By Jan Axtell
YELLOWSTONE RIVER
Streamflow: 6,970 Cubic Feet per Second on July 1 >>
The Yellowstone River has been fishing very well over the last few weeks. The river is seeing hatches of PMDs, green drakes, Yellow Sallies and caddis flies, making for some outstanding dry fly fishing, especially in the afternoons. Additionally, anglers are reporting nocturnal stonefly shucks on rocks. Cool evening temperatures and recent rainstorms have kept the river at great flows with cold water.
Nymphing has been extraordinarily productive in the mornings. A rig with a large stonefly pattern paired with an attractor nymph has been producing fish all day.
Despite an unusually warm and dry winter, the Yellowstone is currently in great shape and fishing very well.
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks (Armstrong's, DePuy's, Nelson's)
The pale morning dun (PMD) hatch is in full effect. All three Paradise Valley spring creeks have been fishing exceptionally well.
Early on, fish are eating nymphs under indicators as insects begin to migrate to the surface. An emerger pattern has been useful. During the main hatch, fish have been eating duns. We've done very well with a size #16 comparadun with a short dropper and a size #18 pheasant tail nymph. The pale morning dun hatch begins most days at approximately 10:30 a.m. going through mid-to-late afternoon.
These are the days you read about. Outstanding dry fly fishing at its finest...the kind of fishing you tell your grandkids about.
Anglers should have all life stages of the PMD on hand during the hatch and adjust appropriately to what the fish are eating in front of them.
During heavy blanket hatches, it can be useful to give your dry fly a small twitch when it is amongst a lot of naturals. This draws attention to your fly, but do not overdo it.
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About Jan Axtell
Jan is a father, husband, and guide in Livingston, Montana. A self-described “Jackass Of All Trades,” he has guided trout anglers for 25 years in Wisconsin, Vermont and Montana.
He guides on the Yellowstone River, the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, the Bighorn River, and in Yellowstone National Park.
When not fishing Jan enjoys Nordic skiing, reading, wingshooting over his pointing dog…and more fishing.
Additionally, he enjoys tying flies for his clients, area fly shops, and his own fly box.
He lives in Paradise Valley with his very loving and tolerant wife Vicki, their very awesome daughter Zoe, and their two dogs Greta and Parker. He and his family operate Fin & Feather Enterprises together “in 3-part harmony.”
