Stillwater and Yellowstone in Good Shape!

The Stillwater is about perfect for float fishing above Absarokee. Good flow, gin clear water and willing trout. Not much on the dry fly, but a girdle bug or dark bead head dropper was gettin’ it done yesterday. I look for the dry fly action to heat up in the next few days. Below Absarokee, the water is off color but fishable. Wade fishing is difficult. Crossing the river on foot is not an option.

The Yellowstone is more green than brown. Flows are high, but it’s definitely fishable. Fish big stonefly nymphs like the girdle bug, Montana stone, or any big rubber legged nymph under a bobber (sorry, I mean “indicator”) with lead to get it deep in the big holes.

Rock Creek is fishing well, but wade fishing is difficult. Crossing the creek will be very challenging. Try the same flies as listed for the Stillwater.

The west fork of Rock Creek, West Rosebud, East Rosebud and other small streams are clear and fast. Fish the pockets behind rocks and structure, or deep holes. Use a girdle bug with a little split shot, bouncing along the bottom. Keep the rod tip high and a tight line to the fly.

The high mountain lakes are ice free and fishing well on parachute Adams, ants, bead heads under an indicator and streamers.

Low country lakes are getting a bit warm, but fish are being taken on damsel and dragon fly nymphs and adults.

We don’t often get the opportunity to fish area rivers and streams before the first week in July, so get out there and enjoy it!

Craig Beam

Montana Trout Scout

4068553058

Water Dropping Fast!

The Stillwater and other local streams are dropping fast. Wade fishing is still out, but float fishing is definitely an option. It will be fast and furious. Clarity is good above Absarokee. Good time for a combo white water/fly fishing trip. Try a big stonefly pattern on top with a beadhead dropper right on the bank. (Not two feet out, as close as you can get it!) Another good bet is a stonefly nymph about three feet under an indicator. Fish this rig a couple of feet off the bank.

Try a Jack Cabe, Stimulator and any foam rubber leg in brown or tan for the dry fly. Large half backs, girdle bugs, Montana stones or just a brown wooly bugger will work for the stonefly nymph. Rubber leg Hare’s Ears, and the Montana Prince are good choices for a bead head dropper.

Craig Beam

Montana Trout Scout

406 855 3058

Beautiful spring day on the upper Stilly. Remember this, Moira?

Montana Bass on the Fly

When the rivers are high, we can still have a great time fly fishing! Here are a couple of nice bass from a secret location near Red Lodge this morning. The bass wanted a big bugger, the trout were all about the beadhead. Duh.

Father and son trips are always fun!

Lakes and Tailwaters the Best Option

Nice bow are the ant!

Browns were cruising the shallows.

All area streams and rivers are officially blown out. Run off is in full swing. That means fun on the area lakes (and the Bighorn at Ft. Smith). The Horn is running a bit high, but the fishing is good. It’s back to the worm/scud combo with the higher flow. Still quite a bit of moss, but well worth the trip.

The Bighorn at Thermopolis is high and dirty. Rock slides in the canyon from torrential rains last week will continue to have a negative effect for quite a while. If you fish it, bring your best dirty water game: big black buggers, worms (try purple), and dark leech patterns.

The lakes in Wyoming are fishing well on callibaetis imitations, ants, midge larvae and leeches pulled and twitched through the weed beds. Some damsel flies are around, but are not a real factor yet. (Newton Lakes, Luce and Hogan).

The Shoshone is high and dirty in Cody.

Here are a couple of fish taken on Newton today.