Recent fishing reports for Montana 10/5/4

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[size 1]Here are some [/size][url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/"][#333366][size 1]fishing reports powered by fisheyesoup.com[/size][/#333366][/url][size 1]. Please feel free to use any advice offered by these reports.[cool] Then let us know how you did with a nice fish report. [/size]
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Rock Creek - October 1st, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Rock+Creek"]click here[/url]]
Rock Creek Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1154428475830&begmeas=0&endmeas=10.9219999313354"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: Good fishing creek wide on everything from dries of all kinds, to nymphs and slow moving streamers. The wind and foul weather they were predicting for yesterday afternoon and today looks like it'll be a non event after all. Expect uninterrupted dryfly action from top to bottom today. Bigger October caddis patterns twitched, comparadun and parachute hecubas in 12s, and small baetis patterns in the slower water will get it done for you on top. Don't overlook the rubber legged attractors and hopper patterns. Rock Creek is a good call for sure today.

HATCHES: October caddis, baetis, mahoganies, hecubas, terresterials.

FLIES: More realistically sized mayfly offerings such as parachute Adams, comparaduns or cripples in the 14 to 16 range. Skated or twitched orange fuzzy junk on top such as a stimulator or stimi chew toy. Slow moving streamers will also be a good option.

WEATHER: TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING THEN CLEARING... HIGHS 64 TO 69. EAST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH MISSOULA VALLEY IN THE MORNING. TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 28 TO 34 SATURDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 67 TO 72 SATURDAY NIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 28 TO 37 SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 68 TO 73 SUNDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 28 TO 35 MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 70 TO 75... LOWS 34 TO 39. TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 36 TO 41 WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... HIGHS 66 TO 71... LOWS 32 TO 37. THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 68 TO 73

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Clark Fork River - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Clark+Fork&format=pre"]click here[/url]]
Clark Fork River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1162072481455&begmeas=9.43000030517578&endmeas=336.802001953125"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: Once the fish get rolling on the surface around 11, you will have your best luck on either mahogany or baetis patterns. The small dun hackled parachute baetis are particularly effective on pods of selective fatties. Another thing vastly overlooked this time of the year is fishing immitations of those little flourescent beetles that're ALL over the willows on the gravel bars along the river. Haven't even ever seen 'em? Take a minute to look. There're about a #14 and look JUST like a Griffith's gnat tie. Just a pile of peacock basically. You'll be amazed at the response you'll get from pods and sketched out fish that've seen everything else.

HATCHES: hecubas, baetis, mahoganies, giant golden stones, October caddis, terrestrials.

FLIES: Royal Wulffs, comparadun and thorax ties, parachute Adams in 12s and 14s. Have dark colord mayfly offerings from size 18 to 10 and some bigger attractor/hopper patterns. Don't overlook the bugger fishing in morning.

WEATHER: TODAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... SUNNY... HIGHS 67 TO 72 TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR... LOWS 29 TO 41 TUESDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 69 TO 74. WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. TUESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 33 TO 42 WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 66 TO 71 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 34 TO 42 THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 69 TO 74

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Blackfoot River - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Blackfoot+River"]click here[/url]]
Blackfoot River Montana FWP Online Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1138907468712&begmeas=0&endmeas=127.319000244141"]click here[/url]]
North Fork Blackfoot River Montana FWP Online Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1131290469848&begmeas=0&endmeas=38.4850006103516"]click here[/url]]

Attractor city on this river right now. It's also fishing very well with darker or natural colored streamer patterns. The best dryfly action is still solidly between about 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., but nymphs before and after this time-frame will get you hooked up once in a while too. Even when you're having good dryfly action during the day, if your surface bug is big enough to support a dropper, make sure you're fishing one. Droppers will definitely increase your daily numbers. There doesn't seem to be a hot section of the river these days, it's all fishing well.

HATCHES: Hecubas, baetis, mahoganies, October caddis, golden stones, terrestrials.

FLIES: #14 parachute Adams or similar mayfly offerings. Large October caddis fished on top with movement or October caddis pupa bounced along the bottom. Big attractors such as tarrantulas with droppers and then double beaded stones in tandem with red San Juans fished right on the bottom under an indicator.

WEATHER: TODAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... SUNNY... HIGHS 67 TO 72 TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR... LOWS 29 TO 41 TUESDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 69 TO 74. WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. TUESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 33 TO 42 WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 66 TO 71 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 34 TO 42 THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 69 TO 74

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Bitterroot River - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Bitterroot+River"]click here[/url]]
Bitterroot River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141176468612&begmeas=0&endmeas=84.2779998779297"]click here[/url]]
West Fork Bitterroot Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141267459398&begmeas=0&endmeas=42.326000213623"]click here[/url]]

Clear and sunny today with highs in the mid to lower 70s. Typical fall weather and fishing. The best dry fly action is still from about 11 - 4. Until the fish get going on top a double nymph rig or hopper dropper will be your best bet. This time of the year, the fish have lots of choices about what to eat. There are abundant hoppers, golden stones, ants, beetles, caddis, hecubas, mahoganies, baetis . . . Most of the time the river will be fairly consistant about what the fish are looking for, but sometimes it can vary greatly from pod to pod. Bring it all when you're fishing this time of the year in the Missoula area.

[b]HATCHES: Midges, October caddis, giant goldens, baetis, hecubas, mahoganies, hoppers, tricos.

FLIES: Parachute adams are always a good standby on this river in sizes 12 to 18. Quill bodied and extended bodies as well as button emergers in a variety from size 12 to 20s. Keep some smaller green and red bodied nymphs such as brassies if the fish won't play on top. Look for bigger attractor patterns such as parachute madam Xs in orange along with Turck's tarrantulas and Chernobyls to work better today as well. Streamers in olive and yellow on the upper reaches of the 'root are rockin' 'em.

WEATHER: TODAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... SUNNY... HIGHS 67 TO 72 TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR... LOWS 29 TO 41 TUESDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 69 TO 74. WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. TUESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 33 TO 42 WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 66 TO 71 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 34 TO 42 THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 69 TO 74 Monday night. Clear. Lows 31 to 41. Tuesday. Mostly sunny. Highs 70 to 75. Tuesday night. Clear. Lows 31 to 41. Wednesday and Wednesday night. Partly cloudy. Highs 66 to 71. Lows 33 to 42. [/b]

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Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Good
Armstrong Spring Creek (O'Hair Ranch), Nelson's Spring Creek, DePuy's Spring Creek
Mild, bright weather has slowed hatches of midges and Baetis mayflies in the last week or so, but the Baetis should return in good numbers as soon as we see more consistent cloud cover.

The morning midge hatch that we see in mid-September has slowed, but ther will be intermittent hatches of midges through the fall, especially on cloudy days. When the fish are feeding on top, try a variety of CDC surface emergers like René Harrop's CDC Hanging Midge or Gray CDC Midge Emerger. Smaller sizes (#20-24) work best.

Midge larva patterns are always a good choice on the spring creeks, and they are one of the best options in the fall months when hatch activity is minimal. The Miracle Nymph, Green Krystal Midge Larva, and any of the Lace or Epoxy Head Midge Larva patterns can be very effective. Carrying a variety of colors is often more important than trying to match the color of a specific natural.

Look for good mid-day hatches of fall Baetis on cloudy days. Pheasant Tails, Sawyer Style Pheasant Tails, Thin Baetis Nymphs, and the new Olive Epoxy Biot Nymph (all in #18-20) are very effective prior to the hatch. You can fish these under a dry fly, but using a small foam or yarn indicator is probably the most efficient method.

Hatches of fall Baetis started with late September's cloudy weather, and we heard excellent reports from yesterday (9/19), as they will run though Ovctober and November. This bug is a little smaller and darker than the spring Baetis, so the best sizes are #20-22. Sparkle Duns, Biot Sparkle Duns, No Hackles, and CDC Thorax Duns are all good pattern choices during this hatch.

Fishing small terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles will be a very effective technique on bright days. Best sizes are #14-18.

If the weather gets really nasty, and wind and rain make it difficult to fish small dry flies and nymphs, fishing a small (#8-12) leech or Woolly Bugger may produce some big fish. Our Spring Creek Leech pattern is a great choice on dark days. Although this kind of fishing is not what brings most anglers to a spring creek, it can turn a difficult day into a very productive one.

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Missouri River - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Good
[/url]Missouri River The Missouri River has been fishing better, now that the weather has kick started hatches of Baetis and Pseudo mayflies. As with all tailwaters, look for the best hatch activity on cloudy days without too much wind. Pattern selection is similar to the recommendations for the Paradise Valley spring creeks.

Up until this last weather change, there were still fishable numbers of Trico spinners in the mornings, especially in the water just below Holter Dam.

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Yellowstone National Park Rivers - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Good
Montana Stream Flows [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow"]click here[/url]]

Recent dry weather has meant that all of the streams in the northern end of the Park (including Slough Creek, the Lamar River, and Soda Butte Creek) have been clear.

Anglers are still reporting decent hatches of "fall drakes" on these streams, and they should last another week or two. Like Baetis mayflies, these bugs seem to hatch best on days with strong overcast, and a day with drizzling rain or spitting snow is even better. A March Brown Parachute or Hare's Ear Parachute in #12-14 is the ideal pattern choice for this hatch.

Fall Baetis will be mixed in with the hatches of drakes in the fall. Carry Parachute Adams, Parachute Hare's Ears, Sparkle Duns, etc. in #16-18.

The return of warmer temperatures this last week has produced more good terrestrial fishing in the Park. Even after a few frosts, there will be plenty of surviving terrestrial insects, including ants, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers. Chernobyl Ants, foam hopper patterns, and the new Big Secret Cricket have all produced well recently.

Some of the fall spots in the Park fished very well during the cool, cloudy weather we saw in late September, but they have slowed recently. These include the Firehole, the Madison in the Park, and the lower Gardner. Look for the fishing on these streams to improve again once fall weather returns.

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Yellowstone River - October 4th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Good
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=yellowstone&format=html_table"]click here[/url]]

Weather conditions always dictate the most effective fishing methods in the fall. The return of bright, warm weather has meant that anglers on the Yellowstone have had to switch from a fall mix of streamers and Baetis dry flies back to late summer techniques.

Guide Brian Sienkowski and Tom Bailey with big Yellowstone rainbow In the last week or so, the most effective patterns have included traditional attractor patterns like Royal Wulffs, Royal Trudes, and Parachute Adams. Fish these in sizes 12-16. Although it seems very late, we have heard some reports this week that hopper patterns are still producing. Even though it is already October, we have not had a frost in Livingston yet, although freezing temps are predicted in the next few days. Until we have several hard frosts, don't be afraid to try a favorite hopper pattern—let the trout (not the calendar) decide if terrestrial season is over.

In bright weather, anglers should try small bead head nymphs in tandem with the larger attractors. Pattern choice in the nymph is usually not critical. Popular choices include Princes, Pheasant Tails (including the variations with some extra flash in the body), Copper Johns, etc. Fish these in #14-16.

For most anglers, fishing the Yellowstone in the fall means streamer fishing. Bright weather will make streamers less effective for now, but they will stillproduce early and late in the day. Although it is still early in terms of the actual brown trout spawning period, the browns (along with the rainbows and cutts) will respond more aggressively to streamers once cloud cover is more consistent. Sculpin patterns (like the Gander, Woolhead Sculpin, and the new Rag Sculpin), Zonkers, and any of the Woolly Bugger variations in #2-6 are some of the best fly choices.

Bright conditions will minimize fall Baetis hatches, but in the right conditions, these bugs will appear around 1-3:00 pm. Look for rising fish in foam pockets, backeddies, and on the inside of riffle corners. A Parachute Adams or Parachute Hare's Ear in #16-18 is usually as imitative as the fly needs to be on the Yellowstone, but a Baetis Sparkle Dun or the new Baetis Vis-A-Dun will do the trick if the fish are picky at all.

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to be continued......[cool]