are: BLT Golden #8-10, King Kong Golden # 10, Godzilla Golden #10, Flush Floater Golden #8.

Henry's Lake

06/17/2007

Strong winds have roiled the waters of this gorgeous lake in the last week slowing fishing down noticeably. Conditions are tough but early and late are your best options right now. Congrats to Ed Ortiz who caught an 8 pound Cutbow on June 15th. Lake anglers are employing several techniques, with trolling being the most productive. In order to fish Henry's Lake with flies effectively sinking lines are absolutely essential and we have several from both Scientific Anglers and Rio. Hanging chironomids under an indicator, stripping a #10 Mity Mouse, #10-12 Halfback or Purple Showgirl has also accounted for several nice fish.

The Firehole

06/06/2007

Strong hatches of caddis are making for plentiful opportunites for the dry fly purist, however there's really no need to get an extra early start as most caddis won't heavily emerge until the warmth of the afternoon. Arrrick's Foam Tan Caddis is still out top pick for Hydropsyche, while CDC Elk Hair, Paraslick Caddis, X2 Caddis, Iris Caddis and Headlight Caddis in tan are also effective choices.
Pale Morning Duns are still hatching in plentiful numbers by late morning but will hatch along with Blue Wing Olives more heavily under the cover of rain, sleet or snow and are best imitated using PMD Parachutes, Extended Body PMD's and CDC PMD Comparaduns in #16 and #14, while CDC Biot Comparaduns,  Hackle Wings, Extended Body BWO's and Baetis Paracripples are top picks for Baetis sp. in #16 and #18.
Between hatches and just prior to them, soft hackles continues to be your best bet. Peacock and Partridge will cover Brachycentrus  and other caddis sp., while Pheasant Tail and PMD Soft Emergers are the best choices for Mayflies. If you'd rather fish streamers Mini Lite Leeches work well.

The Gibbon

06/06/2007

Below the falls the Gibbon is now in fine shape for fishing small to medium attractor flies. Super Royal Wulffs #14-16, Royal Wulff's #12-16, Para Royal Humpies #14-16, Stimulators #12-14 and Royal Goofus #14-16 are best bets. Effective droppers include Peacock Anato-Mays, Peacock Little Mays #16, Yellow Lite Bright Princes #12-16, Gold Dust #14-16 and Peacock Anato-Mays in #16. Mini Lite Leeches in brown, olive and black # 12 are the better streamer choices.

The Madison in Yellowstone

06/06/2007

Flows on the Madison in the park are very clear and low, with emergences of PMD's and Baetis in enough numbers to fish dries like PMD Parachutes #14-16, Sparkle Duns #14-16, Tilt-Wing's in #14-16 and Hackle Wing's in #14-16. With wamer days forecast for the this coming week expect to start seeing caddis in stronger numbers. Larger Soft Hackles like Bloom's in olive or brown #12-14, Crystal Soft Hackle in olive #10-12, and Bead Head Pheasant Tail #10-14 are the best. Warmer days will start moving stonefly nymphs around more so be sure to include a few like Kaufmann's Rubber Legged Black Stone #4-8.

The Gallatin

06/06/2007

While the Gallatin is still very cold it has cleared considerably in the last several days and is fishable with nymphing being the preferred technique. Stonefly nymphs in smaller sizes like Black rubber legs in #10, Kaufmann's Gold Stone and Glimmer Stones in #8 will cover the bases, for the nymph fisher. For a dropper, Yellow Superflash #16, Yellow Lite Brite Price #14 and Little Amber Stone #12 are worth trying.

Hebgen Lake

06/06/2007

Cooler weather and wind has slowed the fishing considerably within the last week. Hebgen is currently at close to 90% capacity but with expected rain this week, would help a great deal. Midges are still hatching but not with the same intensity as in previous weeks. Fishing chironomids under an indicator or slowly stripping streamers will be the more productive methods. Patterns to have include: B.H. Black and Gold Crystal Buggers #8-10, Rickard's Seal Buggers in Black and Wine also Olive and Orange #8-10. Essential chironomids are: B.H. Chironomids in black, #16 Red Headed Step Child, Ice Cream Cones #12-16

Madison River

06/06/2007

The Fifty mile riffle is in fine shape even if a bit low. With flows at Hebgen dam of under 420 c.f.s., look for the deepest water possible. Caddis hatches are more prolific than Baetis so #14-18 green B.H. Caddis Pupa, #12-14 Lime Hotwire Caddis and Kyle's Killer Caddis in #16 are your best bets as a dropper. Nymphing will be the most productive way to fish at this time using a #6 Black or Brown Realistic Stone, #6 B.H. Prince or #6 Olive brown Rubber Legs. Best bets in streamers are #4 Rock Knocker Sculpins, #4 Olive Sculpin Leeches and #6 Flash Fry.

Soda Butte/Lamar/Slough

06/06/2007

Still off color but are clearing, just too cold for dependable hatches. Wait 2-3 weeks for warmer water temps. and reliable Baetis hatches to occur. Keep in mind that the Lamar muddies easily, so call us or stop by the shop before making the trek for up to date conditions.

Gardner River

06/06/2007

At this time the Gardner River is high and off color but it is fishable with stonefly nymphs like Black and Orange Rubber Legs in #6-8 with small flashy bead head droppers like #16 Lite Brite Princes in yellow, and #14-18 silver or gold Lightning Bugs.

Grebe Lake

06/06/2007

An easy 3 mile level hike, Grebe Lake is a good option for those seeking out Grayling. We've had a couple reports this past week, but don't forget the Bear Spray as this is Backcountry travel. A float tube is useful, but not absolutely necessary. Effective flies are #14 B.H. Peacock Angel Hair, #10 Purple B.H. Crystal Buggers and #10 B.H. Olive Mohair Leeches.

The Upper Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake

06/06/2007

Opens on June 15th.

Lewis Lake

06/06/2007

At 2700 acres, this is one of the few lakes in Yellowstone that's easily accessible and currently available for the stillwater angler. While you can fish Lewis from shore, a boat or float tube is a real advantage to covering water. Recommended streamers include #2 white Cross-Eye Zonker, #4 white Conehead Madonna, #2 Conehead Kiwi and #6 olive Flash Fry.

Henry's Lake

06/06/2007

We are continuing to hear of excellent catches on Henry's Lake. Extreme winds last week made fishing all but impossible and held even the most eager anglers at bay. John Schultz currently holds this season's big fish - a 16 and a half pound Cutbow on a Mity Mouse on the opener. Hot Flies are of course... #10 Mity Mouse, Halfbacks in #8-12 and #6-8 Purple Showgirls. We've also had some anglers stop the shop by that did very well trolling #4 Woolhead Sculpins on Type 4 and 6 full sinking lines. Keep in mind that sinking lines are an absolute must to fish Henry's Lake effectively and we carry a large assortment in both Rio and Scientific anglers.

Henry's Fork

06/06/2007

Harriman State Park opens on June 15th. The Box Canyon is where you should concentrate your efforts, which opened this past saturday and was very good initially but slowed with some cooler weather. Salmon flies were popping along with caddis. Arrick's Bitchin' Salmonfly in size 6 is a great pattern to have as well as Elk Hairs, Iris Caddis and X-Caddis in sizes #14-16.

Gardiner River, Yellowstone

5/30/07

Thanks to: Brian Mileshosky

Gardner river from the Boiling river parking area to Boiling river itself was fast and off-color, but fishing with an attractor within 2-3 feet of the banks and under foliage produced many trout (avg 8 inches). Fished at around noontime.

General Information

05/27/2007

With the Yellowstone National Park fishing season officially underway, anglers now have lots of opportunities to wet a line and enjoy some gorgeous scenery to boot. Our annual snow pack was less than ideal this past winter, and in conjunction with some exceptionally warm weather for the last several weeks is providing for clearer and lower flows than what is usually expected.

The Firehole

05/27/2007

A perennial favorite, the Firehole was in in great shape for the opener yesterday with the PMD's, midges and caddis abundant. Expect to see more caddis than baetis under the warm and sunny conditions we've been experiencing the last several days, however PMD's will still come off around 10-11 a.m., with a tan almost white caddis (Hydropsyche) that is predominant on warm afternoons. Brachycentrus are also being seen in numbers and are no less important.

Essential patterns include #14 and #16 Extended Body PMD's, #16 CDC PMD Comparaduns, Sparkle Dun PMD's and Tilt Wing PMD Duns in 14's and 16's.
Must have caddis patterns are Arricks's #14 Foam Tan Caddis, #14 CDC Elk Hair Tan Caddis, also #16 Iris Caddis and #16 Headlight Tan Caddis and #16 X2 caddis in tan.

If you like fishing dry/dropper combo's #16 Micro Mayflies in brown, #16 Angel Case PMD's and #16 Anato-May's in olive along with #14 and #16 Emergent Sparkle Pupas in tan, #16 B.H. Poopah's in olive and B.H. Caddis Pupa in tan #16's are hard to beat as a dropper.

For the Soft Hackle addict #14 and #16 Peacock and Partridge will cover your caddis species while #14 and #16 Pheasant Tail's will imitate Baetis sp. and work all day long but are especially productive between hatches. If fishing streamers is your game, B.H. Mini Lite Leeches in black, olive and peacock #12 will also work well. Soft hackles are a great way to start out beginning anglers and kids.

The Gibbon

05/27/2007

While the Gibbon doesn't receive the attention that the Firehole does, it still will spit out some respectable fish for those anglers who like to get away from the crowds. Many stretches of the Gibbon below the falls are thin water so concentrate on deeper holes and runs with light nymphing rigs.

B.H. Prince's in #8 and #10 are excellent as the point fly with small flashy beadheads like #16 Lightening Bugs in silver or gold and Copper John's in red, lime and copper as the dropper.

The Madison in the Park

05/27/2007

From the confluence down to Riverside drive many of the same hatches will occur as on the Firehole, expect some slightly larger fish but not in the same numbers as the Firehole. Use the same patterns as suggested for the Firehole in this stretch. There are still some holdover spawners from the fall in the Barns Holes and stripping streamers like B.H. Crystal Buggers and weighting Crystal Soft Hackles in red and orange might just be the ticket to sticking your first hog of the season.

Yellowstone Lake

05/27/2007

Closed until the 15th of June.

The Upper Yellowstone

05/27/2007

Closed until the 15th of July.

The Gallatin

05/27/2007

Not our first choice, the Gallatin is running very cold and a bit off color. Fish it only if you must but there are better choices available. Within another ten days or so it should be in fine shape but at this time nymphing will be the most productive. Try #8 and #10 B.H. Prince nymphs, #12 Little Amber Stone, #10 Girdle Bugs and Lite Bright Price Nymphs in #12.

Hebgen Lake

05/27/2007

Midges have been coming off like gangbusters only slowing down slightly on cooler days. If fishing on top is your game #14 Parachute Adams, Arrick's Parachute Chironomid and Griffith's Gnat's will fill the bill. Bobbing chronomids under an indicator like #12 B.H. Chironomids, #16-#20 Zebra Midges and Ice Cream Cones in #12-16 are sometimes equally effective.

The best streamers have been Ice Leeches in olive, rusty brown and UV black, while Rickard's Seal Buggers in #6 olive and orange, Halloween and black and wine are also good bets. There have also been reports of some early season Callibaetis.

The Madison

05/27/2007

With low flows at the Dam (under 500 c.f.s), the Madison is our top pick outside of the Park at this time for moving water. You will do well no matter what your preferred technique is, however nymphing will still generally be the way to go. Good choices include #4 and #6 Olive and brown rubber legs, B.H. Princes in #6 and #8, #4 and #6 Coffee and black rubber legs with San Juans, Copper Johns, B.H. Pheasant Tails and Zebra Midges for a trailer. Streamers should include Woolhead Sculpins and Flash-A-Buggers in 2's and 4's.

Henry's Lake

05/27/2007

The Idaho season opener did not dissapoint on Henry's Lake this year. We've had several customers report fish to 16 pounds and the fishing on Henry's Lake looks to be nothing less than excellent this season. Recent fish survey's have revealed lots of big cutbows and more importantly a Brook trout population on the rebound with several fish surveyed at 4 pounds. Sinking lines are a must and we have many to choose from in Scientific Anglers and Rio. Productive patterns at this time include: Halfbacks in #10 and #12, Showgirls, Halloween Seal Buggers and Ice Leeches in rusty brown, UV purple and olive.

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