Recent Fishing Reports for Montana. 7/13

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[size 2]These reports are for specific areas of Montana. Please scroll down to the area that interests you and find your report for that section. There is some flyfishing information included for most of the areas as well. [/size]
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Bitterroot River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Bitterroot River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141176468612&begmeas=0&endmeas=84.2779998779297"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

REPORTS: The fishing continues to be good all day on the root. By about 10 in the morning there have been lots of PMD's and a sparse showing of green drakes. You'll see lots of heads up and the fish, while not pushovers at this point, are still willing to eat a well presented dry. Once things slow down midafternoon the ticket has been a smaller golden stone pattern with a 14-16 nymph dropped off the back a few feet. The days have been closing out with a great spinner fall.

HATCHES: Midges, caddis, yellow sallies, giant goldens, few salmonflies, PMDs, green drakes.

FLIES: Golden stones of several varities such as Rogue, parachute madam Xs, or bulletheads. Extended body drakes in a 10 or 12, parachute adams in both larger sizes for the drakes. There will be lots of PMDs now, so have appropriately sized comparaduns, thorax ties, button emergers, etc... Have some Goddard and elk hair caddis and some salmonflies if you go higer. Keep some smaller green and red bodied nymphs such as brassies if the fish won't play on top.

WEATHER: Today. Mostly sunny. Highs 79 to 84. West winds 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight. Clear. Lows 43 to 48. Northwest winds around 15 mph in the evening. Monday. Sunny and warmer. Highs 85 to 90. Monday night. Clear. Lows 49 to 54. Tuesday through Friday night. Partly cloudy each afternoon and evening. Otherwise mostly clear. Hot with highs 89 to 98. Lows 50 to 60.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The entire river is fishing well from Hannon all the way to Kelly Island.

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Blackfoot River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

[b]REPORTS: This river fished yesterday on a variety of offerings from streamers to PMDs. Expect more of the same today. The fish have definitely been looking up, even in the wind. Short line streamer and nymph rigs can be a good alternative if it gets to howling up here, but overall, a sparkle bodied golden stone will be your best bet. Brown, yellow and/or tan streamers have been rippin' some major fatties as well.

HATCHES: Salmonflies, caddis, green drakes, golden stones, PMDs.

FLIES: Bigger salmonflies and goldens, button emerger and cripple green drakes, #12 or 14 royal Wulffs, deep and slow tandem nymph rigs, brown, olive or black streamers in the clouds, brighter colors like peach and yellow in the sun. Big fuzzy junk that you can strip across the surface for fluttering caddis.

WEATHER: Today. Mostly sunny. Highs 79 to 84. West winds 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight. Clear. Lows 43 to 48. Northwest winds around 15 mph in the evening. Monday. Sunny and warmer. Highs 85 to 90. Monday night. Clear. Lows 49 to 54. Tuesday through Friday night. Partly cloudy each afternoon and evening. Otherwise mostly clear. Hot with highs 89 to 98. Lows 50 to 60.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: While the rivers are in decent shape now, warming water will almost certainly be an issue within the next few weeks if the hot spells set in again. [/b]

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Clark Fork River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Clark+Fork&format=pre"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

REPORTS: The Clark Fork has been fishing ok the past few days, it's been a little moody as the water continues to drop and the weather warms. There have been good PMD hatches in the mornings then look to have success with everything from giant golden stones to green drakes later in the day. If the wind does become too much of an issue, the streamer fishing has been very good as has a short line, double nymph rig that includes big prince nymphs, red San Juan worms or caddis emergers.

HATCHES: Caddis, green drakes, giant golden stones, salmonflies, PMDs.

FLIES: Royal stimis, Rogue goldens, parachute madam x, Ausable Wulffs, comparadun and thorax PMDs, parachute Adams in 12s and 14s. Goddard caddis (especially in the late evening), flashback p-tails.

WEATHER: Today. Mostly sunny. Highs 79 to 84. West winds 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight. Clear. Lows 43 to 48. Northwest winds around 15 mph in the evening. Monday. Sunny and warmer. Highs 85 to 90. Monday night. Clear. Lows 49 to 54. Tuesday through Friday night. Partly cloudy each afternoon and evening. Otherwise mostly clear. Hot with highs 89 to 98. Lows 50 to 60.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Even with the little bit of a warm-up we've had in the past couple of days, the evening caddis has begun coming off in a big way again. The fish are on these HUGE right now. Make sure to skate them or at least give 'em some motion.

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Rock Creek - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"][#0000ff]The Kingfisher[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Great
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Rock+Creek"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Rock Creek Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1154428475830&begmeas=0&endmeas=10.9219999313354"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

REPORTS: Rock Creek continues to fish well as the water levels drop. You should have good topwater action today with PMDs and green drakes as well as golden stones and yellow sallies. Your favorite drake or PMD pattern behind a size 10 or 12 golden stone dry should be a deadly combination. Tandem nymph rigs will be a no-brainer if the wind kicks up to disturbing levels.

HATCHES: Caddis, green drakes, salmonflies, golden stones, PMDs, hoppers.

FLIES: More realistically sized mayfly offerings such as parachute Adams, comparaduns or cripples in the 14 to 16 range. Green drake cripples or duns in 10s or 12s. Hopper and ant patterns are also working well now. Slow moving streamers will also be a good option. Larger stonefly nymphs with bright red San Juan worm droppers.

WEATHER: Today. Mostly sunny. Highs 79 to 84. West winds 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight. Clear. Lows 43 to 48. Northwest winds around 15 mph in the evening. Monday. Sunny and warmer. Highs 85 to 90. Monday night. Clear. Lows 49 to 54. Tuesday through Friday night. Partly cloudy each afternoon and evening. Otherwise mostly clear. Hot with highs 89 to 98. Lows 50 to 60.

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Gallatin River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Steam Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Gallatin&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Gallatin River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Gallatin_River__1114924459385_0_97.1900024414063.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
East Gallatin River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_East_Gallatin_River__1113345458915_0_42.1290016174316.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Flows at Gallatin Gateway are 1170 C.F.S. The Gallatin has remained clear and it is fishing as well as any river in the state right now. There are consistent hatches of Pale Morning Duns and Yellow Sallies in the morning with good caddis activity in the evening. Parachute patterns have been the most productive patterns on the Gallatin, however don't be afraid of trying the good old fashion attractor dry fly patterns. The hatch activity has been a little slow during the heat of the day but the fish will still take the dry even if the hatch activity is slow during the mid afternoon. Dry dropper rigs are another great way of taking fish during the slower hatch activity periods. Get out and enjoy the Gallatin right now, the dry fly fishing is great and the fish are fighting hard.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Royal Trude #8-12, Royal Stimulator #8-12, Peacock Trude #8-12, Bloom's Parachute Caddis #12-14, Parachute Adams #12-16, Yellow Stimulator #12-14, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Royal Wulff #12-14, Peacock Anatomay #10-12, Hot Wire Caddis #10-12.

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Madison River - Lower - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Madison&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
South ForkMadison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_South_Fork_Madison_River__1112332447461_0_20.701000213623.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
West Fork Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_West_Fork_Madison_River__1115837448893_0_33.1749992370605.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

The flows at the Ennis Powerhouse are 1430 C.F.S. If you must fish the lower river do it early in the morning or late in the evening. Water temps in the am are around 65 degrees and it is warming up to around 70 degrees by late afternoon. These water temps are hard of caught fish due to the lower dissolved oxygen content in the water and the build up of acids in the fish when they are stressed during the fight. The other issue on the lower madison this time of year is the amount of pleasure floaters and tubers who have no control of where they are going. The lower madison is a recreational play ground in the summer months and there is little room for anglers during this time frame. You will have a much better experience if you try somewhere else.



Fly Pattern Suggestions : Great Bikini Hatch on warm afternoons.

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Madison River - Upper - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Great
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Madison&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here][/#0000ff][/url]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
South ForkMadison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_South_Fork_Madison_River__1112332447461_0_20.701000213623.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
West Fork Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_West_Fork_Madison_River__1115837448893_0_33.1749992370605.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

The flows at Kirby Ranch are 1340 C.F.S. The river has come up alot in the past week and it is taking the fish a little while to get aclimated to the new flows. Hatch activity has been good with all sorts of insects on the water. There are still some random Salmonflies out and about and your best bet for finding the big bugs is above Lyons Bridge in the wade fishing only stretch of the upper river. There are several species of caddis as well as Yellow Sallies and PMD's hatching along the entire length of the river. Crowds have been an issue and everyone just needs to mind their P's and Q's so that everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Ugly Bug #4-6, Yuk Bug #4-6, Bitch Creek #2-6, Rogue Foam Stone #4, Bullet Head Salmonfly #4, Terranasty #4, Norm Wood Special #6-8, Sofa Pillow #4-6, Bh Prince #6-10, Mangy Caddis #14-16, Hotwire Caddis #12-16, Copper John #12-14, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Royal Stimulator #10-14, Parachute Adams #14-16

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Big Hole River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
The Flows at Melrose Montana are 809 C.F.S. The river has dropped quite a bit over the past few days and the fishing should be picking up. Over the past couple of weeks there has been a good bit of rain in the Bighole Valley and the river remained fishable but it was on the rise. Flows as of this time last week were around 1400 C.F.S. and the fishing was pretty slow. There was good hatch activity with a mix of PMD's, Caddis and Yellow Sallies in the morning with caddis activity in the evening as well. We fished the river on Thursday and it was very slow. We did manage to rangle a few fish on dries, a few on droppers and some on Streamers fished on a very slow retrieve. All in all the fishing was fair at best. Our last trip went out on the river on Wednesday July 7th and they experienced some of the same fishing. Since then the river has dropped and I would not hesitate to head to the Bighole. It should catch fire with the dropping flows. If you are heading over to the river with any out of state guest be sure and check the regulations because there are some very poor regulations that limit non resident anglers from floating on certain sections over the weekend!!!!





Fly Pattern Suggestions :Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12

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Missouri River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Stream Flow Information [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Missouri&format=html_table"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Missouri River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Missouri_River__1039825479786_1586.77905273438_2312.46704101563.aspx"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

The Mighty Mo is flowing at 2890 C.F.S. The fishing has been very good on the Mo with Caddis and PMD's hatching each day. The fish are a little tricky and you may have to try some unconventional patterns to fool them. Cripples and emergers are something that you won't want to head to the Mo without right now. The Trico's are just starting to show a bit right now and I would expect the trico activity to get good near the end of the Month.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Soft Hackle Sow Bug #16-18, Ray Charles #16-18, San Juan Worm #10, Pink Scud #12-14, Rainbow Warrior #16-18, Red Midge Larvae #18-20, Olive Midge Larvae #18-20, Sawyer PT #16-18, Flashback PT #16-18, PMD Thorax #16-20, Parachite PMD #16-20, Tilt Wing Dun #16-18, Hi Vis Caddis #14-16, Bloom's Parachute Caddis #14-16, Hen Wing Caddis #14-16

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Beaverhead River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Barrett's Diversion Dam are 248 C.F.S. The Beaverhead has been providing some good dry fly fishing as of late. Yellow Sallies and PMD's are the main hatches to target. Floating has been a little on the tough side because of the low flows on the river. With the poor fishing taking place on the Bighole more people have been on the Beaverhead so crowds will be somewhat of an issue. Nymphing with small nymphs and midge larvae is also very productive. If you are there during low light periods try fishing some big nasty streamers in the ditch area above the High Bridge. You can turn some nice fish on streamers if the conditions are right.

Fly Pattern Suggestions :Red San Juan Worms, Red Sawyer PT #18-20, Grey Scud #14-16, Olive Scud #14-16, Red Midge Larvae #18-22, Olive Midge Larvae #18-22, Olive Hares Ear #16-18, Green Weenie #18-20.

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Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Summer rates are in affect and you will need to call for reservations. Space is limited during the summer months. Nelson's and Armstrong's are fishing the best right now with Armstrong's being my choice of the three creeks. Since the floods in 96 and 97 the creeks have changed and Armstrong's holds most of the fish throughout the summer months. Look for the fish in the shallow fast riffles and in the deeper buckets below the fast water. Sight fishing is very good on Armstrong's right now. There are hatches of PMD's, Sulphurs and caddis. Midge larvae are always a good bet if you are running nymphs at the finicky fish in the riffles. If you are fishing Depuy's give the pond in front of the house a try if you are having trouble locating fish. Stripping leech patterns in the pond can provide some very good fishing.

Armstrong's (406) 222-2979

Depuy's (406) 222-0221

Nelson's (406) 222-2159

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Fly Pattern Suggestions : Parachute PMD #16-18, Hilda's PMD #16-18, PMD Compara Dun #16-18, Micro Baetis #18-20, Sawyer PT #16-20, Black Sawyer PT #16-20, Biotic Nymph #16-18, Sow Bug #16-18, Grey Scud #14-16

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Bighorn River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"][#0000ff]Montana Troutfitters[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows at St. Xavier are 1320 C.F.S. There is very little dry fly activity on the Bighorn as of yet. There are still some baetis and midges hatching on the upper river. They are getting a few fish to take a look at some hoppers on the lower river. One of my good friends who lives and guides on the river is floating from Bighorn to Mallards today and he thought that there may be some more hatch activity on the lower river as the water temps warm up on the lower portion of the river. We will update you as we recieve reports from the river. Nymphing is the most productive technique at this time and you will do best on the upper three miles of the river. Sighting your fish and fishing to them has been the better way of catching numbers of fish. Fishing the same old holes that are named will produce some fish but if you think outside the box and go looking for fish you may be surprised with what you can turn up.



Fly Pattern Suggestions : Micro Baetis #18-20, Sawyer PT #16-20, Black Sawyer PT #16-20, Biotic Nymph #16-18, Sow Bug #16-18, Grey Scud #14-16, Orange Scud #12-16, Chemical Ali #18-20, Ray Charles #18-20, Red Midge Larvae #18-20, Black Beauty #18-20, Zebra Midge #18-20, Skinny Nelson #18-20

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Yellowstone River - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"][#0000ff]Yellowstone Angler[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
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"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Water conditions have been variable over the last couple of weeks. The river got dirty early this last week, partially due to rains on the Lamar, but some of the off-color water was coming from a big landslide on the Gardner River between Mammoth and Gardiner. The river cleared enough to be fishable with nymphs and streamers by Thursday, and we heard good reports of dry fly fishing yesterday (Friday, 7/9). In a low snowpack year, it is hard to complain about rain, but it is nice to have the Yellowstone back in shape.

Most of the hatch activity is now a mix of several kinds of caddis, along with Yellow Sallies. The fish don't often key on any particular bug when these mixed hatches are coming off, so general attractor patterns are usually the best bet. Lime Trudes, tan Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, and Hare's Ear Parachutes are all good patterns now, all in sizes 10-14. Fishing these attractors in tandem with a small bead head nymph has become a standard technique for many anglers on the Yellowstone.

Flows are now about 5300 cfs, which is still high enough to make the sections in the middle of the Paradise Valley very productive. The sections below Mallard's Rest will fish better and better as water levels drop, and the riffles in these faster sections become more defined.

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Yellowstone National Park Rivers - July 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"][#0000ff]Yellowstone Angler[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Montana Stream Flows [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Slough Creek is now fishing very well. Hatches of PMDs, caddis, and Green Drakes are all going, and water conditions are great. One of our guides fished Slough on Tuesday, and reports that there was still a touch of color, but had consistent action all day long on dry flies.

The recent rains in the Park that have dirtied the Yellowstone have also limited the fishing on the Lamar and Soda Butte Creek, but they should be clearing quickly. Look for hatches of PMDs on these streams as soon as water conditions allow.

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End of current reports[cool]
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