Recent fishing report for Montana 6/21

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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. These reports will pick up from where the last ones left off. From New to Old.[/size]
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Bitterroot River - June 21st, 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=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 Bitterroot has been fishing better and better each day for the past week or so. The bright sun that's on tap probably won't be much help to you, though, or at the very least, it'll require changing your tactics. The Bitterroot's a moody pooch, though, so it's hard to say. It actually fished pretty well yeaterday in the bright sun. PMDs and green drakes have been hatching heavily on the 'root lately, but the sun could have you switching out to bigger attractors and golden stones. Look for lots of caddis out and about, especially in the evening. You should definitely have some dryfly action on The Bitterroot today, but bring you big box of dries, 'cause it's hard to say exactly what they'll be wanting in the suddenly 80 + degree weather.

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

FLIES: Extended body drakes in a 10 or 12, parachute adams in both larger sizes for the drakes and march browns and in smaller sizes for baetis. 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...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING THEN CLEARING... HIGHS 77 TO 83 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 42 TO 47 TUESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 83 TO 88 TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 43 TO 48 WEDNESDAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 86 TO 92 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 43 TO 48 THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 86 TO 91 THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 45 TO 50... HIGHS 86 TO 92. FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 45 TO 50... HIGHS 82 TO 89

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Blackfoot River - June 21st, 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]]

REPORTS: The Blackfoot continues to fish well in spite of the convoy of floating washtubs and inflatable sea horses. The upper river has been slower than down low in general. There have been LOTS of salmonflies, drakes and goldens as well bigger caddis. Larger dries TIGHT to the bank have been producing some nice fish as have streamers. Near Bonner, the flow this morning is 2170.

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...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING THEN CLEARING... HIGHS 77 TO 83 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 42 TO 47 TUESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 83 TO 88 TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 43 TO 48 WEDNESDAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 86 TO 92 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 43 TO 48 THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 86 TO 91 THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 45 TO 50... HIGHS 86 TO 92. FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 45 TO 50... HIGHS 82 TO 89.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Fishing unusual patterns that the fish have probably not seen much of will go a long way to moving bigger fish. How many of those fatties do you think have already been stuck by Rogue Stones?

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Clark Fork River - June 21st, 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=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 hatches will intensify throughout the day with scores of PMDs and green drakes. There will also be a showing of caddis that'll keep the action going right up until dark tonight. In the hot and sunny weather, expect to have the fish looking more for the big junk like golden stones and generalized attractor patterns like madam Xs and Tarrantulas. While you're not liable to have the quality of dryfly fishing today that there was only a couple of days ago in the clouds, once this river acclimates to the sunny weather, it'll swing again. That should be VERY soon.

HATCHES: Caddis, march browns (still), green drakes, giant golden stones, salmonflies, PMDs.

FLIES: Tan or yellow buggers. Large prince nymphs and bright red San Juan worms, Rogue stones (orange and gold), button emerger green drakes, drake cripples, extended body drakes, elk hairs and Goddards in a #12, smaller parachute Adams (like a 16 or 18).

WEATHER: TODAY...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING THEN CLEARING... HIGHS 77 TO 83 TONIGHT...CLEAR... LOWS 42 TO 47 TUESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 83 TO 88 TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 43 TO 48 WEDNESDAY...SUNNY... HIGHS 86 TO 92 WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 43 TO 48 THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 86 TO 91 THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 45 TO 50... HIGHS 86 TO 92. FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 45 TO 50... HIGHS 82 TO 89.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If the mayfly action is less than stellar, go to big attractors with flashback p-tail droppers. Look for the heat to really get the evening caddis going.
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Missouri River - June 21st, 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=Missouri+River"][#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]]

REPORTS: Off and on clouds today with better action during periods of clouds. Imagine that. Look for the fish to be up and eating smaller mayfly offerings along with the caddis by midday. A number 16 Goddard with the antennae clipped is still doing good things for us. It's also time to start thinking about hoppers again (we had some stellar hopper action on the Mo over a month ago before the last cold front set in). In general, a #14 to #18 wulff, cripple or parachute Adams should get it done on most risers. Trailing a small Goddard off the back will increase your odds pretty dramatically. The bright sun has slowed the streamer action, but in certain runs, the nymphing will reamain gonzo even in the bright conditions. The bigger (#14) pink and grey scuds with red San Juan worms have been doing evil things in these waist deep riffles. You should have good fishing on the Mo today. Your Smith River numbers are sure looking better than a week ago!

HATCHES: Midges, blue wings, hoppers, caddis.

FLIES: Yellow poxy head buggers, green and chartreuse buggers, size 16 and 18 cripples and parachute patterns. Ray Charles, eggs, size 16 to 20 flashback p-tails, lightning bugs, RS2's, red San Juan worms, pink and grey scuds (pinks in 16s and 18s and greys all the way up to a #12). For the dries, try palaminos in red, tiny comparaduns, size 18 cream colored cripples and parachute Adams, Griffith's gnats in 14 to 18, button emergers in 16s to 20s.

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Rock Creek - June 21st, 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: Same junk different day! The fishing continues to be very steady throughout the day. It's going to be warm today so look for the goldens to fly up top and the caddis to pop as well. When you're fishing the goldens (or even salmonflies for that matter), keep the ties SMALL and low rider profile. Rock Creek has been very solid in both sunny and cloudy conditions, so no matter what the weather has in store, this time of the year Rock Creek's a no-brainer! Smaller yellow stimi chew toys and para madam X patterns with droppers have been the devil up here recently. Today's flow on Rock Creek near Clinton is 738 cfs.

HATCHES: Midges, caddis, green drakes, salmonflies, golden stones, PMDs.

FLIES: Bigger attractor or stonefly dries with red San Juan worm droppers. 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. Slow moving streamers will also be a good option. Larger stonefly nymphs with bright red San Juan worm droppers.

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Yellowstone River - June 16th, 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]]

After a period of warmer temperatures and over 2 inches of rain last week, flows on the Yellowstone jumped up to over 13,000 cfs last week. After that rain moved through the system, the river has been dropping and clearing steadily. As of today, the flows on the river are about 8000 cfs, and it has cleared to about 1 1/2 - 2' of visibility, plenty for nymph and streamer fishing.

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Yellowstone National Park Rivers - June 16th, 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]]

We continue to hear very good reports on the Firehole. There have been hatches of PMDs and caddis on the flat water sections, and there have been salmonflies in the Canyon.

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Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - June 16th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"][#0000ff]Yellowstone Angler[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Armstrong Spring Creek (O'Hair Ranch), Nelson's Spring Creek, DePuy's Spring Creek

The Pale Morning Dun hatch, the first of the major summer hatches, has started on the Paradise Valley spring creeks.

The hatches have not been heavy, but we have started to see at least some PMDs each day. The emergence is producing good nymph and emerger fishing, and dun patterns will become more important as the hatches get heavier.

Because the fish are seeing the nymphs ofboth PMDs and Sulfurs, nymph fishing is very productive. Good pattern choices include Pheasant Tails, Sawyer Style Pheasant Tails, George's Copper Drake Nymph, and a new pattern for us this season, the Olive Epoxy Biot Nymph, all in #16-18. Fish these under a small foam or yarn indicator, or try sight fishing without an indicator.

Try fishing a variety of PMD emergers in the early stages of the hatch, as you see fish rising to take mayflies in the film. Some of our favorites include René Harrop's Biot Body Cripples, CDC Floating Nymphs, and PMD Sprout Emergers.

Midge hatches will continue to provide some surface action on the spring creeks. There is usually some emergence mid-morning and again late in the afternoon and early evening. During the hatch, try fishing a variety of surface emergers like René Harrop's CDC Biot Midge Emergers and our Z-lon tailed CDC Midge Emerger. These small gray midge emergers can be tough to see, but you can always use these in combination with a more visible pattern like a CDC Hanging Midge, or simply fish them with a small yarn indicator.

The fish feed heavily on both midge larvae and midge pupae as well as surface emergers, so be sure to have some of these in your box. The Miracle Nymph, Green Krystal Midge Larva, and any of the Lace or Epoxy Head Midge Larva patterns can be very effective.

Now that the weather has turned warmer and brighter, small terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles will also be effective. Best sizes are #14-18

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Gallatin River - June 14th, 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]]

The flows at the Ennis Powerhouse are 1860 C.F.S. These flows are down from the high flow of over 3000 C.F.S. on Friday. We recieved an awesome amount of rain on Thursday and Friday which pushed the flows up very high. The flows have dropped over the weekend and the fishing was very good for those who ventured out to the river over the weekend. The Salmonfly hatch is taperin off with most of the hatch activity taking place well up into the Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness area. The fishing near the powerhouse and dam with big bugs will be your best bet for the next couple of days. If you are fishing the lower reaches of the Canyon or downstream of the Canyon you will want to concentrate your efforts on streamers or matching the hatch with the adult insects that are flying around. The Crayfish are molting and thus the large fish have really keyed in on them. Fish the crayfish patterns trailed with yukl bugs and Ugly bugs on and indicator. When you are in deeper water dead drift the flies and when you are in the shallower water give the fly some movement. The higher flows have pushed some fish to the banks which in return make the fish chase down a streamer pattern when it is stripped. If you are into the dry fly action look for a great hatch of caddis as well as PMD's. The caddis are hatching throughout the day and the PMD's have been comming off between noon and 2 pm. There are also some Yellowsallies and larger adult goldenstones hatching as well. You can try fishing a large salmonfly pattern if you would like because a few fish may have the large flies still stuck in their heads from the prior weeks hatch. If you are looking for the adult salmonflies it is time to head to the upper river where I would expect to see the hatch start later in the week.



Fly Pattern Suggestions :Terranasty #4-6, Rogue Foam Stone #4, Golden Chernobly Ant #6, Norm Woods Special #6, Parachute Adams #14-16, Royal Wulff #12-16, Parachute PMD #14-16 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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Madison River - Upper - June 14th, 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 Kirby Ranch are 900 C.F.S. The river is clearing below the West Fork and the fishing is heating up on the lower river close to Ennis. The river is dirty green and in good shape for fishing. There have been no adults as of yet, however we are very close to seeing the adults on the river near Ennis. The big nymphs are working their way to the banks and we may see some adults start to hatch by mid week. The weather forecast looks good for the hatch to start sometime this week and if you can take anytime off from work you may want to try and get out. Flows are on the low side but it should not hender the early fishing on the lower portions of the upper. We may also see the power company let out some water as the rainbow fry begin to emerge from the gravel. This is an ongoing project that the power company has been working on to try and manage the Whirling Disease issue on the Madison river. The flows have been low because they are storing water to release when the fry come out of the gravel. If you would like more information on the project visit the Whirling Disease Foundation website or email for extra details.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: Black CH Buggers #2-6, Black Beauty #2-6, CH Bow Bugger #2-6, Yuk Bug #2-6, Ugly Bug #4-8 Egg Patterns, San Juan Worms, BH Prince #8-12, Griffith's Gnat #16-18, Mother Shucker #20, Red Midge Larvae #18-20

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