Still Fishing Well

The Yellowstone River continues to fish well, despite some remaining color to the water. It’s mainly nymphs and streamers right now, though you might still see some caddis, blue-winged olives, and/or March Browns about. So don’t forget your dry fly box if you head out. Big stonefly nymphs, such as Rubberlegs or Twenty Inchers, are doing the job, as are a number of different smaller beadheads. If you’re not getting enough fish (or are catching mainly whitefish), try “short leashing” your nymphs (i.e., lowering your indicator so your flies are drifting only a couple of feet below the surface). You might also try dead-drifting a smaller streamer, such as a brown, black, or olive Wooly Bugger or a black Mini Sculpin. If you’re stripping streamers, black has been the color of choice, but switch colors if you’re not getting fish. Barring a heavy rain that muddies things up, the fishing should remain good through the weekend, though the weather’s going to be a bit unsettled (take your rain jacket!).