Fishing Report 08.01.11

Yellowstone River: 8,830 cfs at Livingston, MT

The Yellowstone is just about perfect right now. We are still on the dirtier side of the much coveted "green", but the fish are eating very well. I personally have been using the streamer/bead combo under the bobber, but reports of streamer eaters are trickling in. I have spent 5 of the last 7 days on the Stone, and hope for another 27 in a row (my next day off is the 29th). It is just going to get better and better here. Some fish are up eating caddis dries throughout the day, but olive caddis pupa, sally nymphs, and olive streamers have been the ticket.

Jefferson River: 1,750 cfs at Silver Star, MT

The Jeff is still fishing quite well, despite what you may have heard. We are a week or so away of nocturnal stones and hoppers, but the flow is good, and the fish are still eating the usual suspects. Big fish eat little fish, plain and simple. The fish on the Jeff have consistently eaten the big bug under the bobber, or slowly stripped behind the boat. Various sculpin patterns have produced depending on the day, and the trusty crawdad bite has been pretty solid too. Not too much bug activity this time of the year on the Jeff, but still some caddis around. Smaller terrestrial patterns are catching some good fish if they are thrown in the right spot.
Madison River: 1,390 cfs at Kirby Ranch

The Madison has been really good as of late, the big dry fly bite has slowed down quite a bit, but fishing is still really consistent. Mornings have been better, but fish are being caught from ramp to ramp. Caddis, yellow sallies, and mayfly patterns in all shapes, sizes, and life stages are picking them up. The streamer under the bobber has been the ticket early in the day, and throwing small dries has produced quite well later in the day.
Missouri River: 5,910 cfs below Holter Dam

What can be said about the Missouri? Still great flows, yet the water is down a ton from a week ago. The old water line can be seen on the bridge abutments and the big rocks up there, really a trip to see just how much water went through there. The fish on the Mo are fat and happy, and still eating. Dry fly guys rejoice, because the fishing on the surface has been fantastic. Caddis, PMD's pretty much throughout the day. Being an "out of the area" guide, I spent two days in the canyon, and we got em good on little fish and crayfish patterns, trailing some caddis secret caddis pupa.

Gallatin River: 1,390 cfs at Gallatin Gateway, MT
The Gallatin has shaped up very well as of late, and the fish are in great shape. Standard Gallatin fare is producing, and the fish are starting to eat some dries. I would fish a rubber leg nymph, with a first name of Pat, trailing some caddis stuff or some bright, flashy nymph like a lightning bug. I have heard of some moth activity up towards Big Sky as well, and that is just plain fun fishing there, that moth fishing.

What a great time of year to fish Montana, and the fall is looking to be the best yet. September and October will be great this year, and I think August (especially on the Yellowstone) is going to be some next level fishing.

Fishing Report 07.21.11

Fishing everywhere has been good to great, with the exception of the Yellowstone, which is days away from clearing. When the Stone goes green, you want to be there. The fishing is so good the first few weeks after the river clears, that you will not find me anywhere else. Anyway, sorry this is so late. I cannot tell you how many times I cursed the guy that wrote a fishing report, and did not keep it current. Well, I am now guilty of that exact thing. My deepest apologies. Here you go:

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 14,400 CFS at Livingston, MT

Days away... A few hearty souls (myself included) will get on this river this weekend. The magic number for me is 12k. Streamers and nymphs, whatever you like, and throw them on heavy tippet, because all the willows will still be underwater. This is as good as the Yellowstone gets, lots of big fish, and good consistent fishing all day, each day. Make sure you are with someone that can row really well.

MADISON RIVER: 1,830 CFS at Kirby Ranch

Fished the Madison today, had great fishing. Drifting streamers and various nymphs (surprise), but did see some risers. We had good luck on olive streamers, various sculpin patterns, little yellow sally nymphs, caddis pupa and PMD nymphs. A handful of fish were up eating caddis, but they were little fish. Fished all day, and had the river to ourselves.

GALLATIN RIVER: 2,060 CFS at Gallatin Gateway, MT

The Gallatin has just come in to shape, and is fishing well. Nymphing with rubber legs, small buggers, and various beads has been very productive. The Gallatin fish are still eating some worms as well. River is still quite full, but some risers can be found if you know where to look.

MISSOURI RIVER: 9,270 CFS below Holter Dam

Great fishing up here right now. Caddis, PMD's in every shape and form. The nymphing is still spectacular, but the dry fly thing is where it is at.

JEFFERSON RIVER: 3,060 CFS at Silver Star, MT

The Jeff is still fishing very well, if you know where to go. The water is a tad warmer than expected for as much water is moving through it, but the fish are getting after it. The reports I have heard, are varying as far as what the fish are eating. I know what they are eating for me, and you will not find those flies listed here, or anywhere else.

Fishing Report 06.30.11

MISSOURI RIVER: 21,900 CFS below Holter Dam

The MO is big, but clear and fishing well. Hopefully it is not going to get much bigger than today. The name of the game up here is nymphing, the worm is still getting them, but some other big bugs are working as well. The big fish on the Missouri are eating small fish as well as PMD, caddis, and Sally nymphs. The usual worm and scud/sowbug combo is working best near the dam, but below the fish are eating streamers, crays, worms, and aforementioned nymphs. Should be quite busy on the MO this weekend, as it is still the best available option, and it is a holiday weekend.

LOWER MADISON: 6,390 CFS below Ennis Dam

The Lower is fishing well, do not let the clarity fool you. Again, the fishing is all subsurface, but he fish are cooperating very well. Personally, I love fishing the Lower when it is FULL of water- the big boys seem to let their guard down when it is ripping over there. Bring your favorite crayfish pattern, some caddis nymphs, and some small stonefly nymphs.

UPPER MADISON: 3,290 CFS at Kirby

Good reports coming in from the guys fishing the wade section above Lyon's bridge. The clarity is way better up there, but remember, no fishing from the boat. Stonefly nymphs, worms, and larger beadheads are all taking good fish. Below Squaw Creek, the clarity basically goes away, and that is that. This river, like all of the rivers listed below, will fish very well this year. August, September, and October is going to be fantastic all across the board.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER: 35,200 CFS at Livingston

Punched, like really blown out. Bigger today than I have ever seen it. Not an option at all right now. Probably a month from now, but when it comes around- look out.

GALLATIN RIVER: 6,710 CFS at Gallatin Gateway

The Gallatin is currently quite big for such a small river. Better clarity above Taylor Fork, but all and all, the river is marginal at best. I heard today that House Rock is a full two feet under water. For those of you that know of this famous rock, that should put things in perspective.

JEFFERSON RIVER: 9,190 CFS at Silver Star

High, but dropping fast. This awesome piece of water is going to come around very soon. Stay tuned. Not much going on as of today, but any day now....

Fishing report 06.14.11

Not much has changed since our last report: the Missouri is the BEST option right now- lots of great fish being caught nymphing deep, the Lower Madison is kind of fishing in spite of the high flows and dirty water, and the the upper reaches of the Gallatin and Madison are both giving up fish to the persistent anglers out there.

Missouri River: 13,500 below Holter Dam
The Mo is still fishing quite well, and the flows out of the dam have actually dropped a little bit. The game is nymphing with worms, scuds, sow bugs, and caddis nymphs. The clarity is a bit compromised at the mouths of the creeks, and immediately downstream of the two major tribs. Fish deep, and fish the soft water, and you will be rewarded.
Yellowstone River: 22,400 cfs at Livingston
Punched and high, too dirty and dangerous to even think about as of today.
Madison River: 3,390 cfs at Kirby Ranch and 4,800 cfs below Ennis Dam
The 3 dollar bridge area has been giving up some nice fish, and the Lower Madison (closer to Bozeman) has been fishing fairly well. The Lower would be my choice of the two right now. Crayfish, stonefly nymphs, caddis pupa, and sparkle worms right now. I fished it a few days back, and we did quite well.
Jefferson River: 9,690 cfs at Silver Star
Punched. Like, really blown. I looked at the river on Saturday, and it was as big as I have ever seen it. The flows have come down a bit as of today, but still not an option at all.
Gallatin River: 5,160 cfs at Gallatin Gateway
If you want to fish the Gallatin, I suggest going way up and above Taylor Fork. The Taylor Fork is the main sediment producer right now, and that being said, the water above it is not clean by any means, but cleaner. Nymphing the soft water will produce some fish. Use the normal high water rig on the Gallatin- big stonefly nymphs, and SJ worms.

The fishing is not "done" right now, you just have to choose your destinations carefully.

Fishing Report 06.03.11

Missouri River: 14,300 cfs below Holter Dam
The MO is holding steady, and still fishing quite well. The nymphing has been outstanding with a variety of sub-surface fare. Worms, scuds, PT's, some caddis stuff, well, you name it. The water is high, but clear. Get this if you can.
Madison River: 2,640 cfs at Kirby, 3,330 below Ennis Dam
Mixed reports from throughout the Madison Valley. The fishing has been spotty, the fish are tight to the banks, and in the deeper, slower runs. Look for the Madison to get dirtier in the next few days, as the water is coming in again.
Jefferson River: 6,290 cfs at Silver Star
Dropped, but still super dirty. Definitely not a good option right now.
Yellowstone River: 11,100 cfs at Livingston
The fishable window on the Stone has closed. The river was actually low enough and clear enough to fish for a few days, but was not fishing well. That has ended. The river is up again, and more than likely the Stone is out for quite sometime.
Gallatin River: 2,470 cfs at Gateway
The Gallatin dropped for a short while as well, but is back up and back out. Look to the dam controlled rivers for the next few weeks.

Don't let the runoff scare you, just go to the right rivers, and you will have great fishing. Feel free to contact us with questions, suggestions, tips, etc. Drop us an email, or give us a call. Thanks for reading.

Fishing Report 05.27.11

Missouri River: 13,600 cfs below Holter Dam
The Missouri is still fishing very well. The flows have been reduced out of Holter, but the worm is still king. Double worm combos, worms and scuds, and either scuds or worms paired with your favorite tailwater baetis nymphs in the afternoon. Me personally, I am a double wormer when I can get away with it.

Madison River: 2,290 cfs at Kirby Ranch/ 3310 cfs below Ennis Lake
Both the Upper and Lower sections of the Madison are both high, dirty, with the Upper being marginal at best, and only if you are a "glass is half full" kind of person. If I had to choose one right now though, I would prefer the Lower- I like fishing it when it is off color, great time for the big bug bite. Crayfish, worms, and little fish will all produce in the deeper buckets and along the banks. Plus, it may clear up a bit over the next few days. I would advise against making the drive all the way to the Upper, but what do I know?

Yellowstone River: 9,860 cfs at Livingston
Yes, the river is dropping. No, it is not worth fishing.

Jefferson River: 9,450 cfs at Silver Star
See Yellowstone River report above.

Gallatin River: 2,670 cfs at Gallatin Gateway
See Jefferson River report above.

There you have it. I will post again in a few days, things are tough this time of year, but there are plenty of options if you need a fishing fix. Look toward some of Montana's tailwater fisheries: Missouri, Beaverhead, Big Horn; or check our some of the under fished still water options that are everywhere, and nobody really messes with them. Last, but not least, there is no shortage of private water in Montana, and this is a great time of year to check these little creeks and ponds out. If you need additional information, please feel free to contact Freestone Fly Fishing Outfitters, we would be happy to point you in the right direction.

Fishing Report 05.25.11

***For a short time only Freestone Fly Fishing Outfitters is offering 3 day packages on the Missouri River for $600.00 per angler (based on double occupancy). This deal includes just about everything except booze and dinner. You will not find a better deal, or better fishing right now. Contact us (greg@freestoneoutfitting.com) for details.***


Missouri River: 15,400 cfs below Holter Dam. Virtually the only game in town. The Missouri is so good right now, it is not even fair. I do not know what Montana anglers would do without the MO. The game is nymphing, but the whole "that is why they call it fishing and not catching" thing does not apply- the catching has been off the charts:30-40 fish in the boat each day, and good ones. Worms and scuds of whatever variety (with some working better than others, no doubt), get this while you can.

Madison River: 2,220 cfs at Kirby Ranch, and 4,390 cfs below Ennis Dam. The Upper and Lower sections of the Madison are dirty and high, but some good reports coming in from both. Working the softer, deeper water with a variety of big nymphs, flashy nymphs, streamers, and worms. Usual high water fishing, but can still be quite fun.

Gallatin River: 3,680 cfs at Gallatin Gateway. Definitely not a real good option right now. Very high and very dirty.

Jefferson River: 7,490 cfs at Silver Star. Super high, and unfishable. The Jeff will come back in to shape quicker than the Stone, but still out for a while (think early July).

Yellowstone River: 14,900 cfs at Livingston. The Stone is DONE for a while, and probably, barring any really weird weather stuff, will be out for the duration. We can all start thinking Yellowstone again around the middle of July.

I hope this helps, the common misconception is that fishing is a non-issue in Montana this time of year, and that cannot be farther from the truth. You just have to know where to go. In my opinion, this is a great time of year to go fishing, so get out there.