Overview

The spring of 2010 has been a gem with mild temperatures and longer days.  The mild temperatures have made for prime spring fishing conditions on local waters.  Nymph fishing has been excellent along with dry-dropper combos in the riffles and shallower runs.  Streamer fishing has been very good on cloudy days and also on those days look for good hatches of Midges 18-22, Baetis 16-20 (Blue Wing Olives), March Browns 12-14, Skwallas 8-12 and a variety of smaller spring stones such as Capnias and Nemuras.  These hatches have been producing good dry fly fishing on the rivers and spring creeks.  Some caddis have been hatching on the local rivers, but the weather has not cooperated long enough to really start the hatch in full-force yet.

The third week of April saw temperatures in 60's and 70's which resulted in low elevation runoff, some dirty water and some snow pack was lost. Since about April 22, however, the weather has turned cooler and we have been receiving copius amounts of moisture laden snow.  This in turn has allowed the rivers to drop and clear making for excellent fishing conditions.  And in addition it has not only preserved, but also considerably added to our snowpack and snow water content.  The forecast for the next week is for the weather to remain mild with some additional snow and rainfall expected.  Temperatures are again expected to increase by mid May, which may signal the start of run-off. Remember though that some color can actually be a good thing.  And while rising water usually isn't good for fishing, receeding water and improving visibility can be excellent for fishing!

Mother's Day Caddis Forecast 

The Yellowstone River recently hit 60 degrees, which is key for the caddis hatch.  The water needs to remain in the mid to upper 50's for a week or so in order to get the caddis going.  The warm period in late April got some caddis hatching on the Yellowstone, but then the ensuing cooler weather and precipitation slowed the caddis down yet made ideal conditions for the Baetis and March Browns.  Temperatures for May 7-15 are forecast to be 50 - 65 degrees, IDEAL for the caddis hatch. The warm weather will help keep the water temperatures where they need to be, but the question is will it get too warm and blow out the rivers?  Let's hope for the air temperatures to be in the 50's to low 60's and cooler at the higher elevations so the local rivers maintain a clarity level that is condusive to fishing dry flies during the caddis hatch.  If it's going to happen this should be the week to catch the hatch on local rivers!!! Get your popcorn ready! 

Snowpack

We received good snowfall from October through December, but then dried up from January through March.  And while we didnt receive much moisture during these months the temperatures never warmed for long enough periods to lose significant snowpack.  We did have 60's and 70's during the third week of April in which we lost about 5% of the snowpaqck, but since then temperatures have cooled off and we have had several significant, heavy, moisture laden spring snow storms, which have gone a long way to boost our snow pack and snow water content.    Summer streamflows are suddenly starting to look much more promising than they were a month ago. A couple more good wet spring snow storms and we should be in good shape this summer.  The snowpack/water content in our immediate area is between 77%-97% of normal. That being said it's also likely that our rivers will clear sooner than they have the past 2 years.  Look for the larger freestone rivers such as the Gallatin and Yellowstone to be fishable by the last week of June.  In contrast the Yellowstone the past 2 years has not been very fishable until mid July.

Lookout for Spawning Rainbows

Be on the lookout for spawning rainbows in the spring creeks, side channels and gravelly areas of the main rivers.  If you see light colored depressions with fish spawning on them try to resist the temptation of fishing for and hassling these spawning fish so they can do their part in the future of our fisheries.  Also, DO NOT wade in these areas.  If you feel loose, crunchy gravel underneath your feet (especially in shallow water) that is light colored and forms depressions, get off them immediately - you are standing on redds or fish nests, trampling eggs and our future trout!  Do your part and be a responsible angler and conservationist,. please!

Fishing Licenses, Closures & Seasons

Also, please be advised that all small streams are closed to fishing until May 15, as is the Madison River from Quake Lake to McAtee Bridge and from the Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake.

The Yellowstone Park general fishing season opener is the Saturday of Memorial Weekend, which is May 29 this year.  Be sure to check Park fishing regulations for specific openings throughout the park as not all park waters open May 29.

Lastly, be sure that you stop by our shop and purchase your new 2010 Montana fishing license.  The new license year in Montana starts March 1, so if you haven't already picked up your license be sure to do so before hitting the water.  We have a full range of fishing and hunting licenses available for purchase in our shop.  And we also sell Yellowstone Park fishing permits, however, they will not be available for purchase until late May just before the season opener in the Park. 

Book your guided trip now to get in on this great spring fishing or schedule a trip for this summer or fall.  Feel free to call us at 406-585-5321 or email us at: info@gyflyfishers.com if you'd like to book a trip with one of our professional guides or would like any additional information about our trips or current fishing conditions.  Fishing has been superb this spring and should continue all season.  Look for more favorable fishing conditions in May and June this year with the lower snowpack and for runoff to be shorter lived this year.

Chad Olsen
Bozeman, MT
5/7/10