July 25, Big Rainbow

Caught this giant yesterday... I could tell you where, but then I'd have to kill you!
-Daniel

Fishing Report, July 12

Hello readers and fellow fish bums. The new website has been a great transition, and the concept of the guide blog has been talked about all over town and beyond. The blog provides a more personal and specific touch to reports and fishing banter, and (though it hasnt happened too frequently) provides you, the reader, a chance to respond and communicate... But a full and wholesome river report is not always easy to find, so here it goes.

Bozeman's local rivers are clearing up, fishing is good and only getting better.

UPPER MADISON: Flows have been consistently falling over the past 10 days and currently the flow is at 1680 at Kirby Ranch. Salmon flies are the name of the game at around Macatee,though some have had trouble getting the fish to eat on top. Along with the Salmon flies, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, Caddis, and PMD's have also been hatching in considerable numbers. Now, the river could give up an great day or a slow one as it transitions into "summer mode". In another week I think the consistency will be there.

LOWER MADISON: At 2800 CFS and falling the lower is a good option for fishing right now. At only about a 25 minute drive from town, it is a convenient afternoon float or post work wade. Water clarity is better and the fish are beginning to move out from the banks. The only problem here is the number of floaters on the water with you. What has come to be called the "Bikini Hatch" is out in full force, and on the weekend forget about it.

YELLOWSTONE: The stone has been constantly falling for the past week from around 20,000 CFS to 11,800 right now. There have been boats on the water this week with reports of a few fish and fishability at least. When the river reaches 10,000 CFS Im predicting the fishing to turn on in a big way. In a week's time the Yellowstone will be back in full swing. Floating this river gives a huge advantage, so dont wait and book a guide for next week some time.

GALLATIN: The mighty Gallatin's huge runoff flows have begun to subside with a current readings at 2200 CFS in Gallatin Gateway. There's many reports of Salmon Flies at the top of the canyon near Big Sky, moving up into the meadows. Caddis and PMD's and also in the mix. Be careful where you wade because its still chugging along, but those picturesque Gallatin days are back and only getting better!

MISSOURI: The MO has been interesting this season, to say the least. A flush in early June lasted through the month and made anglers fish deep and heavy nymph rigs, with not too much dry action. The river still produced just fine, and anglers still congregated in Craig for a different kind of June than they've seen in recent years. With flows dropping steadily (currently 7,340 CFS) the classic MO fishing that were all used to is starting to show through. As the river drops dry flying gets better and better. Caddis and PMD's, with a mix of a few Sallies and Drakes. Trico's are just around the corner.

BIG HOLE/BEAVERHEAD: The "hole" and the "beav" provided us a great opportunity in the recent weeks to find some hot fishing, and still is. The Salmon Flies in the upper stretches of the Big Hole were great this year, as well as many other prolific hatches throughout both streams. At 1260 CFS the river is still fishing good if you are willing to make the drive. Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, PMD's and Caddis are the name of the game. Both nymphs and dries are on right now. The beav's flow has been consistent now for about a week and many of the same bugs as the Big Hole are being seen here. Early morning and evenings are the time to dry fly, but during the day nymphing has dominated.

The moral of the story is that its time to go fishing people. Break out your rods, call your friends, and get on the water!

See you out there,
Daniel

Lower Mad Salmon Flies

While fishing the lower madison yesterday I pulled out the saining net to see a quick sample of what was crawling on the river bottom... Salmon fly nymphs are absolutely everywhere along the banks and are quite active. We did several sains and I don't think I pulled it out once without there being 8 - 10 of them in the net. Expect the hatch to be prolific from the recent increased flows, which has churned the riverbed. Look for these guys to be popping in the next week or two. Even better, you don't have to wait to fish... They're eating the nymphs plenty good. The weather is warm and the fishing is picking up... there's no better time than the present! See you out there,
Daniel

June 1st and 2nd Lower Madison

Hello All, I have been fishing the Lower Madison the last couple of days with comrade and past Bozeman Angler staffer JJ Bishop. The river is chugging along above 4,000 CFS and makes wading a bit dangerous. Floating from a drift boat makes fishing much easier and more productive. Visibility is no more than a foot or two, so bug possibilities are limited, but this river is more than fishable. Putting in at around mid day at Warm Springs and taking out at Blacks Ford gives the water a chance to warm up and makes for a nice afternoon/evening float. Sunday was a bit of a struggle with a few fish worth counting to the boat. However, yesterday proved to be more prolific. Look for fish very tight to the bank, in slower moving slack water or in back eddies. Nymphing and stripping streamers both produced fish, streamers being more effective if there is a decent cloud cover. Try an ugly crayfish pattern or a Pats Rubber Legs above a sparkly Yellow Sally nymph or a bright caddis pupa. If stripping the steamer try sculpin patterns or or bright attractors. Make sure to stay river left after Cherry Creek comes in, as its basically dumping mud and stains the river right too much to fish it. Have fun, be safe, and we'll see you out there!
- Daniel