Here is this week's Big Sky area fishing report from the Big Sky Weekly. Enjoy.
Big Sky anglers,
In continuing the theme from last week’s edition, I begin with a quote from author Jim Harrison in discussing his sentiments regarding fishing: “Who said that we go through life with a diminishing portfolio of enthusiasm?...So you try to seek out in life, moments that give you this immense jolt of electricity. It is a tranquilizer better than any chemical tranquilizer. So you try to have something that gives you this electricity, and freshens up your feeling about being alive.” For Harrison, this was Tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys, but for me it’s for trout, here in the last best place, Big Sky, Montana.
During the past week the fickle Fishing Gods have been generous to our angling community; plentiful hatches, near optimal conditions, and of course, hungry fish. The Gallatin River has continued to fish well. In the canyon, Caddis, Yellow Sally, Golden Stones, Green Drakes, and now emerging Mayflies, have cluttered the skies and forced fish to keep their eyes up. With hatches starting by noon most days, fishing has been best in the afternoon and evening hours. Dry dropper has consistently been the most effective rig, and with proper presentation, is deadly before dusk. On top throw a variety of Caddis, Goldenstone, and Stimulator patters. Subsurface, stick with Gallatin essentials: Pheasant Tails and Soft Hackles. The Salmon Fly hatch has seemingly disappeared after passing the Taylor’s Fork, but don’t forget to fish behind the hatch with imitations of these big bugs.
The Upper Madison has continued to fish extremely well over the past week. The Salmon Fly hatch has reached the water in between the lakes and after fishing the Upper earlier this week, trout are still rising to big patterns up top. A slow moving hatch this year, the Salmon Flies have still sporadically been flying around the areas below Three Dollar Bridge. Other heavy bug activity remains with plentiful daily hatches of Caddis, Goldenstones, Yellow Sallies, and PMD’s. Around nightfall, fish have been keying in on small size 16-18 Black Caddis.
Quake Lake has fully entered gulper season, and this spot should not be forgotten in your next angling excursion.
The Lower Madison is slowing down. Both temperatures and ‘recreational’ boat traffic have increased, and like every year, the fishing has become more difficult. No real dry fly action here, the river is still fishing best when approached subsurface. A variety of Soft Hackles and smaller nymphs would be your best bet.
The Yellowstone River is coming alive, and each passing day has seen improvement. Fishing during the middle of the day, once water temperatures have risen, has been best. Fish are still eating big bugs subsurface; try throwing a variety of big dark stonefly nymphs and rubberlegs. Reports of surface activity have been intermittent. Trout have been seen taking Caddis off the top, and at times Salmon Fly and Goldenstone patterns. With water still as high as it is, stick to the banks and be patient.
For the Firehole and Gibbon, continue fishing with an assault of PMD and small Caddis patterns, while dropping emergers behind. Highest productivity has been seen in the early morning and late afternoon hours of the day.
Good fishing and fair tidings, cheers.
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