Well, conditions are finally approaching normalcy around here. Aside from the Missouri running at 3000 cfs (barely), it is starting to feel like June.
After an incredible (and unheard of) first week of June on the Yellowstone River, the river has blown out again, and looks to be on the climb for the short-term at least. For the first time that I can recall, the Yellowstone was fish-able during the first week of June. That party is over..Yesterday morning the river was 7140, today 9470 cfs.
The Missouri River was great this week as well. However, it certainly did not feel like the first week of June there either. The river was low, clear and virtually empty of boats- plus there were fish eating dry flies. Not at all like the last couple of years. I did fish a SJ worm for a bit- just feeling a bit nostalgic. Crawdads and caddis pupa worked well in the canyon, fish were eating caddis dries fished blind at the likely spots down there as well, and a variety of the usual suspects under the bobber produced fish when we were closer to Craig. The usual suspects include: SH Tungsten PT, Red Headed Stepchild, Mercer's epoxy PMD nymph, etc. Every dropper fished caught some fish, as long as it was a #16. The Mo fished well, it just felt weird...
The Madison River fished very well, at least for most of the day yesterday. We were on the Lower yesterday, and things were quite good from the start of the day until Cherry Creek. From there down, fishing slowed down a bit. Sculpins and various beadheads produced quite well (surprise, surprise). A variety of PMD nymphs, Sally nymphs, and caddis pupa all worked throughout the day, with some nice fish eating the sculpin under the clouds. The Lower is holding steady, and should fish for the next few days at least: 1620 cfs
The story on the Upper Madison is a bit different today. After a very good few weeks up there, things are back to June. The West Fork and Indian Creek are throwing mud, and the Upper is not really an option as of today.
After a week of declining flows,the Jefferson River has started to climb once again. We were not sure if there was any snow left in the Big Hole drainage, but apparently there is some left up there somewhere. We will keep our eye on this, probably still okay- dirty, but okay. Nymphing with some big stuff and worms in the slower water will still give some action, and of course, streamers...
The Gallatin River has jumped 1000 cfs over the last few days, and is the only river in the area that is close to "normal" right now. That river is reliable on every level. Stay above the Taylor Fork if you want to go, and things might be okay. I would probably just go somewhere else.. The Gallatin is over 3000 at Gateway, that is big, and average for today.
June is here. Finally.
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