Fishing Reports

The Yellowstone has dropped significantly here this past week.  It is at about 11,000 cfs and there is almost a foot of visibility.  I have received a few reports from guys out there, but none have been positive so far.  Everyone says the same thing, "lots of water, and moving way to fast".  We probably will get over there at the end of the week.  We will keep you posted.

The Missouri has dropped a ton and you can now wade the river.  Since the flows have come down the dry fly fishing has improved drastically.  Caddis, PMD's and yellow sallies are the main fare.  Nymphing is still tearing them up, but if you want some great dry fly fishing the Missouri is a bug factory.  There haven't been any reports of tricos yet, but who wants to fish size 22's yet?

On Fire
The lower Madison is fishing really well right now.  The big trout are eating hard under the surface.  Huz-ur-daddy crayfish, zonkers, and lightning bugs is all you need right now.  We have had some fish attack our strike indicators, but after switching to dries not much positive is happening.  So grit your teeth, fish under the surface, and hang on when the big browns and rainbows run you into your backing.  The upper is lower and clearer right now.  They have been bumping the water all over the place and it has affected the fishing.  If you hit it right the dry fly fishing can be great.  Caddis and PMD's are heavy, and the Salmonflies are almost up to Ruby.  It seems as if everyone is fishing the Upper Madison right now and don't expect to be alone.  The closer you get to the salmonflies the more anglers you are going to see. 

The Gallatin is coming around.  It has dropped and there is almost 2 feet of visibility.  You want to be careful wading because the river is moving rather swiftly.  Not a lot of dry fly fishing  yet, but stonefly nymphs and prince nymphs, SJ worms, and bright nymphs tight to the bank are working well.  Be sure to have plenty of weight on to get those flies to the bottom.  Be prepared to lose some flies in the rocks, but it will be worth it.