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Yellowstone River Fishing Report – 04/12/12

Posted on by Eric Adams
Yellowstone River Fishing Report - 04-12-12

Fishing/Weather/Water Conditions:

We had a couple of guides on the Yellowstone River yesterday and both had similar reports – upstream wind and bright sun.  The bright sun limited the Baetis hatch (as they prefer cloudy days).  The upstream wind made fishing a bit tougher as it tends to blow the foam out of the good holes and the fish just don’t quite stack up.  However, we did catch several fish on short leash nymph rigs (indicator 2 feet above flies) and streamers we also fairly productive.  It was also about 65 degrees with no other boats on our section so it did make for a good overall day to fish in Montana.

HEADS-UP:

The Lamar River spiked from 200 cfs to over 1,000 cfs in the past couple days.  The Yellowstone River near Emigrant is already rising and has more color.  The cooler weather should bring it down quickly, but the next day or so could be challenging fishing.

Hatches:

Baetis (BWOs) and Midges were out and about, but not prolific.  We also saw several March Brown spinners and even a few Mother’s Day Caddis.  Keep your eyes peeled for that magic 52-degree water temp and the Caddis will pop!

Flies & Fishing Strategies:
Nymphs – Black Copper John’s (14-16), BH Hare’s Ear (12-14), CDC BH Prince (12-16), Partridge & Pheasant Soft Hackle (12-16), Tungsten Zebra Midge (16-18).
Dries – Hi Viz Griffith’s Gnat (16-18), Hi Viz Parachute Baetis (16), March Brown Cripple (12-14), Parachute March Brown (14).
Streamers – J.J. Special, Black/Olive Zonker,  Olive/Black Sex Dungeon, or your favorite darker streamer pattern.

Concentrate on the slower water for both nymphing and streamer fishing.  Several of our dry fly fish have been caught inches from the banks so keep your eyes peeled for slow confident rises which will indicate a larger more confident trout.

Yellowstone River Fishing Report – 04/11/12

Posted on by Eric Adams
Yellowstone River Fishing Report - 04-11-12

Spring fly fishing in Montana doesn’t get much better than this on the Yellowstone River.  Unlike the past several years where Spring has brought us nothing but cold and snow, this season has basically been a fly fishing paradise.  Our weather has been warm and the snow levels are near normal, making for some great early season conditions.  The water levels are about 2,300 cfs and holding steady with good clarity.  A. Hurt is pictured here with a beautiful 24″ Yellowstone River Brown caught on a J.J. Special from this weekend.

Hatches:
Baetis (BWOs) and Midges are prolific on cloudy days and fish are starting to group up in the foam holes and long the rip-rap banks.  The Lower Yellowstone, below Springdale, has seen some early March Browns and as the water temps heat up to the 52-degree mark later this month start looking for the Mother’s Day Caddis to start popping in the late afternoon.  On the Upper Yellowstone above Livingston, we should start seeing the full mix of Baetis, Midges, March Browns and Caddis in the next couple weeks.  Obviously, we’ll keep you posted.

Flies & Fishing Strategies:
Nymphs – Black Copper John’s (14-16), BH Hare’s Ear (12-14), CDC BH Prince (12-16), Partridge & Pheasant Soft Hackle (12-16), Tungsten Zebra Midge (16-18).
Dries – Hi Viz Griffith’s Gnat (16-18), Hi Viz Parachute Baetis (16), March Brown Cripple (12-14), Parachute March Brown (14).
Streamers – J.J. Special, Black/Olive Zonker,  Olive/Black Sex Dungeon, or your favorite darker streamer pattern.

Concentrate on the slower water for both nymphing and streamer fishing.  Several of our dry fly fish have been caught inches from the banks so keep your eyes peeled for slow confident rises which will indicate a larger more confident trout.

The weather forecast for the week looks like overcast and drizzly – perfect for good Baetis weather, so make sure to get out there!

Yellowstone River Fishing Report 2/16/2012

Posted on by Eric Adams
Yellowstone River Fishing Report 2-16-2012

Well, it’s two days after St.Valentines day and I’ve already fished about 15 days this year. The mild winter up here has kept most of the rivers ice free which is good for those of us who enjoy rising fish and solitude on the rivers. What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time we were waist deep skiing powder, this year we’re waist deep in the rivers.

We’ve been fishing the Yellowstone pretty much anytime the wind isn’t blowing. It’s a great time to be out swinging streamers or looking for rising fish. Dry fly fishing has been much more productive on cloudy days. When the sun is out we’ve been able to pick fish up on small zebra midges, blood worms, and emerging midge patterns.

We’ll be on the Upper Madison tomorrow with an update soon to follow! (We’re hearing reports of big fish being caught on midge dries!!)

Yellowstone River Fishing Report Feb. 4, 2012

Posted on by Eric Adams
Yellowstone River Fishing Report Feb. 4, 2012

It was another beautiful day in Paradise Valley, just South of Livingston, Montana. It seems spring would like to change its tune from 2011 and try and make a very early appearance. However, as most long-time Montana residents will tell you – well you never can tell.
This gave us another opportunity to do some more winter fly fishing. Highs were in the mid-40’s and with light winds and warm sunshine it was quite pleasant.
There was a steady hatch of midges on the Yellowstone River from about noon till 3 pm. We fooled a few Rainbows with a Harrop CDC Midge and a few Whitefish fooled us as well. Overall, for fishing the Yellowstone River in February it was a great day.

That sunset certainly warmed the soul as well.