The flow of the river has dropped by half over the last couple weeks. The heavy rains of a week ago may have hardened the snowpack that is left and we have had a number of cold nights. The upper river above Taylor Fork and into Yellowstone Park is back in shape. Up this high the clarity varies from green to almost clear towards the headwaters. Until you are above Fawn Creek the flow is still swift so don’t attempt to ford yet. The flow and the colder water temps are holding the hatches at bay. Sticking with your favorite nymphs of stonesflies, mayflies and caddis are still the best way to get some fish until we start to see more than Midges on the water. From the Taylor Fork down the color is slowly improving. It has at least shifted to a light brown. The soft water along the edges as the water drops are great places right now to try tossing a streamer.
FLY PATTERN SUGGESTIONS
Dries: Griffiths Gnat: 18-20-22, Matt’s Midge: 20-24, Quigley’s Cluster: 16-20-24, Miracle Midge: 16-18, Brook Sprout Gray: 18-22
Nymphs: Delektable Hurless: 4-6, Mega Prince: 4-6, Mega Hare’s Ear: 6-8, Pheasant Tail: 14-18, Copper John Blue, Black: 14-18, Lightning Bug Silver, Original, Gold: 12-14-16, Bubble Back BWO: 16-18, El Diablo: 14-16-18, Little Bit of E: 14-16, Tungsten Purple Burger: 12-14, Price’s Pacifier: 8-10, Wire Worm Pink: 4, Military Mayfly: 18-20-22, Little Green Machine: 18-20-22
Streamers: BH Black Bugger: 2-4-6, Black Krystal Bugger: 6-8, Sex Dungeon Black, White, Yellow: 2, Home Invader Black, White, Yellow: 2, Black/Copper Zonker: 4-6, Sculpzilla Black, Olive, White: 2, Micro Zonker Grey, Brown, Black: 8, Bellyache Minnow Tan: 1-1/0, JJ Special: 6-8, Mr. Creepo, Yellow/Brown: 4, Cheech Leech, Halloween: 1
