The Roller Coaster

JULY IS THE NEW JUNE

Fishers Confused

less glory more fish

THE SECRET GALLATIN

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.. July in the neighborhood has not warmed up the way the optimists usually expect. It hasn't warmed up the way the almanac predicts. It hasn't warmed up the way it historically has.
.. We were a single degree above the historic low in the village last night. As a matter of fact - so far July looks like June looked in the recent past. That's not all bad.
..Fish along the Firehole River have retreated to cooler water in tributaries, dark holes and subsurface spring holes.
.. The Upper Firehole River, (above Old Faithful,) is at record low discharge rates.   Temperature is rising more rapidly than we would've guessed. It's still in the high 60's and the friendly Brook trout are concentrated under the banks and behind sweepers and snags.

ROYAL SOFT HACKLE

.. Below Old Faithful the river is setting low discharge rate records daily. The temperatures are poking the 80°F mark and a bit above. It's even too warm for tourist splashing.
.. Iron Spring Creek has fish in unexpected numbers right now. The lower reaches of Nez Perce Creek are almost fishless but by the time you reach the old bridge the catching is excellent.

S. S.  STIMULATOR

.. The good thing about this retreat is that the bug eruptions are also prolific where the fish are. Or are the fish where the bug eruptions are?
.. The other good thing is that all these places can be successfully fished with a Royal Soft Hackle.
.. It is also a good fly for the Upper Firehole River along the Lone Star Geyser Trail, (If you get  there soon.) Float it, sink it, jerk it, dap it, or swing it on the surface on a tight line where the heads of pools deepen. It all works and it catches fish.
.. For the fly fiddler we suggest that the short shank Stimulator is a fly to switch to. Double them up and you may not need to fiddle with your flies all day.

NOT GLORY WATER - JUST FISHY

.. The infrequently visited bits of Fan Creek, Bacon Rind Creek, and the Gallatin River above the confluence meadows deserve your attention at the moment.
.. The hoppers haven't fully matured along these highland tributaries but there are eager fish that will take just about any properly presented fly: on top or underneath - still or wiggly.

CHAMOIS WORM

.. One fly that the neighbors keep returning to is the Chamois Worm. This little wiggler, along with the Chamois Leech are fairly popular with the neighbors.
.. You won't find these flies in the fancy feather merchant bins. Then again our neighbors wash their own cars.

CHAMOIS LEECH

.. The chamois worm is an all 'round fly. It's good for rivers, streams, and Hebgen Reservoir, (on the shore side of the weeds.)
.. The chamois leech is mostly used this time of year on the deep side of the weeds in the reservoir.
.. The leeches in the reservoir are out of their pill and sleep stage and fairly active. Fish the leech near the bottom and near, (or in the edges of,) the weeds.
.. Many a giant trout is known to be fond of these suckers. When you color the chamois be sure to use a pigment that is waterproof and doesn't harden leather and inhibit the motion of the fly.
.. Just inside the north boundary of Yellowstone National Park on the Gallatin River there is still some good catching going on with various salmonfly nymphs. Pick your poison and have at it.
.. When the Taylor Fork gets a bit of color it's possible to have a banner day along the edge of the silt plume in the Gallatin River.
.. Debris and flotsam is a mixed bag for the fish and they become genuine munching machines.
.. Seldom is the dry fly purist able to entice the trout from their sub surface conveyor belt of goodies. Drowned terrestrials, various nymphs, (always a Prince Nymph,) smashed dry flies, San Juan Worms, and even big ugly flies attract attention of the fish.
.. It's cool right now and just enough time to wash the car before the evening bite. See you where we're not.

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