Montana

Hebgen: (not much has changed since the last report) – There’s still been some gulpers on the north shore, key in to the calmer days with just a tiny touch of chop. The bugs are starting to slow down a bit, but there’s still some callibaetis hatching. Tricos are anywhere the still water is too, and we’ve been producing pretty well on stripped leeches and similarly small streamers as well.

Flies: #8 Black or Olive Simi Seal Leech, #6 Balanced Squirrel Leech Black, #6 Olive or Black Hot Bead Leech, #8 Booby Leach, #8 Thin Mint, #18 BBQ Baetis, #18 Turkey Callibaetis,  #12 Balanced Damsel, #14 Olive Nugget, #12 O.S. Buzzer, #16 Found Link Callibaetis, #16 Long Tailed Spinner Callibaetis,
#16 Purple Missing Link, #20 Low Water Baetis, #20 Trico CW Spinner
Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 759 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 881 cfs
Kirby Flows: 976 cfs
Temp @ Kirby: High – 65 F
Low – 54 F

** Flows as of 12pm September 1st, 2024 **

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MRO Shop Staff Nate Green with a rare Upper Madison Cutthroat
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Upper Madison:
The weather has been trending towards the typical early fall norm. Be on the look out for BWO and smaller baetis hatches, especially on the overcast/drizzly days. Hoppers are still fishing well and you cant go wrong searching the banks with a dropper off its tail. Nymphing is as consistent as ever – small & natural is the name of the game late summer. Tricos, Epiorus, Mahogany’s, Flying Ants, and the odd caddis are all still buzzing on the upper.
Flies: #16 Sunburst Perdigon, #18 S&M Dark Baetis, #18 Purple JJ Baetis, #16 Black OR Red Krystal Dip, #14 Pilva’s Perdigon – Olive, #16 BWO Loopwing, #18 BWO Magic Fly, #16 Royal Chubby, #18 CDC BWO Biot Comparadun, #12 Yellow Carnage Hopper, #12 Pink Thunder Thighs, #20 Low Water Baetis, #16 Purple Parachute, #20 CW Trico Spinner, #18 CW Rusty Spinner

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MRO Guide Tyler Amory’s Client Hayden with a sturdy Upper Madison Rainbow
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YNP
As of August 14th, The Northeast Corner of YNP’s hoot owl restrictions on Slough Creek, Soda Butte, Lamar River, and Yellowstone River have been lifted – Have fun!
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*****The Madison and Gibbon are both open to fishing once again, the Firehole is on Hoot Owl – Legal fishing hours = sunrise to 2pm.*****

With the recent (much needed) closure of most of the fisheries on the western side of the park, and the hoot owl restrictions being lifted on the other side, our focus is shifting once again to the NE Corner of YNP.  These cutties are notorious for liking bright, bushy dries; and not being shy when it comes to rising. There’s been some drakes on the Yellowstone, but its mostly been an attractor and hopper game throughout the NE Corner. Smaller streamers and leeches can also be effective here.
Flies: #14 UV Pink Chubby, #12 Royal Wulff, #12 Slough Creek Drake Mackerel, #12 Yellow Thunder Thighs, #12 Peacock Chubby, #16 Pink Chili Dog, #18 CDC Biot BWO Comparadun, #18 Purple Missing Link, #6 CH Sparkle Minnow – Brownie, #6 Olive OR Brown Peanut Envy, #8 Thin Mint Hot Bead

Flows:
Madison near West Yellowstone: – 322 cfs
Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake: – 1340 cfs
Gibbon: -84.9 cfs
Firehole: – 230 cfs
Lamar: – 127 cfs
Gallatin near Big Sky: 279 cfs
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Get out there!