Evening Fishing at its Finest

Yellowstone National Park Firehole River- This river is too warm for fishing, and we are not recommending anyone to fish it. Gibbon River- Being a cooler running river, the Gibbon fishes well around 10:00 in the morning as well as 8:00 in the evening. Caddis and rusty spinners work well during these feeding times. Also, grasshoppers might just bring up some bigger browns in the meadow stretch along the river's deep undercut banks. Madison River- The warm water from the Firehole River has been heating up the Madison river's temperature, but trout are still being caught on cool mornings. Reports of PMD hatches are occurring from 9:30-11:00am. When mid day or early evening rolls around, ants and caddis seem to fool the river's hungry trout. Lamar River- The water should have almost 100% clarity by now, so the trout are looking up. Size 10-14 stimulators in yellow and orange are working well up against the grassy banks in the evenings. Ants and beetles are always a good choice on the Lamar when casting to a choosey trout. Slough Creek- The main hatch of green drakes is just about finished, but some fish are still looking for the bug. PMD hatches generally occur in the morning at 10:00, and is arguably the best time to fish the river. So, it might be worth it to wake up early and make the drive to the Lamar Valley. Yellowstone Lake- It seems almost everyday someone comes into the shop and shows us the pictures of the cutthroat he caught off shore on Yellowstone Lake. Keep in mind when fishing the lake, you are fishing for one or two cutthroat. It is tough to have a multiple fish day on Yellowstone Lake. The nice side to this is, when you hook a fish, chances are it is big. Stripping black and orange woolly buggers in a size 6 or 8 slowly are attracting the lake's famous healthy cutthroat. Yellowstone River- The salmonfly hatch is just about over, but many big cuts are still looking for the big bug. PMDs currently seem to be the best way to fish this memorable river in the morning around 9:30. Ants and possibly hoppers are good to have as a secondary option. A lot of time is spent on shore trying to spot the trout, but once he is spotted, it is game on! Montana Gallatin River- Caddis hatches start around 6:30-7:00pm and buzz around until you can't see your hand in the dark. It is recommended to fish this river during the caddis hatch in the evening. Although, mid-day has proven productive because the Gallatin is one of the coolest running river in the region. Common nymph patterns always work well in the river's fast water behind big boulders. Hebgen Lake- Calibaetis hatches are increasing in numbers each passing day. It won't peak until mid to late August, but many gulpers are still being caught each day on drys. Woolly buggers are always wise to carry along in case the drys aren't enough to entice the elusive browns and rainbows. Between the Lakes- Caddis hatches have been great in the evenings. Sporatic yellow sallys are throughout the stretch mid day to early evening. Nymphing usually produces fish when nothing else seems to work. Copper johns, pheasant tails, and CDC emerging pheasant tails are usually good patterns. Madison River Below Quake- Whether it is either drys or nymphs, caddis seems to be the ticket for fishing this stretch of the Madison. The trout mainly rise in the evenings, but some can been seen mid day sipping mayflies. After a rainstorm, look out for different hatches of mayflies like PMDs, trout may key in on them for 30 minutes to an hour. Idaho Henry's Lake- With the recent wind and rainstorms, fishing has been a little bit slower. Fish are still near many of the inlates of the lake, but aren't as packed as they should be. The water temperature is in the 66-68 degree range. Fishing usually picks up once the temperature reaches 70. Brown and olive woolly buggers continue to be the most productive when the sun is rising. Later on in the day, a size 12 bead head pheasant tail or a henry's lake renegade are common choices among the regulars. -Dillon Given < Tylar Diamond with a healthy 23" cutthroat on the Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River Open to Fishing!

Yellowstone National Park Firehole River- Not recommended for fishing because the water is too warm and places a great amount of stress on the fish. Gibbon River- Caddis in the evenings and rusty spinners in the late mornings has been the best way to fish this beautiful small river. Large quantities of brown trout are holding in deep holes and behind rocks below Gibbon falls. Be sure to walk cautiously along the bank when fishing above Gibbon falls, for the browns are very spooky and like to hold near undercut banks. Madison River- The best time to fish the Madison in the park has been the evening by far. Brown elk hair caddis and PMD's in sizes 14 and 16 have been working well in the last hour or two of light. General nymphs also work great such as a flashback pheasant tail or a CDC pheasant tail. Yellowstone Lake- The best fishing continues to be from either boat or float tube. This is simply because the cutthroat tend to cruise just offshore near the lake's dropoff searching for small baitfish or leeches. this is why halloween and christmas tree woolly buggers have been producing. The Lake trout will be harder to find because with this warmer weather, most of the schools have moved into the depths of Yellowstone lake. Yellowstone River- Salmonflys are beginning their journey through the Yellowstone river, but it seems like most of the fish aren't keyed in on them just yet. Reports of great caddis and PMD hatches are occurring in the mornings, so it might be worth it to get on the water around 9:30am. Don't expect to catch large numbers of fish by any means, but if you do get into a couple, they should be big cutthroats. Lamar River- This river is still cloudy, but should clear up in a few days as long as we don't get any big rainstorms. Bushy stimulators and attractors should just do the trick to rise those wild trout. Slough River- Green drakes are just beginning to hatch on this river. PMD's work well for catching the wild cutthroat. Mornings will be better than mid day and evenings with the trout feeding on size 16 PMD's. Montana Gallatin River- Because of the Gallatin's natural cool running water, this stream has been the most consistent throughout the day. In many cases, the Gallatin fishes better mid day when temperature is at its highest. This is when the fishery becomes most active simply because the fish warm up along with the water. Caddis hatches have been great mid day and in the evenings. Nymphing is always a wise strategy for fishing this fast moving river behind rocks and in deep holes. Various patterns of caddis larva work well along with stonefly nymphs and copper johns. Hebgen Lake- Calibaetis hatches are getting better with each sunny day, but the hatches still aren't even close to what they will peak at in August. Cruising trout can be caught on various calibaetis patterns and nymphs. Woolly buggers also work well when fished within 10ft or in front of those cruising trout. Between the Lakes- Like everywhere else, caddis hatches have been happening in great numbers in the evenings. Nymphing usually produces fish during the times of day when nothing seems to be hatching. Salmonfly nymphs are great to fish above a smaller nymph like a prince or copper john. Below Quake Lake- Caddis hatches are great in the evenings, but the crowds aren't. Many fisherman are fishing the reynolds pass and three dollar bridge stretches every evening and catching nice rainbows and browns with caddis patterns. X-Caddis, iris caddis, and elk hair caddis are great ways to start your fishing venture. Idaho Henry's Lake- Most of the fish are seeking cooler water near the inlets of Henry's lake. Woolly buggers in brown and black work well in the early mornings, along with pheasant tails and hares ears in the late morning. Fish sometimes move further offshore after a storm has run through the area, so keep that in mind when trying to locate the trout. Spruce moths are just beginning to hatch throughout the region, so it might wise to pick up a few of Jacklin's spruce moth pattern. Also, it is the time of year when we start thinking about using terrestrail patterns up againist those grassy banks. -Dillon Given

Caddis Season!

Yellowstone National Park Firehole River- The recent warm weather and geysers have made the firehole river extremely warm. The river is not recommended to fish because of the great amount of stress it presses on the trout. Gibbon River- Early mornings seems to be better than late evenings on the Gibbon River. This is a slightly cooler running river, so the fishing continues to be good even with our recent warm weather. Rusty spinners in a size 14 or a brown elk hair caddis work well. Be sure to sneak up on the banks because the skittish browns have a clear view of you in this slower moving stream. Madison River- Caddis hatches in the evenings have been the best way to fish this river. White caddis are hatching in numbers from 7:30 to dark. It is recommended to fish the river until you cannot see your fly anymore. Yellowstone Lake- The Lake trout have moved into deeper water and the cutthroat are cruising the dropoffs near shore. Halloween and christmas tree woolly buggers have been producing sizeable cuts. The best access continues to be by boat. Trollers are using large spoons in gold and deep diving rapalas. Yellowstone River- Opens July 15th for fishing. Lamar Valley- The water is still a little cloudy for all three rivers, but I would expect some green drakes to hatch soon. Stimulators like a royal wulf with a prince or copper john below it should do the trick. Montana Gallatin River- Salmonflys are just now reaching inside the park. Gallatin fishes best on a hot day mid day. Nymphs seem to be the best way to fish this river but hungry trout are still rising to Jacklin's salmonfly. Hebgen Lake- Calibaetis hatches are starting, just not in big numbers yet. Few trout are sipping the drys in the mornings around 11 o'clock. Woolly buggers in black and rusty continue to work great for those fun cruising trout. Trollers are using smaller spoons in silver and gold, along with large golden spinners. Between Hebgen and Quake- Fishing has been spotty between the lakes. Few fish are still rising to the salmonfly. Caddis hatches in the evenings seems to be the best time to fish this stretch of the Madison river. Spinner fisherman are having luck with silver and gold blue fox spinners. Below Quake Lake- Mid day has been rough at three dollar bridge and reynolds pass. The best time has been the last hour of light with a brown elk hair caddis in a size 14 or 16. The caddis hatches are quite abundant in the late evenings, attracting many fly fisherman to these streches. With this in mind, be prepared to fish alongside other fisherman. Idaho Henry's Lake- The fish are now near many of the inlets seeking cooler water. Woolly buggers in various colors are working well at daybreak, and smaller patterns in olive and brown attract the fish later in the day. The weeds are growing each day, making it harder for trollers to find weedless pockets to run over. -Dillon Given

Salmonfly Hatch Almost Finished

Yellowstone National Park Firehole River- With the recent warm weather, I expect the Firehole River to slow down mid day from 12-3 or possibly 4p.m. Although, P.M.D's and white miller caddis are still hatching in the mornings and evenings. This is a great time to be fishing the Firhole with some dry flies in a size 14 or 16. Gibbon River- The Gibbon continues to be productive for most fisherman. The water temperature is a little cooler than the Firehole and Madison, so the Gibbon should fish well throughout the day. With this in mind, mornings and evenings will still be better than mid day. Rusty spinners and elk hair caddis in a size 14 seem to do the trick for these fun brown trout above and below Gibbon Falls. Madison River- Pool #1 and above 7 mile bridge has been fishing the best with rusty spinners, elk hair caddis, and P.M.D.'s. Nymphs such as copper johns, phesant tail emergers, and princes are another great way of fishing these memorable stretches. Yellowstone Lake- Reports of healthy cutthroats are being caught off of several points throughout the lake. Surprisingly, a few fisherman are still catching lake trout off of Gull point using woolly buggers and jakes lures. These lake trout should be moving into deeper water soon with the warm weather forecast we have for the next week. Yellowstone River- Closed until July 15th. Lamar Valley- Beginning to clear up, but still not recommended for fishing just yet. Montana- Gallatin River- Nymphing continues to be the most productive way of fishing the Gallatin River. Jacklin's salmonfly nymph with a size 14 copper john has been a great combination on the cool running Gallatin. Salmonflys are still near Big Sky, but are moving closer each day. Hebgen Lake- Cruising fish can be spotted in the late mornings and evenings just off the shoreline gulping various nymphs. Midges continue to be a large part of the trout's diet, but callibaetis are starting to show up in small numbers. Black and brown woolly buggers are doing great when casted in front of a cruising trout and stripped slowly. Trollers are having luck with rapala's, large spoons, and golden spinners. Between Hebgen and Quake- Salmonflys are hatching between the lakes and fisherman are having great luck with Jacklin's own salmonfly pattern. Size 8 or 6 orange stimulators have been working well with a lightening bug or Jacklin's salmonfly nymph trailing behind the dry. Below Quake- Evening fishing has been the best with elk hair caddis and numerous caddis nymphs. Brown serendipities and iris caddis have produced great success in the last few minutes of light. Salmonflys are just above McAtee bridge and will move swiftly with this warm weather. Henry's Lake- Big fish are beginning to congregate near creek inlates because of the rising water temperature. Brown, black, and olive woolly buggers are attracting trout in the early mornings and late evenings. Damselfly nymphs are a great pattern when fishing in 4 feet of water or less. Trollers are still catching big fish with size 4 woolly buggers and olive sculpin patterns. The weeds continue to grow each day so trollers may soon find it harder to find those open pockets where fish hold. -Dillon Given