Madison below Hebgen: On August 31st flows out of Hebgen went from 800cfs to over 3,000 cfs due to a malfunction with the dam. Crews are currently working to repair the dam. You will need to approach the river as you would any high water situation. Fish will move closer to the banks to get out of the heavy water. The recent cold weather has water temps to drop; expect best fishing during the middle of the day. Nymphs will be most productive; fish them deep and slow. Micro mayflies, tung bead PT's, $3 dips will all produce. For surface patterns try terrestrial patterns like ants, beetles, and hoppers. Fall baetis hatches will become more frequent as weather cools.
Yellowstone National Park
Madison in the park: Fishing has been fair. Several lake fish have been caught, both rainbows and browns. Cool weather should help send more fish into the system. Fish have been taken on nymphs, soft hackles, small streamers, and big attractor dries. Fishing should improve throughout the month.
RECORDED:60 °FISHING: Fair
Firehole River: Fishing should continue to improve as weather cools. You may encounter caddis activity and on cloudy cool days baetis hatches. Small terrestrial patterns will bring fish to the surface. Soft hackles will if fish aren't looking up.
RECORDED:63 °FISHING: Good
Slough Creek-Fishing has been good. Small ants, beetles, hoppers will bring fish to the surface. As weather cools expect to fish baetis, midges, and drake patterns. If fish get picky and won't take your offering downsize!!! Best fishing will be during the middle of the day when water temps are warmer.
RECORDED:62 °FISHING: Good
Lamar River/ Soda Butte: Both have fished well. Small terrestrials are the key in this area. Ants, beetles, crickets, and small hoppers. As weather cools be prepared with an assortment of baetis an drake patterns. Mid-day fishing will be most productive.
RECORDED:74 °FISHING: Great Madison River (Montana)-The Madison River is seeing the Spruce Fly once again. Fishing this hatch in the morning hours has proven very effective. Size 12 stimulators and Iris caddis have brought plenty of fish to the surface. Evening caddis and midges are still very prevalent. Mid-day fishing has been improving on hoppers and ants, as well as small nymphs.
For more guiding and fishing opportunities with the West Yellowstone Fly Shop check out our website or call us at 406-646-1181.
RECORDED:40 °FISHING: Good Firehole River (Yellowstone Park)- The Firehole river has been higher and more off color than normal years. Between one oclock and four oclock we have seen fair to good hatches of Pale Morning Duns. A variety of nymphs have produced fish on the swing and dead drift depending on the time of the day. Overall fishing has been improving, and hatches becoming a little more consistant. Try patterns like Sparkle duns, hackle stackers, and soft hackle nymphs.
RECORDED:64 °FISHING: Excellent Chimehuin River- Wind and rain make for perfect streamer fishing, but recently all we have had is sun. The fish don't seem to mind, and if I can fish streamers in a tee shirt and have browns eat my fly then that is even better. Migratory fish have been on the move these last several days. Mid day dry fly fishing will depend largely on the weather. We have seen some decent Baeits, but they are localized and the fish are selective. We have done best on large streamers in olive and brown stripped on sink tip lines. Where fish are rising small comparaduns and wulffs have brought fish to the surface. Also many BH nymphs fished in the riffles can prove to be effective.
Boca Del Chimehuin- Fished the boca several days ago. Found one run with a school of browns ranging from 18-22 inches. Buddy landed 9 fish in an hour and then nothing. Rain should be good for fishing.
RECORDED:63 °FISHING: Good Malleo River- The river is currently fishing good, but recent windy coniditions has made it very hard to fish small dries. When wind dies down fishing should be great. Afternoon baetis hatches have been good and make for fairly predictable surface fishing. Long leaders and #18-#22 bugs are a must. Mostly rainbows are being caught, but the occassional fall brown will show up this time of year. Fishing should be good throughout the month of April.
RECORDED:62 °FISHING: Great Collon Cura- River continues to fish. The last couple of days have been very windy and rainy. Some of the big migratory fish are starting to show up. Friends recently landed several 24 inch browns on streamers. Fishing is not easy, but it never is for the big guys. Fishing should continue to improve throughout the month.
Lamar River - October 7th, 2007
RECORDED:40 °FISHING: Fair Lamar Valley ( Lamar River, Slough Creek, Soda Butte) - This area is hit or miss this time of year. Weather can be very unpredictable in this part of the park. Water temps are quite cold on all of these rivers and will limit your fishing time. If you do make the trek to this part of the park be prepared to go through Mammoth as Dunraven Pass is now closed. Midges and small baetis may be seen hatching during the middle of the day. Nymphs and small streamers fished deep and slow will take a few fish.
