PostHeaderIcon Seasons

Early Season: April 1st - June 15th

Early season water conditions vary tremendously due to spring runoff, which usually occurs from May 1st through June 20th. For this reason, we concentrate our efforts on the dam-released waters of the Madison and Missouri Rivers, where nymph patterns and streamers produce exceptional catches of browns and rainbows.

Warm spring days are an invitation to the challenge of fishing our area's abundant midge hatches. Casting 6x and 7x tippets, along with size 18 and 20 dry patterns, and landing these surface-feeding trout is a fly fisherman's dream.

Mid Season: June 15th - July 31st


The waters have cleared and warmed, and major hatches of aquatic insects characterize this period. The amazing salmonfly hatch occurs on most of the rivers in our area between June 20th and July 10th. A large and colorful insect, this hatch works its way upstream, providing great opportunities for the dry fly fisherman to catch large and numerous trout. During this hatch, a nymph fisherman will experience success using stonefly nymphs and Montana nymphs sizes 4, 6 and 8. Book a trip early, as this is a very popular time on all the local rivers.

This period's next major hatch is the caddis. Though lesser stoneflies are still productive, the caddis is the major aquatic insect. Hatches occur daily until late August, with Elk Hair Caddis, Goddard Caddis and Poly Caddis in sizes 14, 16 and 18 being very productive.

 

Late Season: August 1st - October 31st


The water conditions in the greater Yellowstone area are low and clear, and hopper season is upon us. This time of year trout are eager for terrestrials - beetles, ants and hopper patterns drifted along the banks bring out their predatory instincts, and the action can be fierce.

Backcountry fishing is now very good, and improves as the weather cools. By late september, frosty mornings and the possibility of snow have thinned crowds considerably. The fishing is still great, and the possibility of trophy browns on streamer patterns along with autumn colors make this our favorite time of the year. Float fishing any of the local rivers well into October is truly taking advantage of the best we have to offer.

Winter: February - April


Yes, we fish during the winter. Experience the solitude and beauty of a mountain stream in winter. Temperatures will reach 40 degrees and above starting in February. With the warmer days, the fish become active. We fish a variety of nymph and streamer patterns for rainbows, browns and whitefish. Midge fishing has begun, and this is an excellent time to sample the famous spring creeks of the Paradise Valley. These trips are booked on short notice, with a watchful eye on the weather.


Last Updated (Friday, 09 October 2009 13:40)

 
Regional Conditions

We'll do our best to keep a regular fishing report running throughout the summer. Tight Lines!

-Jimmy "loosewraps" Armijo
 

Gallatin River 280c.f.s., March 8th 2010. The fishing has been excellent on warmer overcast days.  There have been fish rising to midges in the late afternoon! Until the sun warms the water the fish are in the deep pools, tailouts and pocket water.  On warmer days you can find them spread out in deeper riffles.  Standard winter fare has been working well.  Girdle bugs and smaller stone fly nymphs.  Smaller nymphs in reds; midges, lightning bugs, copper johns and the like.  This week could see some nice warming trends, be ready with some midge dries and emerger's.
 

Lower Madison 1250 c.f.s., March 8th, 2010. Great fishing on warm days. Bear Trap has been fishing well with nymphs,, streamers and crayfish.  Below the damn has been excellent, San Juan Worms and Wooly Buggers.  If you can catch it on a calm day midges have been hatching and there is a good chance for some dry fly action.

 
 

Upper Madison 500 c.f.s., March 8th 2010. Quake to McAtee is closed till the 3rd  Sat. in May.  Fishing below McAtee has been hit or miss, Ice is clearing toward Ennis, and there is always the section between the lakes, there could be plenty of opportunities if you are willing to trek in toward the head of Earthquake. Midges, worms woolly buggers and small stone fly nymphs are all working well.
 

Yellowstone River 720 c.f.s., March 8th, 2010--Access is clear above and below Livingston, and where it is clear you can get a nymph down to the bottom and have a banner day!  Midges below girdle bugs are the way to go.  Lots of sippers in the back eddie foam, little griffiths gnats will bring them in.

 
 

Missouri River 4130 c.f.s., 63 deg.--Dry fly fishing on the upper section has been best on Trico spinners, spent caddis(size 16-18 dark brown body, grayish tan wing) and PMD spinner (size 16-20 rusty and pale yellow) patterns and on the lower section, below Mid Canon, fishing with ants and hoppers has been the ticket. Nymphing with a variety of bugs will produce fish all day.
 
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