I apologize for the delay in getting today’s reports up; I have been at the dentist’s office most of the morning. Nothing like starting your day with a couple of fillings. Anyway, the Gallatin has recovered from the mud and rain earlier this week and is fishing well. Flows spiked a few days ago, but the mud plugs have moved through and the water is clear.
There are a lot of insects on the water these days. Spruce Moths have been showing up in greater numbers and the fish are starting to key into these bugs. Fish them earlier in the day, as they are begin to taper off after about 11.
Caddis and mayflies make up most of the rest of the diet. The other day, Mark and I ran up above Taylor Fork. There were a lot of small, size 16 or so, mahoganies flying around. Big brown drakes and caddis were also coming off. I was able to pull a couple of fish out of the hole with a tan X-Caddis. At this time of year, it is not always necessary to match the hatch. A similar sized attractor is often all you need. Think humpys, royal wulffs, renegades and the like.
Hoppers are out in force on the lower reaches of the Gallatin. Don’t break out the triple-decker foam aircraft carriers for a little while yet. Think something smaller. A soft hackle, prince, or other beadhead nymph dropper is never a bad idea either.
Tags: River - Gallatin
