Salmonflys Moving Up

Yellowstone Firehole- Novice fisherman are having great success on the Firehole River with white miller caddis and Jacklin's emerging white caddis. Reports of incredible hatches of white caddis are coming off in the late mornings and evenings. It is very hard to beat this kind of dry fly fishing in the park. Gibbon River- The Gibbon River has been an excellent choice for passing fisherman seeking to fish for aggressive browns. These browns can been seen sipping in the late mornings, but more steadily in the evenings. Jacklin's rusty spinner in a size 14 works well in the meadows above the falls. In the faster water, small stimulator patterns behind rocks and logs should produce browns in numbers. Madison- When you get the opportunity to fish the Madison on a sunny day, don't pass it up. Size 14 rusty spinners and white miller caddis are rising healthy trout from deep holes. PMD's have also been hatching in the late mornings from 10:30-11:30. Yellow Sallys are still emerging mid day and early evenings. Yellowstone Lake- The best fishing on Yellowstone Lake continues to be from a boat or float tube, but many fisherman are reporting catching sizable cuts off sandy shores. Large orange and black woolly buggers have been working well for those who can cast with some distance. Also, gold jakes and silver spoons are luring trout from shore and boat. Lamar Valley- The Lamar valley is still blown out from runoff. It isn't recommended for fishing just yet. Montana- Gallatin- Nymphs have been just about the only way to fish the Gallatin river as of lately. The water is still a little cloudy below Taylor's fork, and the entire river continues to be one of the coldest. Big slamonfly nymphs, copper johns, and lightning bugs are catching strong trout in slow pockets of water. Hebgen Lake- On calm days, midges are sporatically hatching. Broad rainbows and browns can be seen sipping these midges all throughout the lake. Sizes of 16 or 18 midge patterns should rise the fish. Below the surface, size 16 chronomids in red and green will work. When the trout aren't rising, try stripping a woolly bugger near the shoreline's dropoff. Casting gold panther martins from the shore are also catching big browns. Between the Lakes- Orange and yellow stimulators continue to work well mid day or late evening. Caddis are also beginning to hatch in the evenings, so a size 14 tan or brown elk hair caddis should do the trick. Jacklin's salmonfly nymph is a great pattern to use below the surface along with copper johns and prince nymphs. Below Quake Lake- Caddis are hatching in numbers in the evenings, a size 14 brown elk hair caddis or iris caddis will tempt many of the wonderful trout in this stretch. The salmonflys are currently just below Varney bridge and many browns are looking for the big bug. Henry's Lake- Fish are still scattered throughout the lake for the most part, and won't begin congregating near cooler water until the weather warms up. Large woolly buggers are working great in the early mornings and late evenings. When the sun begins to rise, a size 12 bead headed olive or brown woolly bugger attracts the cuts with the extra movement it provides. The weeds are still down, so trollers continue to have luck with large woolly buggers and spoons. -Dillon Given