[ARCHIVE] Yellowstone River Report 08/12/19

Hopper fishing is on! Nymphing is usually a good way to start out the day early as fish have been gorging on nocturnal stones. Try fishing a big rubber leg nymph like a girdle bug, Pat’s rubber leg or bitch creek. Make sure to use a long enough leader and weight to get it down in the heavy water. For streamer fishing, using the Grinch, Kreelex, Bow River bugger, Sparkle Minnow patterns, Sculpin patterns and basic black buggers. For dry fly anglers, fish a Jack Cabe, stimulator, PMX or Chubby. Fish are hitting the hopper patterns by mid to late morning. Try the Yellowstoner Chubby, Yeti Hopper, Fat Frank and Pink Pookie in pink, peach, olive or grape body colors in size 10-14. If they’re not hitting the big dry, drop a bead head nymph on a long dropper off of it. Also, keep a Purple Haze, Parachute Adams and Caddis handy for any rising fish. With the warmer water temperature, it’s best to fish earlier in the day so as not to stress the fish in the warmer water.