Back from a minor sabbatical; feeling refreshed and ready to write anew. I highly doubt the subject matter, nor the content will really improve, but hey, for what few readers I may have out there, keep the faith. Over the past week, I have had five guide trips, and thankfully, the river has been gracious enough to lend a good number of fish on every trip. Dries of the week: Bloom's Parachute Caddis (Tan Size 16), Catpuke (Yellow/Orange Size 6-8), Green Drake (Size 12-14), Yellow Sally (Size 14-16). Nymphs of the week: Quasimodo Flashback Pheasant Tail (Size 16), Olive Soft Hackle Hare's Ear (Size 14-18), Girdlebug (Size 8-10). So here is this week's edition of the Big Sky Fishing Report featuring current river conditions for the area. Enjoy.
Wednesday, the Gallatin dropped to 1,830cfs; astonishing that no more than three weeks ago, the river was raging around 6,000cfs. Concurrently, water clarity has become dazzlingly lucid, as finally we are able to see the beauty of a refreshed river bottom. As expected, the monumental surge of water running its course down the river has significantly altered the landscape beneath its currents. New pockets and seams created, and old vanished, the river has acquired a fresh new character and mystique. Similarly, the cleansing and ablution, behooving the health of the river's ecosystem by high flows, has sustained and catalyzed a massive increase in entomological activity. Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Brown Stones, several species of Caddis, Yellow Sallies, and assorted Mayflies have invaded the Gallatin River canyon, and on up to the Taylor's Fork. Keep your eyes peeled for sporadic Green Drake hatches in the shady areas of the canyon as well. The Gallatin in the park has not yet experienced the fury of the Salmon Fly hatch, however, heavy hatches of Caddis, Yellow Sally, and assorted Mayflies are keeping fish active and feeding aggressively. Indicators have long outlived their welcome, and not only expect fishing to be excellent this week, expect to store those irksome indicators in your closet for the remainder of the season.
The Yellowstone River in the park opened July 15th, and having dropped significantly, is close to returning to its fabled reputation. Expect the river to pop within the next week. The Yellowstone out of the park is fishing better by the day, and not surprisingly, has finally begun seeing steady boat traffic. With the approach of a full fledged Salmon Fly hatch, trout on the Stone are keying in on big bugs; and though rarely feeding off the surface, they are annihilating Girdlebugs and Stonefly nymphs subsurface.
The Madison River has been swamped over the past two weeks, both Upper and Lower. With the hardy Salmon Fly hatch creeping its way up river, anglers from far and wide have slammed the Upper both afoot and afloat. The head of the hatch has worked its way to the Slide area and almost up to Quake, however, rising temperatures have finally spurred the outburst of the true entomological potential which the Madison possesses. PMD, Caddis, and assorted Stoneflies have accompanied the plentiful Salmon Fly hatch and left fish engorged by healthy servings of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desert as well. Evening Caddis falls have produced excellent fishing conditions throughout the stretches of the Upper. Fish on the Lower Madison are still feeding on the typical July diet; a steady intake of Crayfish, nymphs, and Sculpins. Not surprisingly, Crayfish patterns, olive and black streamers, Soft Hackle Lightning Bugs, Chartreuse Copper Johns, Flashback Pheasant Tails, and assorted soft hackles have all proved effective in duping the toads who call the Lower home.
The Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison in the park have continued to fish well. The Daily PMD and Caddis hatches have remained, and fish in the area have persisted in their feeding preference for imitations of both. Not much has changed over the past week here, so keep on keepin' on. Good fishing and fair tidings anglers, cheers.
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