Skwala Hatch on the Bitterroot River Montana

It's On!

What's all the commotion about regarding the the big Skwala Hatch? If you don't know or have to ask, you may need to do your homework. Beginning in February the nymphs of the olive stonefly begin their migration from the rocks along the river bottom to the banks where they hatch. February and March are the two best nymphing months we have no matter what the weather. My buddy Martin -and soon to be tour guide on some great Montana water in a few months, has been hitting it hard and getting into some nice fish lately.

And as the water warms in the March sun, the famous skwala hatch will pick up. At 42 degrees they start getting pretty active and it's time. "Then when it hits 45 (degrees) they start coming out really good." During the early hatch, Bean said to watch for the warm, sunny days.
"They won't break out of the shucks unless they know they can actually dry their wings."

The Bitterroot River flows through some wonderful scenery. The Sapphire mountains rise to the east while the Bitterroot mountains are found to the west. The Bitterroot Valley itself is lush by Montana standards, and is also located in a sort of banana belt. While it can get cold during the winter in the Bitterroot Valley, real cold days, like eastern and central Montana experiences, are the exception and not the rule.

I'm not able to make it up that way this Spring but in a few months I'll be spending quite a bit of time on some great Montana waters, I can hardly wait!




MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION

Bozeman Area Fishing Activites

It's Fall in the Rockies and all I can think about are big browns and planning my next trip, where would I like to be? Bozeman comes to mind and from the calls I've gotten recently from my Montana buds, all I an do is to live vicariously through them and their fertile freestones loaded with monster browns. I thought I would do a write up on some local events for the area of Bozeman in case a few of you may be heading that way the next few weeks. I have to wait until September of 2010 before I get my fill of Bozeman activities I guess.

RISE - Bozeman, MT - World Premiere
World Premiere! – Bozeman, Montana
Emerson Cultural Center
Thursday October 22nd Show starts at 7:30 PM
Tickets $10 available at The River’s Edge, Fins and Feathers Fly Shop, Montana Troutfitters, and Rockford Coffee.Lots of swag will be raffled off from our sponsors: Simms, Costa del Mar, Hatch Reels, Ro Drift Boats, Big Sky Brewing, and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures.


Okay this may not be "fishing related" but I can almost guarantee a few of my fishing friends in the area will attend so that counts right?
Beer Festival by MT Brewers Assoc 5:00 PM October 23
Gallatin County Fairgrounds Description:Beer Festival by MT Brewers Assoc.Contact Tony at 406-439-8075 (C) or 406-449-7252 for more information.Admission: $18 advance / $20 at door. Tickets available at Bozeman Brewery, Madison River Brewery, Old Chicago, Montana Fish Company, Cactus Records and online at www.montanabrewers.org (entry includes 3 samples and a MBA glass)Public hours: 5pm – 11pm

20th - iPhoto offered by F-11 Photographic Supplies in downtown Bozeman, pre-registration required. October 20th thru 22nd from 12:00-12:50 PM Call F-11 for details at 406-586-3281, stop by the store at 16 East Main, or sign up 24-7 at www.f11photo.com .
23rd - Hunters Feed & Wild Game Cook-Off Located on Main Street in Ennis: Friday before hunting season starts. Local businesses prepare wild game dishes: sampled & voted on by participants. Begins 3:00 pm. Sponsored by the Ennis Area Chamber of Commerce.
24th - October 24, 2009 will mark the fourth annual Raw Deal Run and Fun Walk, a 5K and 10K race that will take place south of Big Timber. sghwf@itstriangle.com.
montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/outings.php
24th - Living History Weekend, Virginia City: All Hallows Eve Experience the Spirits of the past that bring the scary side of the 19th century to life on the Trail of Fear, and the Terror Train. Experience tasty treats in Nevada City, with traditional foods, and spiced cider. Enjoy a ghost tour with Spirit Tailings author Ellen Baumler.
24th - Bridger Ski Foundation Nordic Snow Dance & Auction Saturday, October 24th 6pm Ballroom 6:00 p.m. - Silent Auction begins Dinner buffet featuring The Emerson Grill Beer & Wine courtesy of Bozeman Brewing Co and Winegardner Wines Live Music by Jawbone Railroad
26th - Glass House Photography group hosted by staff members of F-11 Photographic Supplies in downtown Bozeman Monday, October 28th from 5:45 to 7 PM. Call F-11 for details at 406-586-3281, stop by the store at 16 East Main, or sign up 24-7 at www.f11photo.com .
29th - What Will Climate Change Cost Montanans? Dr. Ernie Niemi, ECONorthwest. Join us for this lecture presented by the National Parks & Conservation Association and the Big Sky Institute. Montana Audubon is a co-sponsor. All events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Bozeman Public Library, Community Room. 7:00 – 8:30pm
31st - ASMSU Yellowstone River Rafting, Paradise Valley. montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/outings.php
31st - Halloween Haunted House Big Sky Fire Station 1, 2735 Aspen Drive Stop by the Fire Department in Westfork Meadows for the Fire Department's Halloween Haunted House (and carving pumpkins, hot chocolate, treats, etc.)

Bozeman Trout Unlimited Membership Meeting & Annual Chili Fee
Wed, November 11, 7pm – 9pm Bozeman Holiday Inn (map)
DescriptionMonthly Chapter Membership Meeting and Chili Contest and Feed.


For more local information click here at New West for some great local flavor. You know we wouldn't leave out fishing reports for you, here you go for the latest Fishing News

MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION

Montana September-October Fall Fishing Reports!

Montana Fall Means One Thing...Big Brownies!

I can't believe it, I'm going to have to miss out on one of my favorite Fall fisheries in the country this year! I know dang it, a friend recently said "You can't be everywhere and fish every river in the Rockies this Fall Troutdawg!" My reply was simple, yeah why not? Okay so maybe I'll fish every Colorado stream but Montana will just have to wait until Fall 2010

If you just have a few quick seconds and don't see the River or area you're looking for, checkout my pals at ChiWulff for extensive reports, they have almost every report needed for your next day out on a favorite Montana stream.

Yellowstone River Montana Trout Wranglers

The Stone continues to be one of our favorite local rivers to fish this summer. The flows are still at a great level and the big fish are more accessable these days. There have been reports and I have seen the photos of a few 25 inch plus fish caught in the last few weeks. Hoppers and caddis and ants are the flies of choice. No one can keep the Morrish hopper in the fly bins at the shops, but yellow chernobyl ants, grand hoppers, and the carnage hopper is all working well. The trout have gotten a little smarter after seeing two months of foam flies float by. Twitching your hopper can trigger some unbeliavable strikes, and dropping a caddis or ant off your hopper will give them another option to choose if they refuse your hopper.

Bighorn River Bighorn Fishing Report

Hoppers: The all day hopper fishing has just now come to a close, but a few hours each afternoon still proves productive. There are a lot of fish holding on the banks in areas with current. Smaller Dave’s sz 10 and your hopper sandwich in larger sizes.
Dries: There are trico’s appearing for the spinner fall mind morning and fish have been keying into them on the surface on occasion. A few black caddis will appear on a day to day basis. Bugs: Spent wing Trico #20 trico spinner #20 cdc black caddis #20
Nymphing: Nymphing has been consistient throughout most of the day. Focus on your Scuds and Sow Bugs as that is really all they have been eating. They key in on some small baetis nymphs mainy in the afternoon. Bugs: Soft hackle Ray Charles grey #16, Grey Poxyback sowbug #20, Bighorn Scud orage #16.
Streamers: Our up and coming star is streamer fishing. We have had some great days throwing streamers, even with full sunlight. Off the banks and through the riffles is productive but if you have a sinking like the deeper swifter channels have been excellent. Bugs: Bow River Bugger #6, brown and yellow clouser #8.
It has been in the 80’s for the past 3 days and some very excellent fall weather! Flows holding steady at 3,000 cfs

Yellowstone Park Bud Lilly's
No new fishing regs for the Park this year, just remember "All Barbless".
The road between Madison Jct and Norris is now closed for the season.During the closure they will be building a new bridge across the Gibbon River and revamping the areas above and below Gibbon Falls. This is the completion of the project that was started 7 or 8 years ago. Trips from West Yellowstone to the Lamar Valley must go around Yellowstone Lake (an extra 48+ miles, plan on at least 3 hours from West Yellowstone to Tower Junction. The Firehole is cooling a bit but I'd wait at least another week. Madison is producing on hoppers in the meadow stretches. Flows on the Stone are finally below 2700cfs. Still some Goldens and green drakes - PMDs and Caddis - look for hoppers as well. Look for the hatch and look for the fish - if you don't see any fish move somewhere else. Some nice 20+ inch cutts taken lately. Still excellant fishing in the Lamar valley if you make the drive or stay in Cooke City. Hoppers, ants, beetles - have a variety of patterns and sizes. PMD Sparkle Dun 14-18, Para Quill PMD 16-18, Tilt Wing PMD 16, Hackle Stacker16-18, HOH Para Spinner, Delektable Halo Caddis Emerger, CDC Caddis Tan 14, Hemingway Caddis 14-16, Para Quill Gray Drake, Gray Drake Cripple, Para Adams 10-12, HOH Honey Ant, Deer Hair Ant, Ant Mis-behavin, Butt Munch Beetle, Krystal Leg Beetle, Morrish Hopper, Wilcox VW Hopper, HOH Spring Creek Hopper.

Madison River Madison River Outfitters

Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake:
We’ve had some really good fishing between Hebgen and Quake. Dead drifting nymphs has been the most effective way to find fish. Some nice browns and rainbows have been caught on Stonefly patterns, Princes and Caddis Larva. Late afternoon is the best time to try to get fish to feed on the surface with attractor dries, but as the days get cooler the window for dry fly fishing is starting to close.
Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge:
Terrestrial fishing is slowing down in the wade section, though hoppers remain effective at times. Fall Baetis have begun to hatch in good numbers. While these small mayflies make for some very good nymph fishing, one can find trout rising to them with a lot of careful searching. Bring Emergers and Thorax Patterns in #22. Seeing these small flies on the surface is a challenge. Larger parachutes can be helpful when fished in tandem with the smaller Baetis in tow. Cloudy days are best for these insects, but some will hatch even when the sun is bright. Nymphing with small Baetis Nymphs and Midge Larva has been quite good and the most consistent way to catch trout right now in the wade section.
Lyon Bridge to Ennis:
Hopper fishing has slowed down considerably, though fish can still be brought to the surface once the water warms up. Nymphing has been pretty good as fish are feeding on Caddis, Baetis Nymphs and Midge Larva. A few of our guides have found fishing willing to eat dead drifted streamers and larger stonefly nymphs fished below an indicator. Streamer fishing will get a boost when the weather clouds up. For now stick to the big flies in the mornings.

Bighole River Angler Guide Reports

Traditionally, fall is my favorite time on the water. And the Big Hole has been good to me in the fall. The period of time in fall when night temperatures have cooled the water down enough to make fish active again, all the way to ice-up can be a productive time for monster hunting.
In fall, Baetis mayflies can be important during hatches, which occur during the warmest part of the day. A tiny, number 18 or 20 BWO or Black Baetis can take a surprising number of fish if you find an area where a good hatch is coming off. Watch along the banks close to good holding water. Trout move to the edge of the faster current and sip in the small mayflies right on the current seam. Takes are often very subtle, so keep a close watch on your fly and leader.
You can find good Baetis beds along the entire river system. I prefer to fish the canyon stretch near Divide when the Baetis are on, and during the periods when nothing is hatching, I will bounce a nymph along the bottom through the deeper water with hopes it will find its way into the mouth of a big brown.

FishEyeSoup Montana Rivers Listings

Bitterroot River (117)Clark Fork River (114)

Blackfoot River (113)Rock Creek (109

Missouri River (264)Kootenai River (24)

Beaverhead River (17)Boulder River (6)Gallatin River (52)Madison River - Upper (55)Yellowstone River (106)Bighorn River (33)Big Hole River (31)

Guide Listings
Dan Bailey's
Yellowstone Angler
Dave Handl's
Fish Hawk Outfitting
Hatch Finders
Long Outfitting
Montana Trout Guide
Big Sky Flies
Maidson River Outfitters
Big Bear Lodge

MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION

Fishing Bozeman, Missoula & The Billings Area For Trout, Recent Fishing Reports

Recent Fishing Reports From Buddies Around Montana

What happens when I get about 4 emails in a week from friends that have been fishing some of Montana's Top fishing streams? Well I guess I have to endure more torture buy showcasing how well they've been doing! Thanks guys for rubbing it in and having such great days out. Yeah, after 4 invites so far this Summer to head out that way to fish, I may have to delay it until next Summer darn it! Can't do it all and especially with another Big trip right around the corner. After a few trips up that way in the last few years and catching some huge rainbows on the Mad, 2010 will have to wait!


Martin having one of those days out near some Missoula Water, sorry to bail on you again this Fall for my trip, next year will happen Fo Show and keep that guest room open for me


Fred out for his Annual return to the Bighorn River, I can still remember randomly running into you one year on the Horn. Thanks for the updates and have a great time in Mongolia chasing Taimen in a few weeks!



Big browns on a 2 weight! That and when you can catch two at a time, you know it's good. Rob fishing some hidden water near his home in Bozeman, man you got it good to catch these feet from your house.


Similar Threads

• Late Summer Montana Fishing
  
• Top Montana Fishing Lodges
  
• July Montana River Reports
  

MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION

Montana Rivers Fishing Reports

What's Biting, What Flies to Use, Which Rivers aren't flowing to high and most importantly...Give me some tips to catch some Montana Trout
Top Montana River's Updates Link

Madison River - Madison River Fishing Company Link with reports
It’s On Baby!!
After some seriously suspect reports last week from some other area shops, the Salmonfly hatch on the Madison is now officially off and rolling! The Big Bugs started trickling on Friday and Saturday and popping hard below Varney on Monday. The numbers are still thinner below Burnt Tree but there are enough Goldens in there to make it worthwhile. The bulk of the Salmonflys (and in some cases thicker Goldens) are concentrated right now from a couple miles above Varney to about 8-Mile with bugs showing all the way up to McAtee and as mentioned, down to almost the Ennis Bridge. As always we’re seeing bugs for a long stretch of river and will likely see adults near Palisades towards weeks end. They almost always appear in pockets though without a clearly defined “head of the hatch”. In the still heavy flow (just over 1700 cfs right now), there will probably be bugs around for the next several weeks. We actually have just about perfect conditions for the hatch so far; higher water, hot weather, and so far lots and lots of bugs!

Gallatin River Update Grizzly Hackle River Reports
Conditions : Bitterroot River: Dropping fast and fishing in the main river improves every day. Look for flows to level quickly and the upper river will be a good option in a day or so. CAUTION: Floating the West Fork from dam to canoe is very hazardous now. Unless you are a very confident and skilled in stopping a boat in fast water don't even attempt. From canoe down there is a log jam on the pillings of Marty's bridge that you must go river right to pass. Salmonflies are out on both the West and East Forks. The upper river form Darby to Hamilton will be great nymphing. Don't be afraid to take advantage of Montana's stream access and fish those Bitterroot side channels and spring fed slews. Even these are still big, so fishing subsurface is definitely a good idea. Nymphing riffles and drop-offs with small stonefly nymphs, PTs, princes, and the worm will be effective when nothing else is happening. Your'e really probably better off fishing one of the smaller tributaries that pour into the Root. They are all open to fishing now, and they are your best chance at catching fish in the spring when the main river is raging like it is now. Salmonflies on the West Fork have definitely hatched!!!
Hatches:PMD's, Drakes, Golden's
Fly Patterns: Stonefly nymphs like rubberlegs and double-bead stones, big princes, san juan worms, copper johns, pheasant tails, buggers, yuk bugs, sculpins, JJ specials.


Yellowstone River Link to Local River Reports
The Yellowstone is under the 13,000 cfs mark barely today which is a good thing. However, it's still a ways away from coming into shape and fishing at all. With all hopes this week's sun and heat will drop the Stone down to the 10-11 grand area and that "Going Green" color we all love. Once we hit that 10k mark and a foot of visibility with green color to the water, get yer streamer rods rigged and let's go! Keep your fingers crossed for Salmonflies by the 4th of July and flows under 10,000 cfs. 7-8,000 cfs would be great. We are currently getting quite a few guide trip requests & reservations for July, August & September. Make sure and get your reservation in now to get the guide of your choice.Report Flows: Real Time Stream Flows:Corwin Springs, LivingstonHatches: Turning green olive is the water. Salmonflies and the smorgasboard of bugs that goes along with this super hatch are just on verge. Wouldn't be suprised to see the big stones crawling bankside around Mallards Rest right now.Hot Patterns: Dries: Salmonflies hopefully by the weekendNymphs: Yuk Bug, Super Yuk, Pat's Rubberlegs in Black, brown, goldenstone, Hurless Nymph purple, drk gray, bitch creek, LARGE prince, San Juan

Dan Bailey Fly Shop Reports
Montana River Stream Flows

MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION