Happy Post-4th of July! We hope you had a safe and fun weekend. We are in summer mode around here now: temps are up, water levels are up, fire danger is up, and so on… Fishing remains decent to good depending on where your angling adventures are taking you; I’ll get into some details below. For now, here’s a bit of an outlook on the upcoming week and beyond. After some record heat the last couple of days, long-term outlook is a bit more normal with the chance of some showers later in the week. Flows are cranking as a result. Clarity remains pretty good throughout the system, however, Island Park Reservoir is dropping quickly and is about 56% full. Yikes. Despite high flows, we are finding some feeding fish up here on the hill. Expect flows to remain high for the foreseeable future with predicted showers on the horizon.
BoxCanyon (fluctuating around 1600 cfs): Angling in the canyon remains pretty solid, but it’s cranking through there right now, so just be careful on the oars (and there are safer places for tubes and beginners). We’ve seen solid Golden Stone activity the last couple of days and fish are looking up for them, especially if you get some cloud cover. There are good hatches of PMDs and Caddis, and we’re starting to see more Gray Drakes with the bumps in flow. As usual, have a varied selection of Perdigons, Frenchies, PTs, Zebra Midges, and smaller beads. Run your set up long and deep to get down in the heavy current and deeper slots. Streamers are always a good bet if you get some clouds and when the sun gets off the water.
Last Chance – Harriman State Park: A mixed bag to say the least. The upper Ranch remains pretty tough, especially since they bumped the flows. We are still seeing decent bugs; finding the bigger fish up has been an entirely different endeavor. I’ve been out back scouting almost daily and have had little action mornings or evenings; it seems that’s been the status quo in the upper and middle sections of Harriman. I have seen a few more Gray Drake spinners on the back of the building the last couple of evenings, so fingers crossed. Middle Ranch and below Osborne Bridge have been a bit better. Two words: Mormon Crickets. They’ve arrived in the area after making their biblical march up Ashton Hill. One word: disgusting. You’ll want some big hopper patterns and some orange, red, and brown sharpies. It’s truly a sight to behold seeing these things drop off of cliff ledges and riverside brush and get inhaled by trout. Guides are coming back with double-digit numbers of eats and a good number of huge fish caught on the lower Ranch. Yep. For reals… On the normal, we are seeing good PMDs, Pink Alberts, Flavs, Gray Drakes, and a variety of Caddis in all shapes and sizes; have all stages of the mayfly cycle ready to rock. A variety of Ants, Beetles, and Hoppers should definitely be in the flybox from here on out… There are some Callibaetis and Tricos around as well. I broke a monster off the other day on the old #14 trusty Rusty Spinner. The best advice I can offer is to stick it out. The bigger fish have been on an odd cycle, waiting for crickets and often not getting up until lunchtime. There have been little guys up (in excellent numbers, I might add) and no big fish in sight, and then all of a sudden, the bigger fish are sliding into where they should be. It’s not all doom and gloom around here right now if you’re patient and in the right areas.
Warm River to Ashton and the Lower River (2120 cfs @ Ashton, 1200 @ St Anthony): WR-A remains a solid bet for those looking for a bit more action. We’ve had boats daily returning with loads of smiles. Running a Golden Stone or Chubby of choice with a dropper should do the trick.
The Lower River below Ashton is getting a bit tougher, but running a Hopper or Golden Stone and dropper has been semi-productive. Keep an eye on water temperatures and take your time reviving and releasing fish.
Madison River (1090 cfs @ Hebgen, 1300 @ Kirby): The Madison remains a solid bet if you’re in the area. Look for rising fish eating Caddis and PMDs and Terrestrials. Drop the bead if you’re in need.
Yellowstone National Park: Well, here we go. The Madison, Gibbon, and Firehole are now on full closure due to water temperatures. On the flip side, most of the park’s other waters are fishing very well. The Gallatin has been good: have PMDs, Green Drakes, Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, and small attractor patterns. The upper Yellowstone is starting to turn on: same flies as above. I’m heading in Sunday, so I’ll have a more first-hand account on the upper. Shop boys Eli and JP had some fun on Slough Creek last week: same flies. The Gardner, Lamar, and Soda Butte are all in great shape as well: same flies 🙂 Keep an eye on the weather; storms can blow out the Lamar pretty easily. There is so much great water in Yellowstone that is relatively untouched if you’re able to put in a bit of a hike. Grab the three-weight and take a walk. Go explore! Don’t forget your bear spray.
Henry’s Lake: Honestly have not heard much coming out of Henry’s Lake recently. It’s hot, so the fish will be deep and on the springs and creek mouths. Leeches, Scuds, Chironomids, Renegades, Damsels, and other lakey type flies should find you some fish deep and slow.
Hebgen Lake: The Gulpers are doing their thing and have been tracking pretty solidly the last couple of days. Have Callibaetis, Tricos, Caddis, Damsels, etc. I wouldn’t be afraid to drop a bead if the fish aren’t totally cooperating. Hebgen can still fish pretty well after the wind kicks up using chironomids under an indicator.
As always, stop in to say hi and get up-to-date intel before heading out. We’re here every day from 7-7. Have a great week.
John Campbell
TroutHunter
campbell@trouthunt.com
208-558-9900
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