Trout fishing good, getting better
By MARK HENCKEL - Billings Gazette - 07/31/08
Grasshopper patterns are becomes the go-to flies in the afternoons for trout with big nymphs and streamers producing best in the mornings.
Walleyes are heading deeper and getting a bit more sporadic in their feeding sprees on all waters. But a handful of Chinook salmon have been caught recently on Fort Peck Reservoir near the dam. It's still too early to say if there’s going to be a good salmon run this year.
Here’s the rundown on a wide array of waters in this week’s fishing report:
Canyon Ferry Reservoir: The most consistent bite on Canyon Ferry has been mosquitoes. Rainbow fishing has been fair around White Earth trolling leaded line with spoons 25-35 feet deep. Anglers continue to catch walleye on bottom bouncers off the south dikes. n Eric Roberts, FWP, Helena.
Flathead Lake: The lake whitefish bite is still developing. Sometimes, you get into them in good numbers. Sometimes you don’t. Lake trout fishing has been good. n Mark Ward, Montana Outdoor Radio Show. Gallatin River: The river continues to drop and clear with attractor patterns working in the canyon and fish starting to look up for grasshoppers. n Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
Madison River: It’s fishing very well with golden stones, sallies, caddis, PMD’s and even some tricos working. In the morning, use nymph, sculpin or rubberleg patterns. n Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
Hauser Reservoir: Rainbow fishing is fair with a few being caught from shore below Canyon Ferry Dam on worms and marshmallows. Walleye fishing is good in the Causeway while using chartreuse jigs tipped with a worm or leech in 10 to 15 feet of water. n Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.
Holter Reservoir: Some nice rainbows are still being caught early morning or late evening while trolling cowbells tipped with a crawler around Split Rock and the Oxbow. Walleye action is good throughout the reservoir, but most are small. n Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.
Missouri River, Below Holter: Some PMD’s, caddis and tricos are on the water. Hopper action is starting. Flows are at 4,300 cfs. n Garry Stocker, Montana Fly Goods, Helena.
Yellowstone River, Columbus: Yellow and brown streamers are working. Parachute tan hoppers are also taking trout. n Mike Segota, Suds ‘n Bugs Fly Shop, Columbus.
Yellowstone River, Livingston: There is still a lot of water moving downriver but big nymphs, sculpins and rubberleg patterns are working well to take trout. n Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.
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