Report 8/1/24

TroutHunter Fishing Report 8/1/24

The big news this week is a reduction in flows out of IP Reservoir. We are currently running at 1050 cfs out of the dam this morning with a slight bump from yesterday’s release of 900. Hopefully things will stand pat for a bit with minimal to moderate adjustments in the coming week. It appears as though we are beyond peak drawdown, so let’s hope things don’t change too drastically and we can maintain this 800-100 cfs for a minute. Water clarity remains good, but we are starting to see more floating weeds. We had a good run of cooler weather and some thunder bumpers this last week which was a welcome respite and drastically cleared the air of smoke and haze for the time being anyway. Expect another run of upper 80s and low 90s in the area for the weekend, and then it looks to return back to normalish temps next week. With the large release of water the past couple of weeks, IP Reservoir sits at 59% full and Henry’s Lake is holding firm at 97% full. Please be careful with those campfires. Not much has really changed in the way of fishing since last week – short and sweet…

Box Canyon (1050 cfs out of IP dam, add another 200 below the Buffalo River) – The Box continues to be one of the more reliable sections of river around these parts. There are still good numbers of Golden Stones and Gray Drakes for surface fishing. Dry-dropper and tandem nymph rigs have been quite productive. Have the usual arsenal of Bullet Quills, Perdigons, Zebra Midges, Copper Johns, PTs, Crackbacks, etc. Don’t forget to have the streamer box handy as well if you’re into that.

Last Chance and Harriman –  Spotty at best. There has been some solid morning spinner fishing if you can time it right and be in the right locale. The best angling continues to be from the middle Ranch down through Pinehaven. Be patient and keep plodding along – one day is great, the next a ghost town. Behind the shop is still pretty marginal. We’ve been seeing a good number of small fish flipping around mornings and evenings since the flow drop but not much in the way of consistent big fish up. Bugs remain pretty sparse up here. I’d really be focussing on The Islands and downriver. Have all stages of PMDs #16-18, Tricos #18-22, Callibaetis #14-16, and tan to dark Caddis #16-20. There are still some Flavs around and a smattering of Green Drakes (crazy, I know). You’ll definitely want your Rusty Spinners, Gray Drake Spinners, and Flav Spinners. I’m still waiting on a report of full-blown Honey Ants, but there have been some sightings of a few here and there. Have the Terrestrial box at the ready. Hoppers are getting thick and are on the water in the afternoons.

Warm River – Another great option for fishing during the summer doldrums. Run those Hoppers and other Terrestrials in tandem or fish a dry-dropper set up. Standard fare on nymphs and beadheads and streamers. 

Below Ashton (1680 cfs below Ashton, 950 cfs at St Anthony) – Hit it early if you really must. Hoppers hoppers and hoppers. Water temps are 72 and above after lunch. But there’s better options until Fall arrives.

Madison River (about 1080 cfs out of Hebgen, 1370 at Cameron) – Between the lakes and the upper stretch below Quake Lake remain good bets with cooler water. There are PMDs, Caddis, and Epeorus mayflies around. Terrestrial fishing is a good bet also. 

***Many Montana rivers are closed or are under “Hoot Owl” restrictions, so please make sure to check locally before heading out.***

Henry’s Lake – Pete and repeat: Wee hour water temperatures are already in the low 70s, so expect fishing to be pretty tough. Get out there early early early, and focus on the springs and creek mouths with the usual array of lake flies. Fish ‘em slow.

Hebgen Lake –  Gulpers are still gulping and hatches remain strong. Some of the shop boys and guides have been spending more time up on Hebgen with good success and fun fishing for cruising sippers. Have all stages of Callibaetis, have Terrestrials, and have some Caddis. Dropping Turkey Tails, PTs, and Chironomids can up your catch rate if the fish aren’t cooperating up top.

*** A note on area reservoirs (including IP Reservoir) and stillwaters: We’ve received nothing official from the county, but algal blooms are beginning to show up. Be careful with your furry friends this time of year. That sh**’s toxic as hell for the puppers.***

Yellowstone NP – Same as last week: The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon remained closed indefinitely due to high water temperatures. Yellowstone Park Service issued a release earlier this week about “Hoot Owl” restrictions on several stretches of waters, so no fishing from 2pm until the following morning beginning Friday July 26th:

-Slough Creek and Soda Butte Creek (in their entirety)

-The Gardner River from Osprey Falls downstream to the park boundary

-The Yellowstone River from Tower Junction downstream/north to the park boundary

-The Snake River from Forest Creek to the southern park boundary

-The Lamar River from Cache Creek to the confluence with The Yellowstone River. 

Check at the gate on your way in for any additional changes and restrictions.

The Gallatin and upper Yellowstone are good bets for fun dry fly fishing. I was able to get into the park Tuesday with a couple of TroutHunter amigos and have some fun on the upper Yellowstone. There were good bugs almost all day – PMDs, Caddis, Green Drake Spinners, and Golden Stones. Expect crowds, particularly with the “Hoot Owl” in place as anglers look for open water. Yellowstone Lake is a good bet right looking for cutties cruising and sipping Callibaetis spinners. High Country lakes and creeks, both in and out of the park, are great options right now with all this dang heat we’ve been having. Throw a dart at the map, load up the cooler and bear spray, and head out somewhere new.

Stop in and say hello. We’ve got some nice select items starting to go on sale. We are here from 7am to 8pm daily. Here is a useful link for flow info and water clarity if you haven’t already bookmarked it. Have a great week and Cheers!