by: Craig Mathews

Above Photo by John Juracek

The rains have been coming down here in Yellowstone country the past few days. BRF's basement suffered some flooding during a deluge 2 days ago. River and stream flows have dramatically increased over the last 72 hours, good news to fall anglers wanting to fish big run-up browns and rainbows of rivers like the Snake, Yellowstone and Madison Rivers. Weeks ago I wrote in this report about how spiraea, huckleberry and other bushes were changing colors early. These along with snowberries are still in color, and the snowberry bushes are full with their white fruit now too. Now we are in our fall season, and according to the calendar fall does indeed officially arrive on 23 September.

Late season browns are really moving with the cooler water from recent rains. The flows in the Madison's Park section jumped from 365 to 535 cfs in a matter of hours and this bodes well for fall run fish waiting in the Madison Arm for a spate to bring them upriver. If you have waited till now to come fish our fall season you should begin your trip to Yellowstone immediately! Yellowstone's elk are in full bugling mode now too. And, as I type this I happen to look out our dining room windows and see the first snow of the season on peaks like Finger Mountain, The Wedge and 3 Sisters in the Madison Mountain Range.

Congratulations go out this week to Greater Yellowstone Coalition celebrating 30 years of strong conservation work here in the Greater Yellowstone area.

I just looked back out our windows as the clouds are lifting in the valley and can see snow on mountains down to 8000 feet elevation. And, it is still raining, 45 degrees and just after noon so you will have to excuse me while I head down to the river to check for Baetis mayflies and trout rising to them!

I'm back after a couple hours on the river. While the little olive mayflies were not widespread in their emergence there were enough to get the big fish up in select spots along the river above the West Fork and I took a few very nice browns and rainbows on Baetis Foam Emergers and sparkle duns, #20's. My fingers are still numb, cold and stiff from the rainy 45 degree temps and typing is not easy but, I have our wood stove cranked up and the small room where I type this is up to 67 degrees now.

Later today I'll spend some time with The Nature Conservancy as they monitor the ranch's conservation easement with them. We will look at some cottonwood, willow and aspen enhancement projects, range-riparian and stream conditions and more. And, this evening I have to tie a few more BRF Baetis Foam Emergers since I went through several today.

As usual in the rest of this issue, you'll find fishing news from Yellowstone Country in the weekly Fishing Report. You can see what's hot off the vise in the Fly of the Week, get a sneak peek at some of the best materials on our tying bench in the Fly Tying Material of the Week, and stay up to date with the guide staff and their trips in the Guide Trip of the week.

Throughout the seasons, we'll keep sending you news of hatches and fishing holes around West Yellowstone. So without further delay, go ahead and jump right in. And as always, don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email if you have any questions, or if you just want a little fish talk.