Fishing Report 08.18.13

Well, we hopper fishing is in full swing on the YELLOWSTONE RIVER, and as usual, fishing is truly day to day.  A few clouds in the afternoon seem to help; as do long, drag-free drifts, and of course, spinning through several different patterns.  I prefer tan or pink hoppers in the AM, and yellow in the afternoons  Sometimes it helps to fish something other than the Morrish too...
Current Flow:  1,900 CFS at Livingston
The MADISON RIVER has been spotty at best.  The small hopper game, ants/beetles, and small attractors have all been getting fish to look up in the Storey- Ennis stretch.  Dragging sculpins has also been productive for a few big ones.  The Lower had a bit of respite the last week or so, but water temps are slowly climbing again.  The weather has been scorching hot the last few days, and the the river temps rise accordingly.  Fishing early on the Lower has been good.  Still under closure here, so no fishing after 2 PM.
Current Flow: 860 CFS at Cameron, 1,160 below Ennis Dam
The tricos are still going strong in the mornings on the  MISSOURI RIVER.  Look for the best trico fishing closer to the dam.  The Missouri is relatively empty this time of year, so some good fishing can be had without the usual gong show of boats.  Try fishing hoppers lower on the river, they eat them there too.
Current Flow:  3,150 CFS below Holter Dam
Things are pretty good on the GALLATIN RIVER.  Spruce moths up the river, and hoppers closer to Bozeman.  This river always seems to produce, not necessarily big fish- but nice, healthy wild trout.  If you have a few hours to kill, head to the Gallatin, and enjoy some nice consistent fishing.
Current Flow: 422 CFS at Gallatin Gateway
And of course, last but not least, the JEFFERSON RIVER.  I spent a couple of days fishing the very upper reaches of the Jeff this week, and the river THERE is in good enough shape, fishing was actually good.  But with only 40 or so CFS coming out of the lower Big Hole (thanks to a big diversion ditch), there really is no water left in the river.  Once you get below yet another major diversion, it is truly devoid of water.  This is a constant, sad state of affairs on this truly majestic river.  It saddens me to see a river like the Jefferson with barely any current, almost no water flowing between pools.  This scenario is far too common in this valley, and things have to change.  They are killing my river.  End of story.
Current Flow: 52 CFS at Silver Star, yep, 52. Tragic.

Fishing Report 07.31.13

 The YELLOWSTONE RIVER is as good as it gets right now.  Dry fly fishing in the morning or in the clouds has been very, very productive, and the nymph game has never been better.  Very few whitefish coming to the net, and some very large trout caught daily.  I cannot remember a better season on the Yellowstone, and the hoppers are just getting started.  A lot of guides are fishing the chubby (or other nocturnal pattern) with a small Pat's dropped off the back.  Some good reports coming on hoppers toward the lower river.  Temps have come down, and the river is giving up some of its biggest residents. 
Current Flow: 2,780 CFS at Livingston
Things are pretty good on the Upper MADISON RIVER with some pretty good reports of nice Spruce Moth fishing up high, and great nymphing closer to Ennis.  There are a lot of boats on the Upper, but the river is holding up very well.  Girdle bug/small nymphs are catching fish, and small terrestrials are doing well also.  Hopper fishing is just around the corner.  The Lower Madison has nice flow, but high temps and lots of tube-folk.  If you want to fish this, go very early, and work the Chubby/Crayfish angle.
Current Flow: 1,500 CFS at Cameron and 1,500 cfs below Ennis Dam
Water temps have come down on the JEFFERSON RIVER, but the river is still running on the warmish side- not to mention the river is unbelievably low.  Give these fish a break, and fish elsewhere.  This river should be CLOSED.  PERIOD.
Current Flow: 90 CFS at Silver Star.  Seriously.
Great dry fly fishing throughout the GALLATIN RIVER, and more than likely, it is going to just get better.  There are some nocturnal stones and Spruce Moths in the Canyon, and small terrestrial fishing closer to town.  Still some great caddis fishing just before dark. The river is quite low, but fishing well, and the low flows provide even better access than usual.
Current Flow:  583 CFS at Gallatin Gateway
Fishing on the MISSOURI RIVER has been mostly in the morning.  Still some caddis flying around, lots of tricos, and some terrestrial fishing as well.  Fish early, and fish late, but skip the middle of the day, unless you want to catch grass.
Current Flow: 3,050 CFS below Holter Dam

***REMINDER- Both the Lower Madison and Jefferson Rivers are under restrictions right now.  Both are closed to fishing after 2:00 PM, so anglers should fish early, handle all fish with respect, and release them quickly and humanely.***

Freestone Fly Fishing Outfitters Fishing Report 07.21.13

YELLOWSTONE RIVER:  Well, the Yellowstone River is fishing as good as ever.  Great reports are coming in from just about everyone that I talk to, regardless of where they fished.  Fishing has been great for me on the Lower river, and the big browns are eating various streamer patterns fished sub-surface:  zonkers, slump busters, and buggers are all catching great fish.  The hatches down here have petered out a bit, but still some bugs flying around.  Look for caddis, and some tricos.  Caddis pupa have been taking some nice fish in the afternoon as well.  Get this while it lasts, it is as good as fishing gets.  
Current Flow: 3,400 cfs at Livingston
MADISON RIVER:  The Madison has been fishing well until early afternoon.  I had a great day up there this week drifting sculpins and caddis nymphs, but the bulk of the Madison boys are riding the Pat's Rubberleg pattern (shocking, I know).  The bite has been strong until 1 or 2 in the afternoon, so go early and get off early.  The Lower Madison is currently under restrictions, so you must be done by 2.  Probably better to fish elsewhere.
Current Flow:  1,350 cfs at Cameron, and 1,720 cfs below Ennis Dam.
JEFFERSON RIVER:  The weeds are dissipating, but the water temps are sky high- go somewhere else.  This river should be closed.  Period.
Current Flow:  259 cfs at Silver Star
GALLATIN RIVER:  Still some great caddis fishing on the Gallatin right now.  Good reports are coming from all over the river.  Great nymphing with Rubberleg/ caddis combos, and some great dry fly fishing in the evenings, and on cloudy afternoons.
Current Flow:  685 at Gallatin Gateway
MISSOURI RIVER:  Dude...weed.   Annoying floating grass throughout the river, everywhere you look, everywhere you throw your fly- dries too.   Good early dry fly fishing (tricos) near the dam, and great nymphing down low if you can keep your flies clean.  I spent two days on the Mo this week, and that was too much.  The fish are there, they always are, but the weeds?  You can have it.
Current Flow: 3,150 cfs below Holter Dam

***Please take care handling all fish caught right now, conditions are tough enough on them, and the great double photo above is the only fish pic we took during an incredible week of fishing.  Keep the fish in the water if possible, fight them quickly, and release them properly.  We all need them***

Freestone Fly Fishing Outfitters Fishing Report 07.08.13

The YELLOWSTONE RIVER is fishing incredibly well right now, that is, if it is not dirty from an afternoon rainstorm.  NO complaints on receiving the rain, we will take every drop we can get, but enough with the mud plugs.  Fishing below town has been great with the streamer/nymph game and some larger dries as well.  The valley, normal Yellowstone River attractor flies will work throughout the day.  Get on this while it is rocking, no doubt the best river in the state right now (as usual, in my opinion)
Current Flow: 5,470 cfs at Livingston

Things aren't exactly great on the MADISON RIVER right now, but not exactly horrible either.  The river is finally getting the discharge it needs out of Hebgen, so the fishing pressure will spread out a bit. Go early, and beat the crowds/heat.  The fish are eating dries quite well, which is great, but the bite goes south in the afternoon.  The Lower river is very warm, very weedy, and full of tube-folk.  If this is your destination, launch the boat at sun-up, and stay out in front. Warm. Too warm, but pulse flows have begun.  Give these fish a break for a while.
Current Flow: 1,260 cfs at Cameron 1,750 cfs below Ennis

The JEFFERSON RIVER has more grass in it than my front yard.  Not a good option right now.  Last year was similar, and by the end of July the grass was gone- stay tuned.  Not a good option right now- oh wait, did I say that already?
Current Flow: 963 cfs at Twin Bridges

I fished the GALLATIN RIVER yesterday, and it was great.  Fish eating the usual (Chubby), and some great nymph fishing as well.  The river had a lot of pressure yesterday due to lack of options and mud, but it still fished. I also heard reports of great dry fly fishing way up the canyon-  great place to fish right now.
Current Flow: 1,170 cfs at Gateway



Good  reports coming from the MISSOURI RIVER right now.  Lots of bug activity: PMD's, caddis, sallies, stones, and the trico's are really going strong.   There is quite a bit of grass in the river, but the fish are eating.  They are a bit spooky in the sun, but fishing has been great for the majority of the day.  If you can keep the flies clean, the fish will bite.

Current Flow: 2,810 cfs below Holter Dam

Freestone Fly Fishing Outfitters Fishing Report 06.30.13

YELLOWSTONE RIVER:  Wow, there is no place in the world that I would rather fish right now than the Yellowstone River.  Day long action, bugs of every shape, type and size are hatching, and the fish are chowing.  Aside from some VERY dirty water below the Shields River today, the river was in great shape.  Floated through town, and really got em.  Mayfly stuff in the AM, Sallies mid-day, and caddis in the afternoon.  This the best fishing in Montana- hands down.
Current Flow: 6,790 cfs at Livingston
MISSOURI RIVER:  The Mo is still fishing well, although the dreaded grass is beginning to show, and that is always a hassle. PMD's, good Little Sally action, caddis, and some nocturnal stones throughout.  The Missouri is always a good option...
Current Flow: 3,230 cfs below Holter Dam
GALLATIN RIVER:  The Gallatin River has cleared and fished quite well this week.  I had one of my best big fish days this year in here, and everything was just great, and then it rained yesterday.  Really rained, and the river got a bit of color again.  We will be back in here very soon, and the good fishing will come right back.  Lots of bugs- PMD's, caddis, and some stone fly action.  You can fish however you like right now and catch fish- it is that good.
Current Flow: 1,590 cfs at Gallatin Gateway
JEFFERSON RIVER:  The Jefferson River fished quite well this week, but the dreaded grass is floating here.  The morning bite has been really strong, and the action just sort of peters out around 2.  Until it cools a bit, and that grass settles out, I would go elsewhere.  It hurts me to say this..
Current Flow: 1,600 cfs at Twin Bridges
MADISON RIVER:  Salmon flies are still going strong on the upper portion of the Upper Madison, lots of caddis, some PMD's, and Sallies here too.  The river is a little light on water, but is still fishing well.  The Lower Madison is full of tube-folk, and is running quite low.  A dawn patrol or evening gig is in order right now if you would actually like to enjoy your fishing experience.  I did hear of a 25" brown that was caught on a dry, but I have been living on the Yellowstone right now.
Current Flow: 984 cfs at Cameron and 1,260 below Ennis Dam

Freestone Fishing Report: 06.24.13

Wow, I love this time of year.  Everything is clearing, dropping, and really giving up some great trout.  I have been all over this last week, and not one day was less than stellar.  From the Big Hole to Big Timber, the trout are on the feed.  We are looking at a great lead in to July and beyond.  Bozeman is the PERFECT PLACE to be a fly fisherman.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER:  A little low for this time of year, but my oh my, is it fishing well.  Had a 17 mile float two days ago, and never saw another boat.  Had a single angler, and about 50, yep 50 came to the net.  Streamers in the morning, and then the usual bobber rig the rest of the day.  Try zonkers, sculpins, and buggers with some caddis pupa behind. 
Current Flow: 6820 cfs at Livingston
JEFFERSON RIVER:  Surprisingly, the Jeff has a good bit of water in it, and has been fishing very well.  The usual solitude and big fish aplenty over here, sorry if I don't rattle off any fly suggestions, but I would like to keep it to myself.  If you want to know what to use, you must be in my boat.  Sorry...
Current Flow: 2590 cfs at Twin Bridges
MADISON RIVER:  The Madison is fishing very well.  Lots of great reports of Salmon and Golden Stones, and good water conditions.  The streamer/bead head combo is deadly right now, and if you are up for some dawn patrol fishing, great mornings with big dries.  The Lower is fishing well with PMD's, caddis, and sallies.
Current Flow: 953 cfs at Cameron, 1250 cfs below Ennis Dam
GALLATIN RIVER:  The Gallatin is really coming around right now, and fishing should improve daily.  We keep waiting for the big Stones here, and it should be any day now.  Once the Gallatin greens, it will be nice and consistent as always.
Current Flow: 1460 cfs at Gallatin Gateway

MISSOURI RIVER:  The Missouri is still shockingly low, but fishing very well.  The fish are eating PMD's and caddis on the surface, and the nymphing has been incredible.  There is not one bad float up here right now, the entire river is fishing well.
Current Flow: 3160 below Holter Dam

Freestone Fishing Report 06.15.13

Lots of great info to report today.  After  three great days of fishing, hitting some of the best available water, I am writing with much enthusiasm.  Private waters fished great this week- Armstrong Spring Creek, was fantastic with some unexpected dry fly fishing, with ants of all things.  Yesterday was the Jefferson, and we caught the elusive brown drake hatch head on.  Rising fish for most of the day, and a couple of big ones made the day absolutely perfect.  We ducked the wind, and had great dry fly fishing in JUNE.  Today was spent on private water again, and the River Why produced several great brown trout, and not a soul around...

YELLOWSTONE RIVER:  Things are still pretty iffy here, but looking good for the near future.  The river has been steadily falling, and should be perfectly green in a couple of days if things stay the same.  A little tough to row, so be careful if you go.  This river is about to get REALLY GOOD.  Current flow: 9320 cfs in town.

JEFFERSON RIVER:  The Jeff is just about perfect for fishing right now.  We had great success on dries, streamers, and nymphs this week, totally dependent on which float and weather of the day.  The usual June fare worked well: crayfish, worms, various mayfly dries, and little rainbow trout patterns.  Love the Jeff this time of year.
Current flow: 2860 cfs

MADISON RIVER:  Both sections of the Madison (Upper and Lower) are fishing well.  The Lower has PMD's, Sally's, and caddis- some reports of Salmon Flies as well (if you are into that sort of thing).  Stonefly nymphs, dead-drifted sculpins, and caddis pupa have been taking some nice fish on the Upper.  Either choice should be great right now.  Get 'em while its green
Current flow: 1340 @ Cameron and 1990 cfs below the Dam

GALLATIN RIVER:  Still terribly high and dirty.  Fish somewhere else...
Current flow:  see above

MISSOURI RIVER:  PMD's.  Caddis.  The river is unbelievably low and the fish are chowing dry flies right now.  This week is looking to only get better.  Strange to see the river so low in June, but we will take it. For now.
Current flow: 3180 cfs