[ARCHIVE] Yellowstone River Report 09/16/19

The river has cleared back up after being off color following last week’s rain. Hopper fishing has slowed from what it was, but is still active on most days. On most days, from late morning on, fish are on the hopper. Several types of hoppers are taking fish. Try the Yellowstoner Chubby, Yeti Hopper, Fat Frank, More or Less Hopper, Otter Hopper and Pink Pookie in tan, pink, peach, olive, yellow or grape body colors in size 10-14. Nymphing can usually be 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. It’s also not a bad idea to break out the streamer rod first thing in the day using the Grinch, Kreelex, Bow River bugger, Sparkle Minnow patterns, Sculpin patterns and basic black buggers. Fish are eating the dry fly early too, so fish a Jack Cabe, stimulator, PMX or Purple Haze. If they’re not hitting the big dry or hopper consistently, 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. Tricos may still be coming off in the morning. Look for rising fish in the slick water tailouts and foam lines. If fish are on them and rising, a smaller size purple haze or parachute adams will usually get the job done. The cloudy, overcast and showery weather days are producing some nice BWO hatches. Use a smaller size Purple Haze or Parachute Adams.