By Jan Axtell
Good afternoon, fly anglers. We hope you've had the opportunity to get out and enjoy some time on the water over the last few weeks. The fishing has been phenomenal. We can thank late-season snow and rainy days for some of the great conditions we experienced over the course of the last couple of weeks.
As we look forward, we are seeing and expecting dropping river flows and higher temperatures. We are optimistic about fishing throughout the region due to the great stretch of cool, rainy and snowy weather we've had.
Yellowstone River
Streamflow: 5,400 Cubic Feet per Second on July 1 >>
Yellowstone River flows continued to drop over the last few weeks. Intermittent rain created some mud, but the river has generally cleared very nicely since. The fishing on the Yellowstone has been fantastic. The dry fly bite has been a pleasant surprise to everyone on the river. We are having great fishing on green drakes, Yellow Sally stoneflies and PMD mayflies. Additionally, fish are taking streamers either stripped or dead drifted under an indicator along with large stonefly nymphs.
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks
The PMD hatch continues to be the news of the day. We are seeing reliable emergences between 10:30a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Fish are taking all stages of the mayfly lifecycle. Early in the hatch, fishing a double nymph rig can be quite productive. As the hatch progresses, use an emerger and a dun. Stick to duns later in the day, and finally, spinners in the evenings.
Additionally, we are seeing fish eating some small terrestrials like ants and beetles as well as small baetis spinners, small caddis (black and tan,) and midges.
Yellowstone National Park
The northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park is coming on line. We are hearing reports of great fishing on the Yellowstone in the park, the Lamar River, Slough Creek, and Soda Butte Creek. We are expecting to see stoneflies hatching, which will make for a great Chubby Chernobyl bite. From here forward, we should see excellent fishing for native cutthroat trout in the Lamar Valley and the Yellowstone River.
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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.”
