Autumn has arrived and cooler temperatures have brought the water temps down and created more ideal fishing conditions. Terrestrial fishing continues to remain excellent our rivers and always makes for an exciting surface take. Keep your fly box filled with different types of hoppers and ants to find the exact pattern the fish are keyed in on. Early morning tricos are winding down but have still been in action for some of the area rivers and provide the ultimate challenge of catching fish on tiny dry flies. As we get further into the month, we will start shifting focus to larger fish with streamers and big nymphs for hungry brown trout.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
- Good
Southwest Montana Fishing Report Overview Early Autumn is a transition time on rivers and streams across Montana and some exciting options present themselves as nights get longer and water temps begin cooling down. Fishing is generally very good but is also less predictable depending on the...Read more
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions The Yellowstone has cooled off significantly with the recent rains and early cold fronts over the past few weeks. We are creeping back into the 25th percentile for flows instead of flirting with record lows. Fishing has picked up with cooler waters as well. The early mornings are...Read more
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions: The upper continues to be one of the best options in our area. Water temps remain in good shape on most of the river. Hatches are now winding down which has helped the fish to become more opportunistic with attractor nymphing very consistent. Streamers early have been producing...Read more
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The lower is really starting to come into fall form. Streamers can be a great choice to find fish while they move into their fall patterns. Crayfish continue to be a good option to find some willing fish. Drop something small and shiny off the back of your bigger flies to find...Read more
Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Gallatin continues to fish well. Water temperatures are good on the lower reaches of the river and reduced irrigation demands are resulting in more water down low. Flows are at base level in the canyon. Fishing is not just a morning game and as temperatures drop the...Read more
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions: Terrestrials will rule the roost in late August and September. Tricos are also important in the early morning, especially at the MZ ranch. Spring creeks are tough but always have cold water and are a nice mid summer option - the trout are always there and feeding but they aren't...Read more
Stillwater River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Stillwater River is a nice option right now and is producing some very good action on nymphs. The pressure has really dropped off and the water temperatures are terrific. The river is low and bony and best wade fished in most locations. Although smaller dries will still take...Read more
Boulder River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Boulder is low and clear with the exception of some thunderstorms that can put a bit of sediment into the lower water below the West Boulder for a short duration from time to time. There is still a bit of hopper action down low but smaller dries that imitate larger mayflies...Read more
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: The fishing closure has been lifted with the recent rain that has raised the water levels as well as cooled the temps off. The river is still running about half of the normal cfs, so it's still very low so keep an eye on afternoon water temps. Terrestrials should be the name of...Read more
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The East is low and technical now. A mixed bag of late tricos, early baetis and mahogany duns are coming off and fishing can be good if you make a careful approach. This is more like spring creek fishing this time of year and a reasonable skill level is a prerequisite to for...Read more
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Missouri near Craig and Wolf creek is producing some daily morning trico action and rising trout. Terrestrials are more important after lunch and nymphing the seams and riffles also can produce with small technical patterns. Water temps are cool closer to the dam but higher...Read more
Ruby River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Ruby is a very fun early autumn option. Visiting anglers really drop off in numbers and the river doesn’t see much pressure. Browns start to become less moody and the catch rates become a bit more predictable. Cloudy days can produce some dry fly action over early baetis...Read more
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions: The smaller private ranch stillwaters are still producing some great fishing. Sight casting small nymphs or dries in the morning has been productive along with slow stripping damsel flies. In the afternoons beating the banks with hoppers can produce some explosive takes. Pay...Read more
Small Streams Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions: The smaller streams around Montana are a still a great option. Some of the valley streams see more water as irrigation wraps up but they can still be low. Hopper fishing can extend well into October on many of these smaller waters. The colder mountain streams become less...Read more
