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Last Updated: 6/27/2008 The Yellowstone | Spring Creeks | Madison | Private/Local Lakes
Yellowstone RiverCFS @ Lamar River | CFS @ Corwin Springs | CFS @ Carter's
Caution is right... CFS has dropped a bit from 26,900 to 23,200. The Lower Maddy is where most boats are headed for now. The Yellowstone is still raging and too muddy to fish. It looks like the Yellowstone has peaked at for the third time at 26,900 CFS. Although the river has dropped to 23,200 CFS, it is still way to muddy and high for recreational floating. The stretch from Carter's Bridge to Mayor's Landing is actually closed due to the problems with the 9th street bridge. The Fire Chief said that FWP may opt to keep that stretch of the river closed as long as the failed section of 9th St. Bridge is still there and sagging, for safety reasons. There are several opinions when the Yellowstone will be fishing and if there will be any Salmonfly fishing at all on the Stone. Most old timers say forget about it. Glass half-full folks have fingers crossed for a foot of visibility around July 10th - and hopefully a few Salmonflies still around the upper Yellowstone before they enter the park. With snow pack decreasing the way it has been, it looks like the Yellowstone should be fishing in 3 to 4 weeks. It will probably be "fishable" before that, but it is hard to put clients on a river that is less than 2-3 feet of visibility.
We'll be on the look out for Salmonflies early this year, but right now our guess for the hatch will occur during muddy water. Fish will probably be eating big nymphs here in a couple of weeks, but it will be tough rowing and possibly dangerous...
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks The PMD's are finally popping on the creeks now. The first PMD’s of the season to appear are the largest – the Ephemerella Infrequens, which are imitated with duns that average size 16 but often look as large as 14’s. Rene’ Harrop’s PMD No-Hackle in a size 16 with a big gray wing silhouette and pale olive body is a perfect imitation. For more information check out George's PMD article.
A few customers of ours fished the Armstrong's on 6/20 and had a banner day. They said it was the first day that the PMD hatch was thick, and that the fish were taking in duns quite well. Earlier in the week they had better luck on ants then PMD's. It looks like the best fishing on the creeks is finally here. During this period, angler's will experience blanket PMD hatches and some of the very best dry fly fishing in the state. Although the creeks are almost always booked from June 20th until July 15, cancellations do occur and we can help get you on the "backup" list...
The MadisonCFS Below Ennis Lake near McAllister
It's official - Salmonflies are in the house. CFS is hanging around 3,370, which means we should have some good fishing. Don't expect to be alone however... Once the Salmonfly dries get going there's going to be some traffic. For now the focus is on salmonfly nymphs. Stock up on rubber legs variations like Hogan's Rock 'N Roller, a big orange and black Pat's rubberleg, Bitch Creeks, Black real Stones, Flashback Mega princes, and the like. Might as well fish a salmonfly dry for your indicator, dropping your nymph about 4 feet off the dry. This rig won't be easy to cast but you're hook up rate should be better fishing this way. Crayfish and Sculpin are still working as well, so streamer fisherman can always dead drift with a rubber leg dropper. Looks like the forecast for this week is calling for 78 and possible thunderstorms in the afternoons. Bright days on the Lower can be brutal, so watch the weather and if it looks bright go early or fish late.
The Real Black Stone is a great Salmonfly nymph pattern. If you roll some rocks and find some nymphs, you'll notice how dark they are - almost black. Search through your box of big bugs and see what you have that looks similar - as long as you put the fly in the right spot and get a good drift, you should be action.
Local and Private Lakes
Although the PMD's on the creeks have produced some awesome fishing, local and private lakes are still producing the biggest fish. Lakes aren't for everyone, and we realize that, but for those who enjoy lake fishing give us a call. With all the high and muddy water around SW montana, the private lakes are booking up quickly, so the sooner you can call us the better. 406-222-7130.
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Related Links: Archived Fishing Reports
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