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25 October 2011 Blue Ribbon Flies Fishing Report
Craig Mathews

My luck lately hasn't changed. I spotted a couple huge bull elk this morning and planned to put the sneak on them this afternoon, after typing this. I saw them bed down along with a few cows and calves and knew they'd be there until they got up to fed, around 4pm. Just now I hear a racket coming from the area near where the elk are bedded. I see a helicopter flying in power poles to a remote area not ¼ mile from the bedded elk. I put my spotting scope on the elk and they are selling out and leaving the country due to the power company activity. I'll have to find more elk to chase later but for now here's our report.

The Madison in the Park is fishing well during Baetis and midge times. The pre-spawning trout are full in now, up from Hebgen Lake, and they are very aggressive to the fly as they near the spawn. Streamer time is here along with swinging big soft hackles through the holding water these big trout occupy as they await the right day to begin working on the spawning beds and nests. While these fish do not spawn for some time yet they are very territorial and might attack your yellow/brown Bakers Hole Bugger or Soft Hackle Streamer. Shakey Beeley , Bakers Hole Fall Soft Hackles and a few other of our new bright soft hackle patterns will produce big rainbows and browns for those willing to brave the mid-teen low temps at 7am. During the afternoons look for midging and fish working Baetis emergers and duns along Grasshopper and up in the big meadow below Madison Junciton.

Firehole Canyon is fishing fine with the same flies as listed above for pre-spawners. The river upstream of "The Broads" has been very good during Baetis and caddis times. Stop in and stock up on the right flies to fool these ultra-selective wild trout. This is the last week to swing soft hackles in the cascade stretch along the road near Christmas Tree Rock. Any peacock and herl or starling pattern should work fine.

The Gibbon continues to offer up fall fishing surprises. Seems big brown trout have targeted this river as their spawning stream this fall. The lower meadow has fished well for me. Drew and his clients have had incredible fishing in the canyon stretches. Our big rubber leg stone nymphs have worked as have CDC Princes and a couple streamers. On any given day one fly might work better than another and then fail to produce the following day. Like one of our good friends and customers said recently, "Fly fishing has certainly become an interesting confirmation of reality." Say what?

The Snake along the road at the south entrance is fishing very well as is the Lewis in the channel area and outlet runs also.

If temps warm into the upper 50's low 60's again this weekend make the trip to Soda or Slough or the Lamar River as there can be some great action on these waters then, and there will be few anglers to compete with this late in the game. I never understand why the last week of the fishing season is so quiet here as it can be the best week of the year for those risking it.

Both the Madison and Henry's Fork are fishing very well during Baetis and midge times. I have fished the float stretch downstream of Lyon Bridge lately on the Madison and the Fork near Ashton, Idaho can be great at this time of year too.

Remember to call and check in with us before making the drive to any and all waters. The coffee is on and the conversation at BRF is always stimulating too!

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