To the flyfishers on here, headed to montana....

[kenzmad]

Headed to 3 forks/ manhatten for 10 days come june 21. I will be fishing the gallitan and madison and some smaller creeks and small lakes.  What fly patterns to take with me? I was once a pretty good fly fisherman but havent done it in a few years. Mostly dry fly but have been known to drag a woolybugger around a bit. I will be taking some hopper imitations but need some other suggestions.

[kenzmad]

Also going to spend 3 days in yellowstone, not sure what the fishing regs are there though.

[JLS]

June will likely be too early for hoppers to be very effective.  Look up Madison River Fishing Company and call them for what hatches are going on at the time.  I'd expect some Caddis action for sure and probably some mayfly action (Pale Morning Duns I'd guess) as well..  Parachute Adams in various sizes, pheasant tail nymphs, prince nymphs, hare's ears nymphs along with a variety of elk hair caddis patterns should cover most of what you need at the time. 

You can't use any lead for weight at all in the park, so for nymphing make sure you have something non toxic if you need to sink your fly.  Also, no lead wrapped nymphs (don't know if they check for this).  Use bead heads to get a little extra weight on them.

Make sure you get your license for the park also, a MT license does not work in YNP and vice versa.

Have fun, I'll be there in July.

[turkeyfeather]

You suck!!!!!  Wish I could do a trip like that.

[JLS]

Also going to spend 3 days in yellowstone, not sure what the fishing regs are there though.

Definitely get some regs for the park.  Some of the streams, particularly around Yellowstone Lake, open late because of cutthroat spawning activity.   Also, some areas will be closed because of grizzly bear activity.

[kenzmad]

You suck!!!!!  Wish I could do a trip like that.

Ya and my oldest daughter(15) gets to stay home for summer school. Talk about missing a trip of a lifetime.
Thanks for the tip on the fly shop. Will be contacting them tomorrow.

[Gobble Doc]

Sounds awesome!  There must be some mayflies coming off.  I'd stop at the local flyshop and get some ideas.  Good luck!  Hey, try swinging a soft hackle.  It's easy.  Quarter down and do a slow retrieve.  Whammo. 

[JLS]

Depending on what part of June, you may hit some stoneflies on the Madison.

[KenPCPilot]

Definitely check the Regulations.  They are different on the same river in certain spots and on certain times of the day.  Be prepared to meet and ignore some big city fly snobs.  Be very very careful with wading.  I came as close as I ever came to drowning on the Madison.  The silt bottoms often have river running under them and you can quickly break through the crust and start sinking.  With that said it is an awesome place to flyfish.  A lot less weeds for back casting.  Weather is usually wonderful.  The morning is the best!  I found that smaller flies caught more fish.  I would use a hopper or parachute adams with a dropper bead head pheasant nymph on the slow flat water on the Madison on the West Yellowstone entrance area.  Around the big boulder area not necessary right behind them was not to bad.  My best fishing was on the Gibbon a smaller stream with mostly broke rapid like water using nymph patterns.  The fish were not as big but I caught a lot of brown trout a lot of fun.  The Gibbon doesn't have as much restrictions as some of the other rivers.  There is a flyshop in West Yellowstone I think it is called Bud Lillies that somewhat helpful.  You will need an additional fishing license if you are fishing inside Yellowstone Park.  It is pretty cheap and well worth it to hit some places in the park.  Good luck this is one of my favorite flyfishing places. 

[ribka]

Bring a float tube and fish Quake lake on the Madison  for big rainbows. Callibaetis and small black leech patterns.

Check out Hegben Lake too. Midge and Callibeatis. Big browns in there.

The Madison will be packed as you know. I ilke lightning bugs in  18-22. Big streamers at night.

maybe wander into YNP and fish Fire Hole.

[CoryTDF]

When I last fished Montana it was in June three years ago. First go to the local fly shop ask them whats hot and buy a few flies from them. I have found them to be very helpfull in all the areas of Montana that I have fished. I did well with San Juan worms, bead head pheasant tail nymphs, parachute adams, stone fly nymph, and a variety of specialty's flies that i bought from local shops. My buddy lives in Helena and he has had some absolute legendary days on the Madison fishing different variety's of midge's. Call ahead to the shops in the area and try to get an idea what they are bitting on. Most places are pretty good about helping you out. If you catch fish off their flies and advice you will be back it's a good business decision for them to help you.

[boneaddict]

You might have more fishing ops at Hegben and Quake.  I would think the water would be very heavy in June still on the Madison.   I saw the prettiest Grizz ever by the shore of Hegben.  Big silvertip!   

[jackelope]

Swing big bunny patterns, like you would swing a steelhead fly, on the Madison. If you're fishing the Gallatin and Madison, there's about a dozen fly shops in West Yellowstone that will have the skinny. We fished lots of small caddis patterns on the Gallatin. The Yellowstone in the park is pretty big water and can be tough to fish, and there will be about a ton of other people fishing. Make sure you hit Slough Creek in the northeast corner in the Lamar Valley if you have the opportunity.

You'll probably get some salmonfly action too which can be epic. Also some caddis will surely be happening. 

[boneaddict]

You may want to throw in a couple of your prized possessions in for the trip, because once you see that country YOU MAY not want to come back.    Its incredible.     I named a kid after that River, before it was hip to name your kid Madison.   

[jackelope]

I'd stop at Rock Creek too. You'll need to stretch your legs anyway after about 8 hours of driving or so. Hit the fly shop right off I-90. The Rock Creek Mercantile. Awesome old school flyshop. They'll have the scoop and the guys will probably be bellied up to a table tying whatever fly is happening at the time. It's about 20-25 miles east of Bozeman Missoula.

[boneaddict]

I think he means Missoula.

[jackelope]

I think he means Missoula.

You're right. I meant Missoula.
Duhh..

[jollyskwala]

That time of year........have a good supply of golden stones, salmon flies and yellow sallies. I think the madison is over rated and crowded but if you fish it they will be looking for stones. Fished there a bunch and guided in Montana for several years. The slide area can be good but depends on water flow. In that area be ready with sj worms and small stuff(18-20) nymphs......yes even in June.  Hebgen and Quake can be great, but you can spend days chasing fish. dont get sucked in. IMO the gallatin and other smaller rviers in the area will be the place to be. Good Luck!