Fishing restrictions lifted on Madison, Gallatin rivers

By Mark Henckel of Montana Lee Newspapers - 08/24/2006

BILLINGS — Fishing restrictions were lifted last week on the Yellowstone, Gallatin, East Gallatin and Madison rivers and anglers may now fish those waters at any time of the day. But don’t be fooled. While waters on these rivers have started to cool, it’s still late summer.

Late summer trout fishing means that at some times during the day, the fish will be in the doldrums. It might be an early morning and evening bite. It might be hoppers in the afternoon.

As you can see from the reports, hoppers are still a hot fly pattern, along with ants, attractor dries and an assortment of nymphs. Walleyes are down deep. Some salmon and lake trout are still being caught on Fort Peck Reservoir.

This is the last weekend before Labor Day and the start of archery big game hunting seasons and upland bird hunting seasons. Pick your fishing spots wisely as you go through the weekly fishing report: Bighorn Lake: Smallmouth bass fishing is good with fish up to three pounds. A few walleyes are also being caught. Jigs and minnows are a good bet. Crankbaits with orange bellies pulled along the walls is a good bet for smallmouth.

— Scott Lundin, Osprey Realty.

Bighorn River: Flat wax San Juan worms in orange with sowbugs and black quill nymphs and Ray Chalrles behind them is a good tactic. Good caddis action all up and down the river. Black elk hair caddis, emergers and pupas are good choices. The dry fly fishing is really good.

— Tom Osen, Bighorn Fly and Tackle.

Boulder River: Early morning fishing is good with PMD’s in size 16 and comparaduns. Hopper and caddis pupa combinations are working during the day. In the evenings, fish the caddis hatch with a peacock caddis a great pattern.

— Shelly Yeager, Rainbow Run Fly Shop.

Canyon Ferry: Shore fishing for rainbows at Magpie near the creek mouth has been pretty good. Worms or egg sacks in the morning has been working best. Boat anglers have been catching rainbows trolling spoons or plugs around Magpie and off White Earth. Walleye action is slow, with most fish caught off the south dikes on bottom bouncers with chartreuse spinners in 12-15 feet of water. Perch fishing is slow, with anglers picking up a few fish jigging between Hole in the Wall and White Earth.

— Eric Roberts, FWP, Helena.

Castle Rock Reservoir: Fishing is good for bass. Little minnows are working well. Bluegills are also hitting well along with a smattering of northern pike, walleyes and crappies.

— Scott Lundin, Osprey Realty.

Cooney Reservoir: Water levels are very low. It’s difficult to launch boats with all ramps out of the water. Some walleyes are being caught, but it’s spotty. Leeches are still your best bet. Bank fishermen are taking walleyes with leeches.

— Scott Lundin, Osprey Realty.

Gallatin River: The river has reopened to full-day fishing. The lower river is fishing well with a hopper and beadhead prince nymph. In the canyon, attractor dry flies are working.

— Kiel Duckworth, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.

Hauser Reservoir: Rainbow fishing has picked up with fish being caught around Black Sandy while jigging worms or corn in 40 feet of water. Walleye fishing is fair with fish being caught in the Causeway while using floating jigs tipped with a leech or from shore at the Causeway Bridge on leeches. Some perch are being caught in 7 to 10 feet of water.

— Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.

Holter Reservoir: Anglers are having success catching rainbows while trolling cowbells or crankbaits around Split Rock. Walleye fishing has been best at night while using jigs and leeches. Perch action has been good in 5 to 10 feet of water, however, the average size is small.

— Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena.

Madison River: Hopper-dropper is the name of the game. Smaller-sized hoppers with a prince or lightning bug dropped off the back is working well. The lower river has reopened to full-day fishing, but it’s slow due to warm water temperatures.

— Kiel Duckworth, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.

Missouri River, Below Holter: Tricos are still out in the morning. Parachute trico is good. Elk-hair caddis are also working. Hoppers, hoppers and hoppers are working in tan. Beadhead pheasant tail and MFG’s are good nymph choices.

— Joan Stocker, Montana Fly Goods, Helena.

Stillwater River, Lower: It’s low and clear. Fishing is good with Jack Cabes and hoppers. Hopper and dropper rigs are working well, too.

— Mike Segota, Suds n’ Bugs Fly and Tackle, Columbus.

Stillwater River, Upper: Wade fishing only. It’s low and clear. Presentation is critical with parachute Adams in the early morning and evening. A hopper and dropper is working during the day. There’s an evening spinner fall.

— Shelly Yeager, Rainbow Run Fly Shop.

Yellowstone River, Columbus: Buggers and muddlers fished on a sink-tip through the holes is working. Some hopper action as well. Fishing restrictions have been lifted on the Yellowstone River. Waters are running cooler and it’s very clear.

— Mike Segota, Suds n’ Bugs Fly and Tackle, Columbus.

Yellowstone River, Huntley: Catfish are hitting on cut bait and stink bait. Smallmouth bass are biting very well around Custer and Hysham on jigs and minnows, Walleye and sauger are hitting in the Forsyth-Miles City area.

— Will Suralski, Minnow Bucket, Huntley.

Yellowstone River, Livingston: Hopper-dropper is working well. Ants as a dropper — either red or black — have been working very well, too. Beadheads as a dropper are working, but not as effective as the ants.

— Kiel Duckworth, Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman.

Billings Gazette outdoor editor Mark Henckel may be contacted at henckel@billingsgazette.com or at 657-1395.