[ARCHIVE] Yellowstone River Report 04/16/18

Water clarity has been inconsistent. We may not get the prime blue-green tinted water this spring, but if there’s at least a foot or two of visibility , it’s fishable. Look for Midges and BWOs to be coming off once the day starts to warm up and the sun gets on the water. March Browns should be starting to appear in larger numbers as well. Watch foam lines for sipping feeding fish. Nymphing with black, brown and coffee colored rubber leg patterns like girdle bugs and Pat’s rubber legs, as well as similar colored stonefly patterns should produce. Black and darker color streamer patterns like the Grinch or a black bugger are a good option in off color water as well. For dry fly action to rising fish, try a smaller size Purple Haze or Parachute Adams. With warmer weather, the river will get off color and soon runoff will be here to stay. There could be a short window to fish.