I’ve been way too busy guiding in July to post fishing reports. Before the season got underway I predicted the best dry or die season since 1997. After fishing Salmon Fly and Goldenstone Dries for over 3 weeks; it has been an incredible run of the dry fly bite for me. Now we are into August and still have Caddis, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Ants, Cicadas, Spruce Moths, and Hoppers; so Hang ON!!!! With the Yellowstone and other rivers starting to fish, the pressure should be dissipating. Our flows are holding above normal and night time temps are cool; perfect conditions for hatches; the bite and the hope of a big time hopper hatch. We have also enjoyed visiting with so many friends who are back for their summer adventures. Thank you to all for the fun experiences and the support of our museum/adventure store. We bought tons of new bugs and are fully stocked for the hatches. Enjoy the photos of our friends we fished with these past few weeks.

Dan

It’s Salmonfly and Golden Stone Time!

The fishing with big dries has been epic this last week.  Everything came together after weeks of waiting: the flows dropped, the water cleared, the salmonflies moved up the river, and the fish started looking up.  The fish are also eating golden stone patterns and caddis are happening as well.

The salmonflies are all the way from McAtee to Lyons in the float section and well up into the wade section.  Lots of different patterns are working.  If you can find them, grab some Morrish’s Fluttering Stone–Salmon Fly or Dornan Water Walker Salmon Fly #6.  We’ve also been having good results on the Delektable Twisted Sister Orange/Brown #4. Again, several varieties are working: half drown Salmon Flies; floating one; and sinking ones. For the golden stones, try a Half Down Golden Stone.  The Delektable Halo Tan #16 has been good for caddis and caddis emergers. Nymphing has also been successful with Goldenstones, Stones, Caddis Nymphs, Caddis Emergers, and Yellow Sallies. We added tons of new patterns to the shop this year so stop by and explore the fly cases for all the goodies.

Caution!! The flows remain high– 2,840 at Varney Bridge.  These high flows have been getting folks into trouble. The Salmon fly hatch has caused more boat traffic and the traffic at bridges can be a challenge. >This week two boats swamped at Wolf Creek bridge within just three days.  Fortunately, everyone who was in the boats is OK.  If you are not an excellent oarsman and familiar with the currents at the Wolf Creek Bridge at these high flows, walk your boat under the bridge on the left bank. Look ahead and plan before approaching all bridges.

Also, remember that these crowds can make shuttles unavailable relatively early in the day.  It is best to arrange your shuttle the day before or early in the morning if you can. 

Looking ahead, we should be have an amazing season.  The water will be more than adequate.  The small dries will intensify as the weather warms.  Terrestrial Time should be great.  There is a tremendous amount of grass in the Valley and there are a lot of little hoppers around.  The season may have started late, but it should be a great one.  If you haven’t already done it, make your plans.

Brad and Nancy

Salmonfly Dries Now Working Above McAtee

The water has cleared enough now that the the fish can see through a good distance of water, they are looking up, and are hitting salmonfly dries.  There were a lot of salmonflies in the air today between Ruby Creek and Storey Ditch.  This nice brown was caught on a dry just downstream from the Beartooth Fly Shop, above McAtee Bridge. 

Big, dark nymphs, as noted in Dan’s report below, were also working.  As the river continues to clear and the salmonflies move upstream, things should continue to get better, even maybe get really good.

Brad

Week including July 10, 2011

The river is decidedly more dirty towards Ennis and shows better clarity as you go up towards Quake Lake. This week more folks explored up and down the river and found fish. The flows are down some and the clarity is improving daily. There is still faster than usual flows and debris coming down with it. Please use caution wading and getting under the bridges on the upper river. The majority of the activity continues to be on wet bugs even though the Salmon Flies are in the neighborhood. The hot flies lately have been #4 and #6 Delektable Stoners, Pat’s Rubberleg Brown, and Golden Stones as the top bug with a variety of Caddis nymphs, and Yellow Sally nymphs as the trailer. The big bugs are in our back yard and as the water gets more clear, you will see more activity on the dries but it is not happening just yet. We are days away from the dry or die action. Nice fish have been caught but all of them from wet flies so far. The pictures show it all.

Dan