Madison River (YNP) 6-16-2010
The Madison in the Park has continued to drop and is now at a very fishy flow of around 650 CFS. The river is clear and has been producing good hatches. Anglers have had a great time on the Madison during PMD emergence, which has brought a lot of fish to the surface. Thorax and CDC Comparaduns in #16-18 are the best match for this hatch. There has also been considerable caddis activity on the Madison in the Park, both in the mornings and evenings. A Tan X-Caddis in #16 works about as well as anything, provided it is fished with a good drag free drift. Nymphing and streamer fishing continue to produce when fish aren’t rising consistently.
Firehole River 6-16-2010
The Firehole is in prime shape and should offer its best fishing of the year in the next week. Hatches are getting more dependable and there are a lot of insects on the water. Both Caddis and PMDs are numerous and there are plenty of fish rising to them. There are a few important Caddis to imitate. White Miller Caddis in #14, black caddis in #18-20 are the two most numerous. Pale Morning Duns are #16-18’s and best fished with either a dun or emerger pattern. When there aren’t hatches, swinging soft hackles and wet flies is still very effective. Tan Sub-merger Caddis will also fool a lot of trout.
Gibbon River 6-16-2010
The Gibbon is clear and fishing well. Attractor style dries, golden stones and small buggers make short work of covering lots of great water. Nymphing some of the more obvious pools can pull out the fish that won’t rise or chase a streamer, but not all of the water on the Gibbon is well suited to this approach.