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