August 15, 2008 Montana Fishing Roundup
This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state. For more detailed information, contact a fly shop, bait store, or boat marina for the particular water. For detailed information on river flows, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow
It’s terrestrial time on the streams and rivers of Montana. That means fly fishermen are digging out the hopper patterns, tying on the ant imitations and looking for something big and flashy to tempt trout.
Terrestrials are land insects, as opposed to the caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies which grow and hatch from the water.
With most stream temperatures in the comfort zone for trout, the fish are feeding actively on terrestrials and are more than willing to hit these big offerings and are aggressive enough to chase down a streamer.
Stream and river fishing is good all across the state.
On the lakes and reservoirs, fish are heading deeper to find their comfort zone and avoid the warm surface temperatures. But if you go deep after them, they’re more than willing to bite.
Here’s this week’s Fishing Roundup:
Beaverhead River: Steady flows and good fishing continues. Small flies are catching big fish. There’s a multitude of hatches daily.
Big Hole River: Flows continue to decrease on the river, and rafts are recommended for floating. Look for Trico hatches in the morning. Also try attractor dries.
Bighorn Lake: Smallmouth bass are biting very well. A lot are small, but there are some bigger ones, too. Walleyes are also hitting. Jigs and small minnows are your best bet.
Bighorn River: The black caddis are out and the hopper fishing is great. PMDs are coming off and increasing in density. Still a lot of weeds floating downriver.
Bitterroot River: Terrestrial patterns are hard to beat at this time of year. Hopper and ant patterns are both producing. Some PMD’s are out as well.
Blackfoot River: Flows are dropping and the best action is morning and evening. Caddis and PMD’s are the major hatches right now.
Canyon Ferry Reservoir: Rainbow fishing has been fairly consistent throughout the reservoir. Most action has been off Confederate and Hole in the Wall trolling perch colored cranks 15-25 feet deep. Walleye fishing has been fair fishing north from White Earth and around Hellgate with bottom bouncers with green or chartreuse colored blades fished 20-25 feet deep.
Clark Canyon Reservoir: Red midge patterns continue to work well. Beadheads, purple princes, and Sheep Creeks are working well.
Clark Fork: Hopper and dropper combinations are your best bet right now. There are caddis over the water in the evenings.
Flathead Lake: After being on-and-off, the lake whitefish bite is getting better. The Woods Bay area is red hot along with the river mouth delta area. The lake trout bite is still on.
Fort Peck Reservoir, Dam area: A handful of salmon and a lot of lake trout are being caught near the dam. Walleyes are biting, but they’re down 25 to 35 feet deep and hitting on Lindy rigs and crankbaits.
Gallatin River: Trout are eating terrestrials in the valley stretch, and big attractor dries, spruce moth patterns, and caddis in the canyon.
Hauser Reservoir: Rainbow fishing is slow with a few being caught from shore below Canyon Ferry Dam on worms and marshmallows. Walleye fishing is very good in the Causeway while using chartreuse or orange jigs tipped with a worm or leech in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Holter Reservoir: Some nice rainbows are still being caught early morning while trolling cowbells tipped with a crawler. Most rainbow action has been from Split Rock to the Dam in 20 to 30 feet of water. Walleye action is very good throughout the reservoir using jigs tipped with a worm or leech and perch-colored crankbaits.
Kootenai River: Flows are dropping and fishing is good. Hoppers are the best bets for dry fly fishing, but streamers fished deep are taking some of the bigger trout.
Madison River: it’s terrestrial time on the upper river that means ants, beetles, hoppers and attractor dry flies. Still getting some on golden stones and caddis and a smattering of PMD’s.
Missouri River, Below Holter: The river is fishing well with caddis, tricos and hoppers all producing. Hopper and dropper combinations are a good choice. Fishing has been good all day.
Yellowstone River, Lower: Catfish are biting well with some big fish being caught on shrimp. Smallmouth bass are starting to bite well on a smaller minnow with a jig. A few sauger also being caught on crankbaits or Lindy rigs with a minnow.
Yellowstone River, Upper: It’s the best August fishing in many, many years. Hoppers are working well and attractor dry fly patterns are also taking trout. The big rubberleg stonefly nymphs have been a good go-to fly and streamers are working well early in the morning.
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