Recent Fishing Reports for Montana. 9/26/04

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[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. They will be displayed from oldest to newest. Always check the bottom of the thread for the newest information. [/size]
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Gallatin River - September 19th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]click here[/url]]
Gallatin River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Gallatin_River__1114924459385_0_97.1900024414063.aspx"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

Flows at Gallatin Gateway are 463 C.F.S. Fishing has been very good on the Gallatin over the past two weeks. Times are changing a bit on the Gallatin as the hatch activity moves back to water born insects and away from the land born terrestrial insects. Look for hatches of Baetis and a large olive mayfly that is very similiar to a green drake. The best days for finding hatches are the rainy overcast days. Bright sunshine will provide some late season terrestrial fishing along with a smaller hatch of baetis and psuedocleons that last for only a short period during the middle of the day. You will also still see a few caddis hatching in the late afternoon hours and the fish are still interested in comming up to a stimulator or trude pattern. If you are looking for a large brown trout and are willing to put in the time and lack of numbers of fish try fishing the lower portions of the river with large streamer patterns fished deep with sinking tip lines or shooting heads. The fall is the time to catch the large browns but you do have make some sacrafice in trying to obtain that fish of a lifetime.



Fly Pattern Suggestions: Parachute Adams #14-18, BWO Thorax #14-18, BWO Parachute #16-18, Comparadun #14-18, Sparkle Dun #14-18, Royal Wulff #14-16, Hatch Master #16-18, Downy Dun #14-16, Royal Trude #12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, BH Pheasant Tail #12-16, Red Copper John #14-18, Masterbaetis #14-16, Pearl Spitfire #14-16, Lightning Bug #14-16, Hotwire Mayfly #14-16, Idlywilde Parachute Hopper #6-8, BC Hopper #6-8, Kingfisher Hopper #6-8, Parachute Ant #14-16, Flying Beetle #12-14, Orange Blossom Special #4-6, BHRL Flashabugger #4-6.

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Beaverhead River - September 20th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Fair
The Flows at Barrett's Diversion Dam are at 44 C.F.S. The river is very low and there are no plans to see the water flow increase until next year. The flows are too low to float the river so if you are planning a trip over to the river leave the boat at home. The browns are starting to migrate upstream towards the dam and you will find that your catch will consist of many more browns than rainbows this time of year. There has been little word about the craneflies this year on the river, however this is the time of year that you generally see the big whirly birds flying early in the morning and late at night. You can expect to see some Baetis as well as psuedocleons hatching as well and keep your eye out for rising fish. Streamers are very good on the Beaverhead and with the numbers of browns in the river it is a good bet for this time of year.

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Big Hole River - September 20th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/url]
FISHING: Good
The Flows on the Bighole at Melrose are above average at 361 C.F.S. There are still some tricos flying around on the river. Psudeocleons and baetis are also starting to hatch throughout the river system. Streamer fishing on the Bighole can be some of the best in the world and if the weather is right stripping big flies can produce a very nice fish. Dry dropper rigs are also very good on the Bighole this time of year and you can have a good number of fish come up to general attractor patterns fished in the seams and along the riffle drop offs throughout the river. This is a great time of year to be on the Bighole as there are very few anglers and the scenery on the river once the leaves start to change color is amazing.



Fly Pattern Suggestions :Trico Thorax #18-22, Trico Spinner #18-22, BH Trico Spinner #18-20, Parachute Pheasant Tail #16-18, Molly Hopper #6-8, Parachute Hopper #6-8Yellow 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 - September 20th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]click here][/url]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"]click here[/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"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

The flows at Kirby Ranch are 1000 C.F.S. We have still been getting some fish to eat hoppers with a dropper off the back. Large beetle patterns and ant patterns are also taking some fish. There is not a large october caddis hatch on the upper madison river, however the fish have been eating a large tan or orange caddis pupae on a regular basis. Hatch activity has been slow on the lower portions of the upper madison and if you are looking for more match the hatch type of fishing head for the very upper reaches near the slide inn and 3 dollar bridge. This area of the river has more spring influence and consistent water temps from Hebgen lake, thus producing more hatch activity. There are still some caddis out as well as a hodge podge of mayflys. Terrestrial fishing has been good and the late fall beetle fishing can be very good in this part of the Madison. Streamers are also starting to produce a few fish on the upper river and can be worth the effort if you hook into one of the large fish that call the madison home.

Fly Pattern Suggestions: 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, Chernobly Hopper #8-10, Daves Hopper #8-10, Chubby Chernobly #6-8, Foam Flying Ant #12-14.

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Madison River - Lower - September 20th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=86,re"]Montana Troutfitters[/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"]click here[/url]]
Madison River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/q_Madison_River__1115074459269_0_131.90299987793.aspx"]click here[/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"]click here[/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"]click here[/url]]

The flows at the Ennis Powerhouse are 1290 C.F.S. The lower Madison has been providing some of the best fishing in the area over the last few weeks. The Crayfish have been molting and the fish are definetly keying in on them with beacuse of the softer shell and the hearty meal that they provide the trout. Baetis activity really kicked off on Sunday the 12th and we should see some solid baetis activity for the next few weeks. The weather will be a big factor in the hatch and try and get out on the overcast days with high humidty and even some rain or snow showers. The higher humidity makes it tougher for the insects to dry their wings and get off the water. Bright sunny days will see a smaller hatch that will only last for a short period of time. There has also been some psuedocleons hatching as well and they are really nothing more than a smaller baetis. Scientifically they are different but in the eye of the trout there is not much difference other than size. You may also see a large white mayfly hatching which is called an efron leucon, probably the wrong spelling, these large mayflies will be available to the trout however I personally have not had much success trying to imitate them. The streamer acitivity is very productive when the insects are not hatching due to the crayfish molt. We have had good success with both a stripped fly as well as dead drifting them behind a strike indicator. The most productive techingue for numbers is to dead drift the crayfish patterns and trail them with a small bead head mayfly or caddis larvae off the back. Stripping the fly will generally produce larger fish, but not as many. Give both techiniques a try and see which works best for you.



Fly Pattern Suggestions : Bow River Bugger #6-8, Rat Sculpin #6, Brown Bugger #4-6, Orange Blossom Special #4-6, Bunny Crayfish #4-6, JJ Special #4-6, BH Lightning Bug #12-16, BH Copper John #14-16, Peacock Anatomay #12-16, BH Pheasant Tail #12-16, King Prince #12-14, Parachute Adams #14-20, BWO Thorax #14-18, Hackle Stacker #16-20, Tilt Wing Dun #16-18, RS2 #16-20.

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Paradise Valley Spring Creeks - September 22nd, 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
With fall weather comes fall hatches, and this last week's cool, cloudy weather brought much better hatches and better fishing. There were good numbers of Baetis and midges, along with a few late PMDs.

Mid-September produces a very good morning midge hatch on the spring creeks, and anglers report a second emergence in the late afternoon. 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, but they are especially effective in the hours prior to a midge hatch. 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 last week's cloudy weather, and we heard excellent reports from yesterday (9/19), as the clouds and showers returned with the arrival of another front. 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.

Small terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles will be a more important part of the daily mix of fishing techniques if warm weather returns. Best sizes are #14-18. If the wind kicks up in the afternoon, try larger terrestrials like hoppers or crickets.

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Bighorn River - September 22nd, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=91,re"]Yellowstone Angler[/url]
FISHING: Fair
The Bighorn River is extremely low, cold and crystal clear. There have been hatches of black caddis and Baetis, and the dry fly fishing should improve with the return of cloudy weather. r's

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Yellowstone National Park Rivers - September 22nd, 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]]

As long as they clear, all of the streams in the northern end of the Park, including Slough Creek, the Lamar River, and Soda Butte Creek, will offer good dry fly fishing on through most of September.

Many Park regulars think the hatches of "fall drakes" in mid-September provide some of the best dry fly fishing of the season. 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 weatherman is predicting the return of warmer temperatures in a few days, and if this happens, there should be one last shot of terrestrial fishing in the Park. Even after a few frosts, there will be plenty of surviving terrestrial insects, including ants, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, etc.

Some of the spots in the Park that start to fish better in the fall are doing well now. These include the Firehole, the Madison in the Park, and the lower Gardner.

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Yellowstone River - September 22nd, 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]]

We had more rain in Yellowstone Park last week, and water conditions on the river have been variable all week. The river was off-color for a couple of days, but the river came back in shape this weekend. A cold front arrived yesterday afternoon, bringing heavy overcast and rain, and the streamer and Baetis fishing was very good. As always, be sure to call or e-mail us for updates on weather and water conditions.

Guide Brian Sienkowski and Tom Bailey with big Yellowstone rainbow As long as cool, cloudy conditions persist, streamer fishing will be one of the most effective techniques on the Yellowstone. 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, now that cloud cover will be 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.

Cool, showery days have also triggered the first of the fall Baetis hatches on the Yellowstone. Reports from the cloudy days this last week were very good. Bright conditions will minimize these 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.

If we do see a return of brighter weather, anglers should try larger attractors in tandem with a small bead head nymph, the technique that has become a standard technique for most anglers on the Yellowstone. Most anglers have used a hopper or "hopperish" attractor as the top fly in the last several weeks, but the arrival of fall weather means a big Royal Trude or Royal Wulff may be a better choice. 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.

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Rock Creek - September 24th, 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: You can expect the fishing to be good from top to bottom again today. Look for the warmer, sunny weather to do good things for the dryfly action on Rock Creek. Expect to do well today on everything from big attractor/terrestrials to smaller baetis and mahoganies to scary lookin' streamer patterns. The streamer action on the lower river has picked up dramatically and has been producing some larger fish. Bring your October caddis dries, Rock Creek's going to be good this weekend!

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: UPDATED CLOUD COVER THIS MORNING TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOCAL FOG MAINLY MISSOULA AND LOWER BITTERROOT VALLEY THIS MORNING. BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY BY MIDDAY. HIGHS 66 TO 72. TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 35 TO 42. SATURDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 73 TO 78 SATURDAY NIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 38 TO 44. SUNDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 74 TO 79

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Missouri River - September 24th, 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: The sudden and direct sun probably won't help matters much on the Mo for the next day or so, especially after these fish have been used to cloudy, drizzly weather. Dropping small flasback p-tails, lightning bugs, etc... off the back of larger offerings is probably going to be your best bet at sticking surface wary fish today, and overcoming algae in the process. The shallower runs will likely still be a good option for fish feeding on spinner falls for maybe an hour or two around 11 to 1. Expect the fish to move out of these feeding slots big time once the spinners are gone and the sun's up. As the algae begins to break up and drift away here in the next few weeks, this river will become one of our fall favorites.

HATCHES: tricos,pseudos,mahoganies, 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. The brown buggers in the shallows have begun working for us again recently.

WEATHER: TODAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 70 TO 75...60 TO 70 IN THE MOUNTAINS WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 40 TO 45...30 TO 35 IN THE MOUNTAINS SOUTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH. SATURDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 70 TO 80...60 TO 65 IN THE MOUNTAINS. SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. SATURDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 40 TO 45... WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. SUNDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 70 TO 75... WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH

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Clark Fork River - September 24th, 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: Water levels on the entire river are stable or dropping in earnest at this point. Even with the change in weather pattern we're supposed to see today, I'd expect to have good fishing on The Clark Fork, particularly the lower stretches. There might be a day or two lull in the mid river sections until the fish get used to the unusual shiny object in the sky, but overall, the fishing should still be solid. Expect more diversity in the patterns that'll be productive today as well. Everything from hecubas to hoppers should work by midday. Buggers should also continue to be a solid option, particularly in the morning before the sun's directly on the water. If the fish get snotty about rising, punish 'em with the worm dropper. Remember that fall sun isn't as big a factor as July sun due to the lower in the sky angle this time of year. The sudden change may put a wrinkle in their bonnet for a very short period (maybe not), but bright fall sun once they're used to it is a non issue.

HATCHES: hecubas, baetis, mahoganies, giant golden stones, 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: UPDATED CLOUD COVER THIS MORNING TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOCAL FOG MAINLY MISSOULA AND LOWER BITTERROOT VALLEY THIS MORNING. BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY BY MIDDAY. HIGHS 66 TO 72. TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 35 TO 42. SATURDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 73 TO 78 SATURDAY NIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 38 TO 44. SUNDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 74 TO 79

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Blackfoot River - September 24th, 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: This shift in weather pattern will probably help The Blackfoot much more than any other river in the area. Look for the October caddis to be much more active in the warmer weather and expect the hoppers to once again be viable. By mid afternoon, the fish will be willing to surface aggressively for skittering October caddis, bigger mayfly patterns and higher riding attractors. Ant droppers are one of my favorite poisons on this river during the fall. Smaller pheasant tail droppers are also a very good choice if the fish get lazy on top. Look for your best fishing to be from about 1 until 4:30 on top. Mine the trenches with tandem nymph rigs or streamers before things warm up. This can be streamer heaven up here this time of the year, too, and diciplined consistancy throughout the day could hook you up with one of your biggest fish of the year.

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: UPDATED CLOUD COVER THIS MORNING TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOCAL FOG MAINLY MISSOULA AND LOWER BITTERROOT VALLEY THIS MORNING. BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY BY MIDDAY. HIGHS 66 TO 72. TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 35 TO 42. SATURDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 73 TO 78 SATURDAY NIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 38 TO 44. SUNDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 74 TO 79

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Bitterroot River - September 24th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Great
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]]

[b]REPORTS: The water is still dropping along the entire river and the hatches continue to be intense. They're calling for mostly sunny skies by midday today, so this'll be a radical switch in the weather from the last week and a half. This might mean that the fish will begin looking at bigger bugs again (like hoppers, stoneflies, etc...) or it might mean that the fishing will slow down for a day or two while the fish adjust to the new weather pattern. It's the 'root, who knows. I'd bet on good fishing with a bigger variety of bugs once the sun's out. Look for hecubas and parachute madam x patterns to continue their rampage. The upper river, at this point, is fishing exceptionally well with streamers.

HATCHES: Midges, caddis, yellow sallies, giant goldens, hecubas, 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: UPDATED CLOUD COVER THIS MORNING TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOCAL FOG MAINLY MISSOULA AND LOWER BITTERROOT VALLEY THIS MORNING. BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY BY MIDDAY. HIGHS 66 TO 72. TONIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... CLEAR IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 35 TO 42. SATURDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 73 TO 78 SATURDAY NIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 38 TO 44. SUNDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 74 TO 79 FRIDAY NIGHT...PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT... MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 39 TO 45. SATURDAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING... PARTLY CLOUDY... HIGHS 73 TO 78. SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 38 TO 45... HIGHS 70 TO 78. MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 35 TO 41 HIGHS 71 TO 76. [/b]

[tubeN2]

to be continued..........