Recent Fishing Reports for Montana. 8/04/04

[tubeN2]

[size 1]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]
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Yellowstone River - August 3rd, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Great
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]]

[/url]Yellowstone River The rains in Yellowstone Park have finally tapered off, and the river cleared nicely at the end of last week.

We have finally reached normal summer fishing conditions on the Yellowstone, so the approach for most anglers is to fish a general attractor dry flies or a hopper pattern on the surface. The best attractor patterns include Tan and Royal Parachute Madam Xs and Covertibles, Stimulators, and Turck's Tarantulas in sizes 8-12. These attractors represent both grasshoppers and the mid-summer brown stones that we find on the Yellowstone at this time of year. Big black attractors have also produced well—our favorites in this category are the Black Magic and Card's Cicada.

The hopper fishing has been quite good, and it should continue to be the main focus for both anglers and the fish for the next several weeks. We carry a wide variety of hopper patterns from traditional patterns like a Dave's Hopper, Whit's Hi-Vis Hopper, and the Parachute Hopper to some of the new foam patterns like the Grand Hopper and Red Legged Hopper. It is smart to carry a variety of sizes, as some days the fish seem to prefer a larger or smaller pattern.



Fishing these attractors and hoppers in tandem with a small bead head nymph has become a standard technique for most anglers on the Yellowstone. 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.

Streamers will continue to produce in low light conditions. If you fish early or late in the day, or if you get a cloudy day, try Woolly Buggers or sculpin patterns along the banks. This is still a great way to take a big brown trout, even in mid-summer
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - August 3rd, 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
After very strong hatches of Pale Morning Dun mayflies through mid-July, the bugs have slowed down quite a bit on the Paradise Valley spring creeks in the last week or two.

Nymph fishing is the most productive method in the morning hours before the PMD hatch starts. 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. You can fish these under a dry fly, but using a small foam or yarn indicator is probably the most efficient method.

The fish often feed heavily on midge larvae in the mornings, and you may find larva patterns more effective than mayfly nymphs, especially on certain sections of the creeks. The Miracle Nymph, Green Krystal Midge Larva, and any of the Lace or Epoxy Head Midge Larva patterns can be very effective.

The PMD hatch should start around 10:30-11:00 am. In the early stages of the hatch, try fishing a variety of PMD emergers, as you see fish rising to take mayflies in the film. Some of our favorites include René Harrop's Biot Body Cripples (in the Parachute, CDC or Hairwing versions), CDC Transitional Duns, and PMD Sprout Emergers. Once the fish start keying on duns, some of the best patterns include PMD No Hackles, Biot Sparkle Duns, Comparaduns, and CDC Biot Parachutes.

Morning PMD spinner falls have been light, and the hatch has tapered off enough that the evening spinner falls will not be that consistent. The best spinner pattern is either a Harrop Pale Olive Biot Spinner in #16 or 18 or a Rusty Spinner in #18. Even if you don't encounter heavy spinner falls, the spinner silhouette is familiar enough to the fish that you can fish a spinner pattern as a "searching pattern" during non-hatch periods.

The Sulfur hatch is still going strong, but it has not been consistent day to day. On some days, it has been quite strong, but other days it has been surprisingly sparse. This hatch starts in late afternoon/early evening, usually starting around 4:30 or 5:00 pm. During this hatch, the fish really key on emergers, and don't eat many duns until late in the hatch. Some of the best emergers include the Parachute Sulfur Emerger, Hairwing Biot Body Cripple, Swimming Sulfur, and CDC Transitional Dun, all in #20-22. As the hatch winds down, the fish will pick off more duns, and at this point, a Sulfur No Hackle or Sulfur Comparadun will work very well.

Midge hatches will continue to provide some surface action on the spring creeks. Some of the best fishing has been late in the afternoon, in the period just before the Sulfur hatch. The midges can be difficult to spot, so watch riseforms in the afternoon to determine whether the fish are eating Sulfurs or less obvious midges.

During midge hatches, try fishing any of the CDC surface emergers like René Harrop's CDC Biot Midge Emergers and our Z-lon tailed CDC Midge Emerger.

Now that the summer mayfly hatches have tapered off, small terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles will be a more important part of the daily mix of fishing techniques. Best sizes are #14-18. If the wind kicks up in the afternoon, try larger terrestrials like hoppers or crickets.
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Yellowstone National Park Rivers - August 3rd, 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]]

[/url]Yellowstone National Park Slough Creek has offered the most consistent fishing in our end of the Park over the last week or two, as rains in the Park that have limited the fishing on the Lamar and Soda Butte Creek. The fish in these streams have not seen much pressure, so they should fish extremely well this season.

There are still a few PMDs on these streams, but terrestrials will provide much of the dry fly fishing on these Park waters in the next few weeks. These meadow streams support a wide variety of terrestrial insects, including ants, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, etc. While most anglers prefer to fish hoppers, as they are easy to see, the smaller terrestrials will often be more productive, especially on the easily accessed areas of these waters, where the fish see quite a bit of angling pressure.

If you stay into the evening, the Lamar and Soda Butte also get good hatches of caddis. On Slough Creek, look for hatches of caddis, but there are also often good midge hatches on Slough that will require smaller flies and lighter tippets.
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Bitterroot River - August 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=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]]

REPORTS: The Bitterroot continues to be the best local option. The cooler water from Painted Rocks is helping keep water temps down enough that fishing has been good most of the day. There have been PMD’s out and tricos in the mornings but the fish have been all over the big attractor and hopper patterns. The lower river is seeing higher afternoon water temps, SOOOO, if your going to fish below Tucker you should plan on getting on early and getting off before the heat of the day.

HATCHES: Midges, caddis, yellow sallies, giant goldens, PMDs,terrestrials.

FLIES: Golden stones of several varities such as Rogue, parachute madam Xs, or bulletheads. Parachute adams are always a good standby on this river in sizes 12 to 18. There will be lots of PMDs now, so have appropriately sized comparaduns, thorax ties, button emergers, etc... Have some Goddard and elk hair caddis for the evening hatch. Keep some smaller green and red bodied nymphs such as brassies if the fish won't play on top.

WEATHER: Today. Isolated mainly dry thunderstorms in the afternoon. Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs 91 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of mainly dry thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Lows 51 to 56. Monday. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 94. Monday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows 52 to 58. Tuesday through Wednesday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 48 to 55. Thursday and Thursday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 81 to 86. Lows 47 to 54.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We've been keeping our guided trips pretty much a morning 1/2 day deal due to warming water temperatures in the afternoon and especially the evening/early nighttime hours.
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Blackfoot River - August 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=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]]

REPORTS: The Blackfoot fished well yesterday on top with big red attractor patterns picking up a few fatties. However, as water levels continue to fall, we are moving most of our trips to other rivers in a cooperative effort to protect this fragile fishery. We will stop guiding on this river all together when flows near the 600 cfs . For now, though, keep your fishing early in the day and plan on being off early. The lower river will be very crowded by about 11 a.m. with tubers.

HATCHES: Caddis,tricos, golden stones, PMDs, terrestrials.

FLIES: Golden stones (both giant and yellow sallie), button emerger and cripple mayfly patterns, #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. Isolated mainly dry thunderstorms in the afternoon. Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs 91 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of mainly dry thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Lows 51 to 56. Monday. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 94. Monday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows 52 to 58. Tuesday through Wednesday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 48 to 55. Thursday and Thursday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 81 to 86. Lows 47 to 54.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Stick to the upper reaches of The Blackfoot today for better fishing and less company.
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Clark Fork River - August 1st, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/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"]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: The Clark Fork fished ok yesterday on hoppers and golden stones. We’ve also seen tricos out but not en force. This river is getting very warm by early afternoon, if your going to fish it get on early and be off the river by noon or 1. Once water temps get into the high 60’s low 70’s the fish, while still willing to eat, become so stressed when hooked that their surviving the encounter becomes tough.

HATCHES: Caddis, tricos, giant golden stones, PMDs, terrestrials.

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. Isolated mainly dry thunderstorms in the afternoon. Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs 91 to 96. Tonight. Slight chance of mainly dry thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Lows 51 to 56. Monday. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 89 to 94. Monday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows 52 to 58. Tuesday through Wednesday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 84 to 90. Lows 48 to 55. Thursday and Thursday night. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Highs 81 to 86. Lows 47 to 54.
[signature]

[tubeN2]

Missouri River - August 1st, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Fair
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Missouri+River"]click here[/url]]
Missouri River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Missouri_River__1039825479786_1586.77905273438_2312.46704101563.aspx"]click here[/url]]

REPORTS: When the wind lays down the early morning trico fishing has been very good. As the tricos get sparse by late morning look for hoppers and terrestrials to keep you hooked up. Capping off the days has been a great caddis hatch, especially on the upper stretches. The water temps this morning is 65, as we head into August look for the low flows and higher water temps to slow the fishing down.

HATCHES: PMDs, tricos, midges, hoppers, caddis.

FLIES: Subsurface it'll be the standard Mo junk like 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 comparaduns in 14s and 16s, size 18 cream colored cripples and parachute Adams, Griffith's gnats in 14 to 18, button emergers in 16s to 20s. We've also been getting lots of fish on Goddard and elk hair caddis in 14s.

WEATHER: Today. Mostly sunny. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 80 to 90. 75 to 80 in the mountains. Southwest winds around 10 mph shifting to the west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Tonight. Partly cloudy. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening. Lows 45 to 55. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph shifting to the southeast around 10 mph after midnight. Monday. Partly cloudy. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 75 to 85. 70 to 75 in the mountains. Southeast winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. Monday night. Partly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Lows 50 to 55. Northwest winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent. Tuesday. Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75 to 85. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. Tuesday night. Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s to lower 60s.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We're open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day in our quest to help you tease the slippery wildlife.
[signature]