Where to Fish?

The most asked question that I have been fielding lately from friends and readers is just where should we be fishing right now? Needless to say, virtually all of the rivers in the region are high and muddy. Most of Idaho and Montana are also facing the same issues right now. The Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park remains the best option if you want to wet a line on a moving stream. Although it has come up in volume significantly (1,450 cfs near the confluence with the Madison River, which is at flood stage), it is still clear enough to fish the good June hatches near Old Faithful. Don't be afraid to throw small streamers as well, especially in the deeper areas. Although the Henry's Fork below Ashton has had good reports of Salmonfly activity, the boat and wading traffic has been record-breaking...good luck.
Stillwater fishing is probably your next best option right now. Henry's Lake, Hebgen Lake and Jackson Lake all have been putting out decent reports over the past week or so. Yellowstone Lake will be opening on June 15th. It typically fishes very well out of the gate with plenty of elbow room.


My buddy Chris Stump and I, (along with his 2 year old son George!), headed out to Jenny Lake a couple of days ago for a test run. Fishing was good. We saw a few Cutthroat and Lake Trout on streamers, and the flying ant hatch was starting to happen as well. We saw numerous fish on top taking advantage of them.
Much warmer weather this past weekend, along with thunderstorms, has really caused a bump in water flows in the area. Check out these incredible water graphs from the Snake River above Palisades Reservoir, the Big Hole River, near Melrose Montana, the Bitterroot River near Missoula, Montana, and the Clark Fork River near Missoula, Montana. Wow!
Here's a couple of shots from Jenny Lake the other day, including young George with a Lake Trout...nice one!