Jacklin's Fly Shop Fishing Report

SUMMER SEASON: June 20 to August 1

The upper Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon Rivers in the Park, are good choices during late June and the first part of July. Small mayflies and caddis will hatch almost every morning and evening.  Great evening hatches of caddis and Rusty Spinners bring the big fish to the surface.

July has been noted as the "Month The Madison Goes Wild." Usually, around the last week of June and over the Fourth of July weekend, the renowned "Salmon Fly Hatch" will start on the lower Madison River.  Each day, the giant Stone Fly hatch will progress upstream from Ennis, MT.  The trout will feed on either the nymph or the adult stage of this large aquatic insect.             Mid-July offers an abundance of fishable water.  Alpine Lakes are open and in prime shape for the back-country fisherman.  All of the smaller rivers and streams have warmed and cleared, and  will have good hatches of in­sects.

July l5th is the normal opening of the Yellowstone River within Yellowstone Park.  From its outlet at Yellowstone Lake to the Upper Falls, the river is a large body of water with an even flow.  Here the river parallels the road for approximately twelve miles. This unique fishery is in reality a wild native hatchery of Yellowstone Black Spotted Cutthroat Trout averaging in size from l4" to l8."  This portion of the upper Yellowstone River has insect hatches which are quite predictable, and the brilliant Cutthroats are not usually selective.   If you like large trout rising to dry flies and lots of insects hatching, the Upper Yellowstone River is a must.

LATE SUMMER: August 1 to August 31

August brings low-water conditions and a change in tactics for the fisherman.  The upper Madison River, Firehole River, and many of our small streams are low and clear.  Using Grasshoppers, Ants, Crickets, and other terrestrial imitations will produce some great mid-day fishing.   Trophy-size trout will take up feeding stations near the banks of rivers and streams to inhale grasshoppers which have fallen in the water. Remember, late summer is the prime time for all small streams.  Here in Yellowstoneland, just about all rivers, streams and even rivulets have a population of wild native trout.  Starting in the high elevations of Yellowstone, and flowing north into Montana along Highway l9l, the Gallatin River is a clear, cold mountain stream.  Due to the late runoff and cold temperature, the Gallatin River is most productive from mid-July through late Fall.

EARLY FALL: September 1 to Sept. 20^th

Because of the cooler conditions in the high country at this time of year, much of the insect activity is focused during the middle of the day.  Small mayflies and some caddis can hatch on the Firehole, Madison, Henry's Fork, and many of our smaller streams.

About September 10^th the brown trout in Hebgen Lake will have started their annual spawning run. The average size spawner is from two to three pounds. The Platte River, Light Spruce, and the Woolly Bugger are my favorite flies.

LATE FALL:  Sept 20 to Oct. 3l

Along with the fall run of brown trout out of Hebgen Lake, we have a fall run of large rainbow trout.  These fall run rainbows will also average from two to three pounds with some larger.  Most of the fishing in late fall is on the upper Madison River near West Yellowstone.  The Fire­hole, Gibbon and the South Fork of the Madison also have fall runs of brown trout.

For more information  please call  406-646-7336 -Bob Jacklin