Sources for Streamflow Data
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Virtually all fly fishing guides and outfitters in Montana watch streamflow data and streamflow forecasts like hawks, especially during runoff season (that is to say: right now) and when summer thunderstorms are rolling around. This is no different than farmers watching the weather forecasts. Here are the important sites to allow YOU to check streamflows, both right now and expected flows for the days ahead.
Montana Streamflow Data: This site returns data from all USGS gauging stations in Montana. The site is organized by river drainage, then from upstream gauging stations to downstream stations. In my area, the Yellowstone Basin graphs from the Lamar River in Yellowstone Park down to the graph at Springdale are the graphs I use most often, with the Stillwater graph secondary. By far the most important graphs for general streamflow are the Corwin Springs and Livingston graphs on the Yellowstone, while the Lamar and Gardner graphs are important for telling me about sudden rises in water level (which are almost always accompanied by mud) due to storms.
Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service – Billings: Here’s the streamflow prediction site for eastern Montana. This site shows flow graphs noted in the previous link, but also shows predicted flows for the next few days for most gauging stations. The basic graph pictured below is most useful during the spring runoff season when we are trying to plan for future trips based on weather forecast. If you’re looking at a big predicted bump coming up, it’s best to get fishing beforehand, because that bump means mud.
This site also includes an option to view “Probability Information.” This is a longer-range forecast of predicted flows, but it isn’t updated very often and I often find it inaccurate. Here’s a sample graph of probability information:
Select the above graph by clicking the dropdown menu off the lower right corner of the graph, then selecting “Flow – Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels.” This is most useful to anglers, as flow rather than gauge height determines fishability. Too much water and things are too rough, and probably muddy to boot.
Top Missouri River Nymphs in March
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Intro to Top Missouri River Nymphs in March
Late winter and early spring are “pink season” on the Missouri. Top Missouri River nymphs in March are almost all pink. Whether the fish are taking these assorted pink bugs as eggs or dead scuds and sowbugs probably depends on the specific fish. Nonetheless, they work. The key is generally getting them down. These flies should be ticking bottom just on the edge of the current seam in 5-8 feet of water in slow walking-speed runs.
Rainbow Czech Nymph
Rainbow Czech Nymph
This is a great multipurpose nymph that can look like a sowbug, scud, egg, or even a caddis larva. Also try it with the bead replaced with a fluorescent flame “fire bead.” Another good similar pattern is the AMEX, which basically just swaps the abdomen and thorax colors around and replaces the shellback with a tinsel wingcase over the thorax alone.
- Hook: #12-18 scud. Note that you can also tie this fly as a “jig nymph” with the proper hooks and beads.
- Bead: gold brass or tungsten
- Thread: 6/0-8/0 black, pink, or tan.
- Shellback: clear scud back.
- Rib: black wire or midge/micro tubing.
- Abdomen: Wapsi rainbow sow-scud dubbing (note that the Wapsi product is far better than others for this fly).
- Hotspot/Thorax: Bighorn pink sow-scud dubbing, or other hot pink dubbing.
- Head: one or two turns of rainbow sow-scud dubbing.
Pink Firebead Soft Hackle Sowbug
Pink Soft Hackle Sowbug
Various bright pink sow/scud patterns are always favorites on the Missouri at this time, and some get surprisingly complicated. Most years, I do better by following the KISS rule. You’ll use up a lot of firebead flies, mostly because the beads get banged up and lose their effectiveness, and it’s easy to fill your box with this pattern. Experiment with different shades of pink on the body (I typically carry four subtle shades) and tie some of each with light dun and some with cream or white hackle.
- Hook: #16-18 short shank nymph.
- Bead: fluorescent fire orange brass or tungsten “fire bead.”
- Thread: fluorescent fire orange 8/0
- Body: pink dubbing blend.
- Hackle: one or two turns of light dun, cream, or white hen.
Pink Lightning Bug
Pink Lightning Bug
This one likely crosses over between eggs, scuds, and Blue-winged Olive mayfly nymphs. There are many competing variations of this fly. I’ve given the recipe for the one I use the most. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different tail materials, bead colors, metallic or translucent pink body materials, and dubbing blends for the thorax.
- Hook: #16-18 scud.
- Bead: nickel brass or tungsten.
- Thread: hot pink 8/0.
- Tail: A few strands of shell pink Antron yarn, or similar yarn.
- Abdomen: pink Holographic Flashabou.
- Rib: extra small red Ultra Wire.
- Wing Case: tag ends of abdomen Flashabou.
- Thorax: pale pink dubbing blend
Late Spring Yellowstone Park Fishing Trips
Posted on January 31st, 2021
Introduction to Late Spring Yellowstone Fishing Trips
Yellowstone Park opens to fishing at sunrise on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. On the opener, usually only one to three rivers are low enough and clear enough to fish due to spring snowmelt. These rivers, the Firehole, Gibbon, and the headwaters of the Madison (created by the junction of the Firehole and Gibbon), are fed by lakes and geyser basins, so they never get as high and muddy as other rivers in the park. This makes them by far the best options for late spring Yellowstone fishing trips.
Angler fishing a pool on the Firehole in early spring.