USDA 2010 Hopper Prediction
We thought we’d re-post this article again as it’s gotten a lot of attention from all those anglers looking forward to their late July and August fishing trips. So here it is again…
Original Post from May:
Great news for those planning your Montana fly fishing trip for late July and August. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just reported that this summer is in for a severe grasshopper infestation. Charles Brown of the USDA stated that based on recent federal surveys many western states, including Montana, may see the most severe hopper outbreaks in the last 30 years. See image.
The Yellowstone River runs through some of the prime ranch land in Montana near Paradise Valley and toward the eastern plains. The ranch land bordering the river are mostly hay fields where hoppers can grow prolifically in both size and numbers. A perfect August hopper fishing day would include temperatures in the 80’s, a 10 to 15 mph downstream breeze and a sunny day. The heat gets those hoppers moving and the breeze knocks them into the water, where trout eagerly wait for their afternoon meal. Some of the best hopper fishing on the Yellowstone River occurs east of Livingston where the bigger Rainbow and Brown trout reside.
So while ranchers and farmers prepare for the massive infestation, fly fishers should rejoice and make sure to tie up some Chaos Hoppers and Chubby Chernobyl’s. There’s only one catch you have to be in Montana this summer to fully appreciate it!
Steve G. with a 22" Missouri River Rainbow
Summary:
We just got back from a 5 day Missouri River fly fishing bonanza. Obviously, the fishing was great but we also caught a 20″ fish every day. The dry fly fishing is just starting, but the nymphing was spectacular for the first several days.
We are heading back up this coming weekend so we’ll keep you posted.
Best Technique:
Nymphing is still the most effective technique until the water temperatures come up a bit. However we did see some Baetis, PMDs, and a few caddis are starting. Your rig should be 6 to 7 feet deep weighted heavy.
Weather & Water Conditions:
The weather was mostly over cast and gusty winds through out the week. Water temps were in the low-fifties. The water was flowing at 4,600 cfs and have started bumping 500 cfs every day for the next few days. The water color is great until the Dearborn River which is kicking up some mud, bug still fishable.
Hatches:
Light Baetis, some PMDs and a few Caddis. All starting around 11 AM.
Best Bugs:
Our flies were a small orange San Juan worm (sz 14), Bett’s Micro May (sz 16 18), and a Zebra midge (sz 18).
2010 Montana Snow Pack
The recent cool weather and precipitation has increased our Montana snow pack in the upper and lower Yellowstone river valleys. About this time of the year we stop looking at the snow pack levels and start looking at SWE or Snow Water Equivalent. SWE is a measure of the the amount of water left in the snow.
Currently the Upper Yellowstone is at 86% of normal levels. The Lower Yellowstone is at 128% of normal. What does this mean to anglers, tourists and Montana travelers? Good water conditions for trout and conditions that lower our chances for major forest fires in the late summer and fall. All-in-all it’s looking like a positive start to our summer fishing season. We’ll keep you posted.
Another spring storm warning in Montana
Winter Storm Warning in SW Montana | Really?!? 18-24 inches are predicted through today in the Beartooth/Absaroka mountains. The cool weather has been great for fishing and good for our snowpack which in now up to 85% snow water equivalent, but even the most hardy Montanans are ready for some warmer weather.
Fortunately, it looks like it’s going to get warmer this weekend – middle to upper 60s. Take advantage as the Yellowstone River is likely to start it’s spring run-off! Caddis are still popping and the March brown’s have also been abundant.
Bill with an 18.5 inch Yellowstone River Brown Trout
Summary:
Alright this has gone to just plain sweet spring fishing! If you can get here in the next 4 to 6 days do it. Yesterday and today were great fishing. When neither the guide nor the anglers can remember how many trout were caught we consider that a great day of fishing.
The weather is predicted to stay cool so spring run off should be delay until at least after the weekend. Today was the warmest it’s been in three weeks at about 55 degress, the wind was still blowing a bit but at a reasonable level. As expected at about 2pm the
March Browns and Baetis showed up. At 3pm or 4 pm the
Mother’s Day Caddis kicked off and it was the largest emergence we’ve seen yet this spring. Dry fly fish was very consistant – those fish are starting to look up. The rest of the week should be great so we’ll see you out there!
Best Technique:
The Dry/Dropper technique was most effective, however in the larger foam holes a shallow nymph rig (15-30 inches) with an nymph and emerger was best.
Weather & Water Conditions:
Mid-fifties at the warmest part of the day with variable ENE wind to about 15mph. The water was flowing at 2,010 cfs and had been relatively stable for a few days. The water color is a great caddis-y green with 2 to 3 feet of visibility.
Hatches:
Light Baetis, great March Browns and best Mother’s Day Caddis hatch to date. All starting around 1pm or 2 pm, caddis are starting later around 3pm.
Best Bugs:
Our best dry was a parachute March Brown sz 12, best emergers Cat Puke and P.T. Soft Hackle sz 14, best nymph Glass House Caddis sz 12.
Happy Mother’s Day Caddis hatch! We hope you can get out and fish it today, because some nasty weather is rolling our way. Highs over the next few days will continue to drop while the chance of rain will increase through Friday.
Not to worry the fishing will still be very good as we have a great March Brown and Baetis hatch that will be prolific with the cloud cover.
In the video fishing report you’ll see that the caddis hatch really just started yesterday. While the number of bugs on the water are not epic they are starting. Farther downstream near the 89 bridge the hatch was much heavier and we expect to see more of that today.
Stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted!
