“All over the place” could be the best term to describe fishing conditions right now. Early starts for some (above image), hoppers for others. Streamers are working great. Some days. So are Callibaetis. Some days. Nymph fishing on the upper river has turned on for nearly everybody.
As the weather begins to cool – and it is – we will see an intensifying of our Pseudocleon and caddis hatches. Pseudo’s suck, but if you hit some of the first big days it can be easy pickings. Those days should be coming up shortly. Like this week?
Fall caddis. This hatch continues to get bigger and impress us more each season. These smaller, browner caddis love to cover the surface like Usain Bolt. Skittering works well. Mark and a few of our other guides have really adopted the skittering caddis program, and Ninch has some excellent patterns in the shop. The Outrigger caddis is my favorite.
Streamer fishing has been good to fantastic in the last couple of weeks. If you ask me, i will tell you that August can be the best streamer fishing of the year. No one ever believes me, but it’s true. I don’t really know why, but I’ve always suspected that there is an abundance of moving critters around (fry, crawdads, damsel and dragon nymphs, leeches, baby Burbot?). Stick to the typical late-season flash, but make sure to carry some drab olive and/or black patterns as well. Move those ones slower.
Hooper/ant/beetle fishing is still good, but you need to show them that one early. Before the sun crests the hill is often the best. Way down in front of the boat is a good presentation. Small Chubby’s, Bloom’s Ant, Longhorn Beetle, and possibly a large Purple Haze.
Afternoon Callibaetis fishing has been excellent, though somewhat inconsistent. The inconsistency often stems from the fact that Callibaetis hatch “locally” on the Missouri River. In other words, in certain areas. And in not enough numbers to drift elsewhere. If you need a clue, remember that Callibaetis are typically associated with Lake fishing. Look for slow water with a silty bottom. We like both of Harrop’s cripples, Purple Haze or Parachute Adams, and big gray stackers or Flag Duns.
LOG is also fishing well, and both of our USCG Capt’s Ryan McCourtney and Jeff Parker have been having some good fishing up there. Ryan has been spending a large part of the day chasing Walleye for those who are interested. If you are call the shop and request Ryan/LOG/Leech Trip. Bring your own batter.
The “calm” should stick around for another 10 days. By then, both hatches and pressure will start to increase.
BRAY GULCH FIRE
Remember that we have a wildfire burning near Holter Dam, and that crews are working in the area. Beartooth Road is closed (as of this post) so no Bullpen access. Good luck to the crews and we hope they stay safe.
