The fishing in South Western Montana has really been heating up! Salmonfly Fever on the Madison has flooded Ennis with drift boats, rafts, and wade anglers; however that being said, there have been some very nice fish caught on salmonfly dries this week. Although flows are still high (and dangerous in sections), guides have been floating the Yellowstone already with marginal success. We like to fish the Yellowstone at 10,000 CFS or less, (currently CFS is 13,000 at Carter’s and dropping). The river finally has a hint of green tint to it rather than brown, which is a welcomed change. The extra elbow room is nice, but likely won’t last long.
In addition to salmonfly fever, we’ve also seen some epic PMD hatches on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. PMD nymphs have been the way to go in the morning, but starting around 10:00 we have been seeing duns and fishing dries and emergers. Be sure to eat a late lunch as you’ll want to take advantage of the heat of the hatch. By 2:00-3:00 things will be slowing down and lunch will start sounding better and better. If you don’t have dinner plans, some of the best fishing will happen from 6:30-7:00 on for the spinner fall. Keep an eye on the wind, as the calmer evenings will keep more of the spent spinners in the water. If you can’t stay late, be thinking ants, beetles, small hoppers from 4:00-6:00.
