News from Blue Ribbon Flies

Fishing Report
Weekly Conditions and Tips

By Craig Mathews
11 October 2011
Ok, this really is an Anderson photo.

Another cold-rainy day, the 10th day in a row with these kinds of weather conditions and the Baetis mayflies have so far come off as they should. The Firehole and Madison Rivers in the park have been superb during Baetis times. The Firehole below its falls and the Madison from the junction downstream to Hebgen Lake are jammed with pre-spawning browns and rainbows. The Gibbon downstream of its falls has a good number of run up fish in it now and the meadow water just above the Madison-Old Faithful road bridge has some good afternoon dry fly fishing when Baetis are emerging.

I got up early this morning to type this report. I heard the rain hitting our roof and knew I'd better get cracking to get this done in time to hit the river by noon in hopes of finding an early Baetis hatch then. Lately it has been so cold the insects aren't coming off in good numbers to get the fish rising until around 2 or even 3 p.m. But, I like to get on the water early just in case.

It is now 6 a.m. and the rain is coming harder against the window panes. The dogs are up and want to be fed. The flies I tied last night are sitting here next to my computer on the tying desk and I can't help but looking at each one and admiring how well I tied while watching Monday Night Football. It's time to look at some fishing opportunities and get this off so I can get into the park for some fall fishing. We are down to the last 3 weeks of the Yellowstone National Park's fishing season and I want to make the most of the best part of the season. Stay tuned here for our reports and forecasts!

The Madison River between the lakes has been good both during dry fly Baetis times as well as non-hatch periods. Look for mayflies in the afternoons, especially near the mouth of Earthquake Lake. Streamers and large rubber leg stones and huge Prince Nymphs will work all day long. When Baetis are encountered in heavy water areas and the fish aren't rising try a Baetis nymph like a Micro Madison or Split Case Baetis as the large trout will be taking small nymphs in the faster-deeper water.

The Madison downstream of Quake Lake has been great during Baetis times for the dry fly angler. If nymphing is your game you can count on great fishing all day long. Baetis have emerged strongest in a few selected spots above Raynold's Bridge and in and around $3 in the wade areas. Below Lyon Bridge the fishing has been strong above Sun Creek and near Moose and Wolf Creeks. The Varney stretch has been great too, downstream of the bridge and all the way to town when Baetis are active 1-3p.m. When fish are not rising try big streamers like Cheech and M's Sculpins in brown or olive and never ever be without a Copper Zonker for some great trout.

The Madison from Hebgen Lake upstream to Madison Junction has been incredible. With last week's surge of cold rain waters and snow melt the river is packed with pre-spawning fish. Some days it does not matter what fly you present, nor how you fish it. Other days the fish can be tough to bring to the fly. I like to fish flies like olive and copper Zonkers now as well as Bakers Hole Buggers, all are tried and true patterns that work well for me. Some days they want these flies fished dead drifted, other days with long-slow strips or short and fast. Last weekend I had to use a straight, up-stream cast and fish my olive Zonker like a big stone nymph. The fish I caught, all good browns came to the fly with vicious takes and most set the hook themselves. On overcast-rainy-snowy days watch for fish to come up for Baetis from noon on. The past few days the trout might rise to the tiny olives as late as 6pm so don't call it a day early if it is dry fly fishing you are after.

The Firehole River below the falls has been very good lately. Not only for large run up browns but rainbows as well. Egg patterns and Copper or Pearl Zonkers have been the best patterns below the canyon.

The Firehole River above the cascades is fishing very well, both during caddis and Baetis times. The fish seem to be larger this fall, lots of 12-14" browns and rainbows, on the upper water near Muleshoe and downstream of Midway Geyser Basin. There will be 2 caddis species so you must have a #17 tain Iris and #16 tan X2 along with a White Miller X and green Iris #17 or 19. The Baetis are 2 sizes, #20-22, and the fish are very tough when rising to them. You will want a Baetis Soft Hackle Emerger, Sparkle Dun and Cripple and a Knocked Down Baetis Dun for success. While you will often have dozens of rising trout to fish to you must single one out and fish to it. NEVER flock shoot as you will become frustrated with your lack of success. These can be some of the toughest fish you will ever fish to; even though most are 8-11", they will cause you fits if you don't fish three feet of 6x on a 9 to12' leader.

The Gibbon below the falls offers up some fun fall fishing especially now around Canyon Creek and downstream to Tuft Cliffs. Yellow Madonnas and Bakers Hole Buggers have taken some nice browns. We had a customer come in with photos of a 26" male brown with a Bakers Bugger hanging out of its maw he took Monday on this little river so give it a try.

Yellowstone and Gardner Rivers are fishing well below Gardiner, Mt. I like the area just upstream of Joe Brown access, McConell , the Emigrant Bridge stretch, Mallard Rest and Pine Creek on the big river. On the Gardner try near the 45th Parallel Bridge, behind the Yellowstone School and below the Mammoth-Tower Bridge. Expect good Baetis on both rivers and streamer fishing is fun and productive now also. A big rubber leg stone is always a good bet in the fall.

The Lewis is now worth the hike in. There are some good browns being taken along with a few Mackinaw on streamers like Yellow and White Soft Hackles and Bakers Hole Buggers.

Slough and Soda Butte Creeks have fished well. There's been some strong black ant activity on both and the Baetis are emerging too. The Lamar has only fished well when clear and then near its confluence with the Yellowstone.

The Henry's Fork continues to give up strong Baetis mayfly activity. While you can expect to see lots of huge rainbows rising on the stretch downstream of the gravel pit and to Wood Road and Pine Haven, just hooking one of these monsters is a chore in itself. You must give it a go! We can help with the right fly too.

Okay, it seems I have to finish this up and pack a lunch, brew some hot coffee for my thermos and head in to fish the park. Until next week I hope your fishing has been as good as ours has been and that we see you all soon here in Yellowstone.

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