Independent Record - 09/18/08

Beaverhead River: Fishing remains good, especially in the early morning. Crane flies and hoppers are working well. Small flies (16 and smaller) continue to catch big fish. Small and green seems to be the trick! With the cooler weather, Trico hatches are occurring from noon to mid afternoon. - Johanna McLaughlin, Uncle Bob's Outdoors, Dillon.

Big Hole River: Rafts make floating easier, but hard boats are still coming down - just make sure you know the river. Look for Trico hatches in the morning. If you are looking to dry fly, Wulffs, Trudes, Madam Xs, and Purple Hazes will work well. - Johanna McLaughlin, Uncle Bob's Outdoors, Dillon.

Canyon Ferry Reservoir: Rainbow fishing has been picking up throughout the reservoir. People seem to be doing best trolling Rapalas 10-15 feet deep around Hole in the Wall, Confederate, and White Earth. Shore anglers are picking up a few rainbows on worms and marshmallows in the morning at Magpie. Walleye fishing has been slow. - Eric Roberts, FWP, Helena.

Gallatin River: Action has slowed a bit with the cooler weather. Fish some buggers, sculpins and zonkers with a baetis nymph off the back. More mayfly nymphs are active in the water. Hoppers are still working down low on the river. - Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.

Hauser Reservoir: Rainbow fishing is improving with cooler water temperatures. Trolling orange or perch-colored Rapalas around White Sandy has been working best. Walleye fishing has slowed down with some small fish caught on jigs and leeches in the Causeway. - Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Anglers are snagging kokanee, however, action is still a bit slow. The snagging season for Kokanee Salmon will run through Oct. 31. Limits are 35 salmon daily with 70 in possession. - Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.

Holter Reservoir: Rainbow fishing has been good trolling cowbells tipped with a crawler early in the morning. Most rainbow action has been from Split Rock to the Dam in 20 to 30 feet of water. Walleye fishing has been slow with a few caught on jigs throughout the reservoir. - Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.

Madison River: Watch the flow charts for dropping water levels on the upper river, which will improve the fishing. Below Beartrap Canyon, this river in the fall is a tale of two fisheries, offering poor fishing on bright, sunny days and great fishing on cloudy, rainy days. - Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.

Missouri River, Below Holter: Small nymphs in size 18 and 20 appear to be your best bet. At times, you get topwater action on caddis or baetis and hoppers and ants may provide some trout. Streamer patterns are starting to attract more attention from the fish. - Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.

Nelson Reservoir: Fishing is good. Many of the walleyes are 14 to 16 inches. Jigs and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers are working. Guys running crankbaits are catching northern pike. - Dan Lowney, Westside Sports, Malta.

Stillwater River, Lower: Fishing is good. Jack Cabes, orange stimulators and hoppers in lime and tan are working well. Still some nymphing. Use anything with a little red on it. - Mike Segota, Suds n' Bugs Fly and Tackle, Columbus.

Stillwater River, Upper: Water levels have come up a bit, but hoppers are still working in the middle of the day. Droppers are working well off the hoppers. A parachute adams with a little beadhead is also working to imitate baetis. - John Bates, Rainbow Run Fly Shop.

Yellowstone River, Columbus: It's fishing well above Bratten and Greycliff accesses with hoppers and muddler minnows. Streamers are starting to work with the cooler temperatures. Brown trout are starting to stack up. - Mike Segota, Suds n' Bugs Fly and Tackle, Columbus.

Yellowstone River, Huntley: Smallmouth bass are biting on medium and small minnows with fish running up to two-pounds-plus. Sauger are being caught on minnows, as well. Smaller catfish are still biting on larger minnows and shrimp. - Will Suralski, Minnow Bucket, Huntley.

Yellowstone River, Livingston: Still some action on hoppers and ants, but give them a little action. A lot of whitefish are biting and baetis action can be very good on cloudy days. Another good technique is to dredge the deep pools and bends with heavy sinking tips and throw big meaty flies looking for hungry aggressive browns. - Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.