Fresh Montana Fishing Reports

Both the PMD and Yellow Sally hatches are in full swing and the fishing is as good as it gets! Current flows are pretty high at 900+ cfs but the fish don’t seem to mind. We’re primarily nymphing with an indicator and 2 flies but there are fish rising on some days, especially with clouds so dry flies are on the menu as well. Some of our favorite patterns. Nymphs; Pheasant Tail, Barr’s Emerger, Mitchell Split Case, Hunchback Infrequens, Frenchie, Kyles Yellow Sally, Perdigon hot spot Dry Flies; Pull Over, PMD Cripple, CDC Emerger, Sparkle Dun, Poly Wing Spinner, Rusty Spinner

The much awaited hopper bite is happening on the mighty Yellowstone and the big fish are looking up! We’ve been starting early when the fish are more active and to beat the afternoon heat. Inside edges and riffles are holding lots of trout that are at the table waiting for a grasshopper aka double bacon cheeseburger float over. Our favorite dry flies; Chubby, Stream bank hopper, Amy’s Ant, Triple Decker, Morish Hopper

The famed Pterinarcys Californicus or Giant Salmon Fly hatch has just started to show up on the stretches above Ennis on the Madison. These double bacon cheeseburger bugs are a favorite for trout when they show up. We’re having success nymphing and on the bug dry. A double rubber leg short leash nymphing rig is our most effective way to nymph. We are getting action on the surface using several different dry salmon fly patterns. The Rogue, Bank Robber and Chubby Chernobyl just to name a few. A little twitch is another trigger for the trout. The adult naturals are pretty active when they’re on the water. Also try a smaller Golden Stone if your getting refusals on the big bug.

The famous Salmonfly hatch is in full swing on the Big Hole right now. Every fish in the river is looking up for one of these trout double bacon cheeseburgers. The flows are a bit low but the visibility is great. Due to the lower flows we’re catching a fair number of fish not on the banks. Large Chubby Chernobyl’s sizes #6/4 in orange, gold or all black (use a sharpie). Of course there’s Golden Stones coming off as well so throw both patterns. You likely see the trout will sometimes prefer the smaller Golden sizes #8-10. If they’re refusing the big dry, try dropping a small rubber leg Stone under it.

I finally fished the Beaverhead opener in over a decade of staying away due to my dislike of fishing with crowds. Even with more anglers on the water, the river is fishing great! Flows are currently at about 550 cfs and of course visibility is gin clear. Your best bet is to fish from the boat while drifting but stop and work the buckets over to find more fish! Nymphing is the name of the game right now because the water temps coming out of the dam are very cold! Our favorite nymphs; San Juan worm in red, hot red or burgundy sizes #18-12. Psycho May in olive sizes # 20-16 Pandemic May in olive sizes #20-16 Split case bwo sizes # 20-16 Ray Charles in tan sizes #20-14 Scuds in tan, grey or pink sizes # 18-16. Run a drop shot leader with plenty of weight and an indicator.