Report By Craig Mathews

The Yellowstone River above the falls opened this week and it fished well. As in the past several years while there is not the number of Yellowstone Cutthroats we once saw those fish still in the river are huge. Many cutts have not moved back into Yellowstone Lake and those remaining in the river run 19-23". If you decided to fish here allow yourself to take a fish for the camera then leave the river and head elsewhere. It is not worth risking hooking mortality on even one of these special trout. The good news is Park fishery folks are optimistic on the on-going recovery efforts. Please go to Yellowstone Park Foundation's web site and find out more, and how you can help save Yellowstone Cutthroat, www.ypf.org. And, check out our "Save the Yellowstone Cutthroat" tee-shirts on our web site. By purchasing one, or more, you can help save these awesome trout! Look for green and gray drakes, PMD's and caddis to bring these big cutts to the surface. Stop in for more on hatches and recommended flies.

The river downstream into Black Canyon and below has been awesome when it is running clear. Big foam flies and attractors are great bets to bring up the fish. Below Gardiner, Mt look for great action with these same attractor patterns and big hoppers.

The Gallatin River continues to fish well. After a winter with many ice flows on this great river we did not expect such a strong year from a fishing standpoint but this one has surprised us day in and out. Now Pink Lady mayflies and caddis are your hatches to consider as well as beetles and ant times during the afternoon hours. The water downstream of Taylor Fork has been subject to turbid conditions with all the recent thunderstorms so check with us before making the drive. The Park stretch has fished strongest anyway so far this year so give it a try and watch for the grizzly between mile markers 31 and 24.

The Henry's Fork has slowed lately due to increases in river flows for irrigation demands downstream. Still, if you walk and stalk you can come up with a big rainbow now and again during PMD and caddis times. During the day try a big Longhorn Beetle presented along the banks.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished well during caddis and Epeorus mayfly times. River flows have been substantially decreased this week as the river downstream of Ennis, Mt is cooling. I rather like the big flows as it concentrates rising fish to those areas trout are comfortable rising in, along the banks.

Evening caddis fishing remains strong and Pink Ladies are emerging and their spinner falls are important to both trout and anglers from Quake Lake downstream to Ennis. Look for beetles, bees and ants to begin bringing up big browns this coming week as terrestrial time begins now!

Smaller, off-the-beaten-path waters become more and more important this time of year to anglers. Look for small streams like Lava, Blacktail Deer, Grayling, upper Gardner River, Cache and Tower Creek to fish well in the Park. Outside the Park look to Taylor Fork (please take a look at this link before you consider going to the Taylors fork), lower Grayling and the West Fork of the Madison to provide plenty of action!

The Lamar River has fished well during PMD and drake times as well as evening caddis and midge periods. A big Longhorn beetle is important to have in your fly arsenal now too.

Soda Butte and Slough Creeks have fished well for most. Gray Drakes and bee patterns are a must now as are beetles and a Jiminy Cricket. The upper meadows can be worth the walk for sure. A sleeper bet this week could be upper Soda Butte Creek.......

Lake anglers should expect Hebgen and Earthquake to settle in for their reliable late summer mayfly and caddis times. These lakes can live and die by the barometer and wind patterns and lately both have been unpredictable and static. Now is the time for daily C Baetis emergences and early morning Trico activity. Late evening caddis began last week on Hebgen then sputtered during late day thunderstorms. This will change as we get into the late July-August high-pressure weather patterns. Get ready!

I have to get my fencing gloves and tools and head to Bad Luck Creek to meet Todd and get our fencing project started. Until next week, have great fishing and I hope to see you at the shop. Please call or email with questions. Keep in mind though, this is our busiest time of the year so please be patient!

See you soon and thank you for your patronage and friendship.