Things Are Happening Early

Snake River

Flows from Jackson Lake Dam stand at 4,000cfs.  Runoff continues on the Snake, making the tailwater reach below the dam the most viable water to hit.  Water temps remain cool, but visibility is top level and there is action on double/triple nymph rigs and streamers in eddies, on seams, and along submerged structure.  Much of the action has been occurring in the lower third of the water column (unless on streamers).  However, we are seeing signs of production if targeting the top third as callibaetis are becoming the most noticeable emergence.  Dead drifting and swinging their imitations are both working equally well, especially on seams, deeper riffles with slow to moderate currents, and along structure with slow currents.

Streamers are producing best along banks and structure with seams and eddies also worth targeting.  Slow to moderate retrieves with an even cadence are key.  Fish your baitfish imitations on floating lines, full sinking intermediate lines, or sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range.  Small to moderately sized patterns are out performing larger forage fish imitations/

South Fork

This has been an extraordinary May on the South Fork, with the past two weeks having substantial visibility for this time of the year and flows way lower than they have usually been.  Flows are starting to ramp up now with releases from Palisades Dam currently at just under 12,000cfs.  Its time again to work for your fish.  Egg patterns have been very productive on the upper reach as rainbows continue to spawn (although this is now starting to wane a fair amount).  The best action on most reaches has been with a wide variety of nymph patterns fished as part of a double/triple rig with consistency being found around the ½ to 2/3 depth in the water column.  That means you should adjust to the depths you are fishing accordingly.  Target riffles, seams, troughs, parallel drop-offs, and eddies primarily.  The most productive patterns have been stonefly imitations, aquatic worms, cdc soft hackle jigs, and midge imitations like Perdigons, Devil Jigs, and Zebra Midges.

Streamers fishing requires a fair amount of focus but the most consistent reach has been on the lower river from Wolverine down to Lorenzo.  Eats are for the most part taking place in the top ¼ of the water column in faster currents and the top 1/3 in slower currents.  Slow retrieves in slow currents and faster retrieves in faster currents is a key approach right now, with slower currents taking the cake.  INT to 3ips tips are outperforming other lines.  Both larger and moderately sized baitfish imitations are producing equally well.  Target riffle pools, seams, eddy current margins, confluences, backwater side channels, and banks or structure with slow to moderate current speeds. 

Henry’ Fork

Caddis remain but salmon flies are the prime focus at the moment and hatches have been very strong on many reaches.  Despite this, fishing can be challenging with sated fish that have been feeding aggressively on these large specimens.  But production can still be strong by getting your offerings on solid lines on seams, in eddies, in riffles, and along banks and structure (the latter has produced well below Mesa Falls and on the reach from Riverside to Hatchery Ford). Nymphs are outperforming surface patterns.  There are times when the surface should be you main focus.

Streamers are fishing best on the lower reaches from Warm River down to Chester with the most productive holding water being banks, structure, seams, and riffle tails.  Both larger and moderately sized patterns are working equally well. Go with floating lines or sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range and moderate to fast retrieves and hesitations in line strips.

Yellowstone National Park

Firehole – Flows are low for this time of year, but water temps are about ideal for the moment.  White Miller caddis is the primary bug hatching (somewhat earlier than usual) followed by PMDs and Rychophila caddis, both in equal numbers.  Nymphing is good in riffles and foam lines no matter where you are on the Firehole.  The surface action at the moment is some of the best in the region, with primetime being from around 9am until 1:30pm most days.  Caddis emergers and mayfly adults are working best in terms of dry flies.

Madison – As on the Firehole, white Miller caddis is the primary emergence, with PMDs and other caddis species a distant second.  Deeper pools fished on a dead drift with caddis and mayfly nymph imitations, but there is definitely solid action in riffles as well.  Good surface action can be had in riffles and seams, primarily with caddis adult patterns.

Lewis Lake – Ice came off Lewis Lake early this year, with close to 60% of Lewis being ice-free by Memorial Day.  Lake trout and browns are feeding throughout the water column, with the most consistent action occurring in the lower ½ of the water column.  Damsel and dragonfly nymphs are working better than baitfish imitations, although you will certainly be happy with production on the latter.  Fast retrieves are working best.  At times, slow figure-8 or pinch retrieves or long, slow retrieves if fishing streamers.  Fast sinking 6ips to 8 ips lines, hover lines, and full sinking INT lines are working well, with fast sinking lines clearly taking the cake.

Yellowstone Lake – Solid fishing on much of the lake with several patterns – baithfish, leeches, damsel, dragon, and midges – producing.  Think primarily of hitting drop-offs, vegetation beds, and deep flats with full sinking INT and hover lines.  Most of the activity is occurring in the top 1/3 of the water column.  Slow to moderate retrieves are producing best.  There is a wide range of age groups on the lake at the moment, with smaller (14” or less) making up as much of the catch as larger specimens.