YELLOWSTONE RIVERS - SWEET !

FIREHOLE RIVER AT 400
Madison River At 700
Gibbon River Clearing






-- The cool weather of the last week has been a boon to early season fisherfolks on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. The three major destinations have come into shape rapidly, and all are fishing very well. It seems that the old fishwife's tale about fishing really starting in June is accurate this year.
-- Hatches of Mayflies continue on the Firehole, and seem to be getting better - what do those bugs know? There are now some hatches on the Madison, and both Baetis imitations and PMD's are productive. The fish are still hungry, and not very selective yet, so the patterns are not too critical. Size is a bit more important, and a proper drift is still mandatory. Just about any pattern in sizes 14 - 20 is doing fine, and both nymph and streamer fishing can be productive as well.
-- The Gibbon River has cleared in a remarkably rapid time and fish are available in those sections that can be reached through the flooded meadows. Some midges have been observed, and the fish respond well to streamers.
-- The fly shown above is the "Quick - n - Easy." It is an old fly, reminiscent of the wet flies of yore. In the water, it becomes a small streamer and resembles not a thing in nature. It is effective this time of year when fished in the undercut banks, and the rapid portions of tailouts.
-- This fly is a local favorite in Southeastern Idaho for places like the South Fork of the Snake, and some of the smaller streams in that region such as Middle Creek, near Pengree. It has been used as a searching fly on the Gibbon and Madison for about a decade or so and works just dandy.
-- Like so many flies, it is simple and effective. One kind of feather, one color thread, two colors of floss - done. Before, between, or during technical hatch fishing, this fly will work. It seems to take the eager little fish, or the giants in waiting.

Recipe for QUICK-N-EASY
Tail: paired hen hackle, Body: orange floss, Rib: yellow floss, Wing: paired hen hackle, Hackle: hen hackle, Head: yellow or orange thread. (not too small,) Hook: size 4 - 12, heavy nymph - or up to 2xl streamer. Drift the fly with short smooth stripping motion in deep undercuts, or on the swing through the tail of swift pools.