Idaho Fish Report

What's Happening in Yellowstone Country Photo by Peter Scorzetti

Every angler here now is commenting how great the dry fly fishing is, and we explain they should have been here last week too! We are still experiencing what many feel is the best early summer dry fly fishing we've had in many years. Even the Firehole and Madison River in the Park are still fishing well during PMD and caddis times and this will continue into next week.

The meadows along the Madison below Raynolds Bridge and downstream to Ennis are loaded with tiny hoppers which bodes well for mid to late summer fishing. The caddis are just beginning to emerge near $3 Bridge and PMD and mayflies are coming off in the morning hours.

The Henry's Fork is fishing "like the old days" according to old time veteran anglers like John and I. It is great to be a dry fly angler in Yellowstone country!

Salmon flies are stalled out near McAtte Bridge awaiting the warmer weather coming in Friday and through the weekend. If you are coming to Yellowstone you are arriving in the nick of time to fish some incredible insect emergences and trout rising to them!

Caddis flies are coming off now on the Madison from Ennis to Raynolds Bridge and the evening action is just now heating up. All of us at BRF recommend you get here as quick as you can, and bring plenty of X and Iris Caddis imitations along with PMD and green drake sparkle duns.

The Lamar River is still high and cold but Slough is fishing now and the same with parts of Soda Butte Creek. Lake action in the Park is coming on if short hikes to Wolf or Grebe Lakes are in your plans and it should be if you are looking to take a grayling or two.

There are so many insect hatches occurring now on our rivers, lakes and streams to tell you about that this report could be several pages long, but I promise not to take too much of your time by being long-winded.

It is fishing times like these that make me think long and hard about retiring! This may be my swan-song summer. I have the best life of anyone I know, but it is time to think about slowing down and fishing more places. Interested parties are encouraged to check with me.

Many Tenkara anglers have inquired as to the date our new TFO Cutthroat rod model will be out. We are very close to receiving the first 50 of these 8'6" rods. Stay tuned I this newsletter and we will let you know!

I have over 2 weeks on my new Patagonia Rio Gallegos zippered front waders, and I can report they are truly a great addition to my required equipment. Not only are they the most comfortable wader with awesome kneepads which was my idea; they making drinking lots of fluids on warm days much more enjoyable and easier for us guys. For the ladies, Patagonia is poised to release its new line of fishing products just for gals. You will not believe the innovative gear for women; from waders to undergarments and more. I promise both women and men will be blown away by the awesome lineup just for women anglers. Stay tuned here for up-to-the-minute information as these products are released. Every lady angler should be excited, and will be pleased!

We've been working with a line and leader manufacturer on new leaders and fly lines. That's all I can say at this time but you'll be amazed what we are about to introduce to anglers fishing demanding situations. Watch in future reports this next month as we bring these great products to you. All of us are very excited.

Tamara Achauer With a nice Brown (Photo #1)

One final note; our weather is about to turn sunny and warm, typical for July. After a cool-wet June look for some very good evening caddis fishing to develop in the following 2 weeks. Too, Epeorus mayflies are imminent so be prepared. We are coming into a dry fly period everyone will enjoy this summer. While we have low water conditions our sampling has indicated this will be a dry-fly year we will remember for many years to come. Heck, it has already!

You'll be seeing a new email newsletter most every week throughout the spring and summer to keep you tuned in to all things fly fishing and fly tying in the greater Yellowstone area and beyond. Throughout the seasons, we'll keep sending you news of hatches and fishing holes around West Yellowstone. So without further delay, go ahead and jump right into the newsletter. And as always, don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email if you have any questions, or if you just want a little fish talk.