Montana Fishing Report

[Paul N Skill]

I fished the Gallatin by the Big Ski ski resort after morning of sking. I was quite good I landed a buch of rainbows nothing big and one nice 15 inch brown.

It was a warm day though close to 45 degress. You had to be careful with the ice on the banks.

I did see some other fly fisherman on the river.

Slapwater talks about that trip. Walking thru the snow drifts to get to the river.

 

[skipper3245]

Runoff started last week, but is dying off right now. We should not see much of a jump for 2 weeks, then who knows. Went out with another guide and ran into this guy, 13 lbs. Largest fish the shop has brought in on the yellowstone since Ive been here at least.

 

[skipper3245]

Last report for a while on the stone since the runoff really took a beating over the past two days and wont stop for a loooonnnngg time. about a month ago we were sitting at 60 percent snow pack, but with the last few storms we are up to 90 percent and still have a storm coming this week. meaning that its going to be pretty much perfect out here this year. If anyone is planning a trip, I would not go any earlier than the forth of july. I would skip the salmon fly hatch this year. Looks like its not gonna happen since its going to be a late opening. Golden stone will be good, and they are calling for the best hopper fishing in over 15 years. Get out there early on that hatch because they fished the crap out of it last year, and the fish were wary of anything on top. PM if you have any questions or if your in the area. Id be happy to take anyone out or at least show you some quality access in the area.

skip

 

[gadfly]

Hi Skip,

I'll probably be trying to make a trip out again this August for the hoppers. I know it will depend on conditions, but what is a good bet for a prime week?

Thanks!

 

[skipper3245]

Hi Skip,

I'll probably be trying to make a trip out again this August for the hoppers. I know it will depend on conditions, but what is a good bet for a prime week?

Thanks!

I start fishing hoppers last week in July. Its usually a little too early then but it picks up very fast. I would say first two weeks of august are prime. What systems are you hitting while you are out here?

 

[gadfly]

Last year I did the Gallatin, Yellowstone, Madison, Lamar and Slough Creek. This year would likely be similar except I might throw the Ruby in there or possibly Henry's Fork.

 

[skipper3245]

Last year I did the Gallatin, Yellowstone, Madison, Lamar and Slough Creek. This year would likely be similar except I might throw the Ruby in there or possibly Henry's Fork.

thats a sweet mix. The Ruby is awesome. I went there once over the winter and flows were very low and it was not great, but Im sure you wont run into that in aug. Beaverhead and Bighole are right there too. If you get a chance the beaverhead right by the cannonsville dam area is always killer, but crowded at times so I like to go mid week. Sounds like a great trip you are planning there.

 

[skipper3245]

Looks like we are almost back in action in Livingston. The Yellowstone is right on the border right now. Floated last week chuckin a big white home invader and picked up two browns. Didnt think we would even get a shot at salmon flies this year, but it looks as if it will be very possible to catch em on top starting this weekend. Water levels are looking great all the way through fall.

Did a three day trip on the missouri this past week. Flows are at 18,000, not typical for great fishing, but still fished lights out. Red wire worm and soft hackle sow with a fireye head were the ticket. Also when we switched from a 5ft leader to 10ft it made all the difference.

Drop me a pm if you are plannin a trip out here and wanna meet up to float a day.


skip

 

[bgood]

Thanks for the report. Heading out there next Friday. Going to hit the Gallatin for some warm up action on Friday PM and then heading into the park for 4 days on the Yellowstone and Hellroaring Creek. Can't wait.

 

[gadfly]

bgood,

Have a great trip! Please let us know how you make out. I'm heading out there in early Aug and am thinking about a day trip into the Hellroaring Crk area. I'd love to hear about your experience there for my planning.

Good luck!
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[bgood]

Thanks I'll post the trip when I get back. I plan to take a ton of pictures too. Can't wait.

 

[bgood]

As promised.

http://www.njflyfishing.com/vBullet...8-montana-wyoming-trip-report.html#post169145

I'll get some pictures in my gallery if I can figure it out.

 

[Trout Fever]

great post beautiful pictures cant wait to get out west for a trip

 

[skipper3245]

Nobody thought it would even be close to a high water year out here, but we just keep getting more and more rain/snow. River levels are above average and a great time to get out here. Fishing was tough 2 weeks ago, but its back to amazing out here. Hoppers, caddis, yellow sallies, spruce moths are all making the fish crazy up top. I know of a couple guys on here coming out in the next coming weeks. Its going be be amazing. All rivers in the park are fishing lights out, even on hot sunny days. Sometimes even better with the hoppers. Nymphing seems to be better in the morning, but once 11 hits, dries and till dark or even streamer fishing has been good around dusk. Madison river gray drake hatch is about to start and is amazing especially during the spinner fall, which can happen all day long if you are lucky but mostly starts around 6ish. Here are a couple pics of some of the latest trips.

 

[Vance]

Hi Skipper, I willbe going out to Montana on Aug 30 and willbe staying at the castle rock inn. A friend of mine has a trailer there and we will be fishing the Madison and mostly the Gallatin.. He says the Gallatin is still a little high Castle rock inn is on Gallatin rd. I will be leaving on Sept.13 to come back to JerseyMaybe we could hook up togetherfor a day or two Its only 20 more days but hey who's counting HAHA...Bill Vance

 

[skipper3245]

Hi Skipper, I willbe going out to Montana on Aug 30 and willbe staying at the castle rock inn. A friend of mine has a trailer there and we will be fishing the Madison and mostly the Gallatin.. He says the Gallatin is still a little high Castle rock inn is on Gallatin rd. I will be leaving on Sept.13 to come back to JerseyMaybe we could hook up togetherfor a day or two Its only 20 more days but hey who's counting HAHA...Bill Vance

Sounds awesome. PM me when it gets closer.

 

[Harry]

Warming up just ahead of the Conclave. It's about time, I was out the last week of July and it was slow. Only a dozen fish from Divide to Melrose, Beaverhead was raging, Madison was pretty quiet and the Ruby fished best of all...

 

[skipper3245]

Warming up just ahead of the Conclave. It's about time, I was out the last week of July and it was slow. Only a dozen fish from Divide to Melrose, Beaverhead was raging, Madison was pretty quiet and the Ruby fished best of all...

You can always count on the Ruby to please you. Good pick on water systems btw. Dillon on the other hand...not the most exciting town ha. I totally agree with you about the slowness of mid-end july. Nothing much happening besides caddis and definitely not much on top. They are now though. And these t-storms we have been having has bumped up the streamer bite and that are just wackin them.