Idaho Fish Report

Fishing Report
Weekly Conditions and Tips

Photo and Fishing Report by Craig Mathews

The Henry's Fork is fishing well near Ashton, Idaho as well as the RxR Ranch stretch that opened last weekend. Green and gray drakes as well as PMD's and a couple caddis should be expected. Our Improved PMD Sparkle Dun #18 as well as our famous PMD Foam Emerger and Nymphs are scoring well on the Ranch and downstream. Iris and X2 Caddis in #16 and #19 (for Iris) have taken several big rainbows during caddis times.

The Madison, Gibbon and Firehole Rivers in the Park are still fishing very well. PMD's and caddis are coming off and fish are rising to them. You will also find little golden stoneflies on these rivers with fish rising to them in selected spots. If you arrive on the river by 8am you should have fish rising to PMD spinners and caddis so be prepared. Overcast days mean PMD emergences that should be winding down but continue to come off strong on these rivers. There are even rumors of strong brown drakes on the upper Gibbon but we are having a hard time leaving the Henry's Fork and Madison to check them out.

White Miller and a Glossosoma sp caddis are emerging on the Firehole so be ready with X and Iris imitations. A #20 Black X Caddis is deadly on the Firehole near Midway and Biscuit Basin. We should have another week before the Firehole quiets until fall while the Madison and Gibbon will continue to fish well.

The Madison below Earthquake Lake has fished strong. The water is low as flows are held back to fill Hebgen Lake. Caddisfly hatches are getting going in the evenings with good emergences of Hydropsyche now from McAtee to Raynolds. Salmonflies are above 8 Mile and should move rapidly upstream in the next week. PMD's and Eperous mayflies will show this week. Both dry and nymph fishing have been super and will continue in the coming weeks so stay tuned here.

The Gallatin River is just beginning to fish well as waters drop, clear and warm. The river downstream of Taylor Fork is clearing and fishing with nymphs while upstream of the junction we are seeing some dry fly fishing with large attractors like Royal Trude and Wulff Cripples. Salmonflies due this week so call for reports.

The Gardner River is beginning to fish. Look for salmonflies and golden stones this week. The Lamar River is still high and dirty and a week or 2 away from fishing but the Slough and Soda should fish this week. Both are a bit high and cold but fish will come to attractors and buggers.

Hebgen Lake is fishing very well as are Wade and Cliff. Henry's Lake has been strong but few big trout are coming to date, this will change with damsel activity next week. In the Park look for Grebe and Cascade to fish well for those wanting to take a short hike.

As always, give us a call for advice on where to fish and what to use. Make sure you stop in for coffee and conversation and current information! We look forward to seeing you on the river and in the shop.