The Trifecta from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

Tags: Fish Stories

YGF X Evolution Anglers: BOOM GOES THE BROWNOMITE from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

Tags: Fish Stories

Wow, this fall is really going by fast.  It always seems that right about now is when I realize I didn’t do as much fishing this fall as I wanted to.  But, if Mark and I did do all the fishing we wanted, this site would never be updated.  It’s a trade off.

The Beaverhead is fishing pretty good these days.  Flows are still up, almost 320 cfs at Barretts this morning.  Most fish these days are being taken on nymphs.  Egg patterns, scuds, princes, pheasant tails and the ever useful soft hackle have been the most productive.  On cloudy days, the streamer bite has been great.  Dark olive and black are the predominant colors.

Speaking of cloudy days, the BWO hatch can be pretty damn good.  The bugs are very small this time of year, but you better fish dries while you still can.  Swinging a couple of soft hackles during the hatch works too.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

The Beaverhead needs a week or so of consistent cool weather before it really picks back up.  The fishing has been pretty decent, but is only going to get better later this fall.  The fish are being picky, and they can pull it off with all the food choices open to them right now.

The upper river near the dam features lots of midges, caddis, BWOs, and Craneflies.  Both dries and nymphs are working very well.  The caddis and Baetis are really going to pick up later in the fall.  Craneflies are a lot of fun to fish and can bring up some nice fish when conditions are right.

The lower river sees most of the hopper action.  The afternoons and evenings are the best time to be throwing these.  Big foam patterns have been really effective.  Streamers are also working well in the mornings, evenings and on cloudy days.  Fish them close to the bank and strip in quickly.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

I’m headed over to the Beaverhead this morning (I’ve emailed my post to Mark to post for me as I’m running late this morning…) and expect to have a nice day.

I’ve been hearing all week how the Craneflies have been cooking early and late and there are still late Caddis over here too.  There are supposedly midges, Tricos, baetis up higher, and on the warmer days hoppers and other terrestrials have been cooking on the lower river.

Folks are beginning to throw streamers over here early and late, but they’ll be much better on cloudy days.

From Mark – betcha $10 Al made whoever is driving stop for Al’s version of a power breakfast above.  No lattes / espresso for Al – he prefers coffee you could degrease an engine with…..

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Man, there is a lot of water in the Beaverhead right now!  Compared to last year and the years before that, this is a good year.  Flows as of this morning were almost 480 cfs out of the dam below Barretts.  The river is going to have enough water to float until late this fall, possibly all winter.

Hoppers and Craneflies are the big news over here.  The hoppers are getting bigger, and the fish are really targeting them.  Don’t forget to throw some beetles out there too.  Personally, I wouldn’t be fishing anything but Craneflies.  There is something about big flies that is just fun.  

Streamer fishing has really been picking up, especially on cloudy days.  Olive has been a favorite color.  Large rubberlegged nymphs fished like streamers have been picking up some fish as well.  

The Beaverhead is fishing well right now and will be for some time to come.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Unlike most recent years, there is still a lot of water in the Beaverhead.  Flows out of Yellowtail Dam are slightly below 500 cfs as of this morning, well above average for this time of year.  This only means good things from a fishing point of view.

There are a lot of different bugs on the water right now.  Everything from Tricos, Craneflies, Midges, Caddis, PMDs, Spruce Moths and more!  Sometimes it is hard deciding which hatch to fish!  It is possible to fish dries all day long and catch a bunch of fish.  Personally, I would be fishing Craneflies, as this hatch does not appear many other places.

Nymphing has been productive with your standard tailwater nymphs.  Anything that looks like a Cranefly larva, either a dedicated pattern or a Yukbug or Mega-Prince, will work well.  Streamer fishing has been pretty good on the cloudy days.  Olive seems to be the best streamer color right now.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Like a lot of waters in the state right now, the Beaverhead is in pretty good shape.  Flows were dropped again this week, ending up right above 470 cfs.  It has been a pretty hot week with some afternoon thunderstorms, so the weather has been good for hoppers.

There are lots of options on the Beaverhead right now.  Caddis, scattered PMDs, Tricos, hoppers and Craneflies.  The Craneflies are an awesome hatch to fish; big flies for big fish.  Look for caddis mainly in the evenings, with mayflies in the mornings and evenings.  Hoppers are a great choice right now.  Use something big, with enough flotation to support a dropper such as a prince, pheasant tail or other small bead head nymph.  

Streamers have been great on the cloudy days.  Hit the deep, dark pools with them.  Nymphing with tailwater nymphs has been very productive as well.  

The lower river is perhaps the best water at this point.  The Beaverhead is busy right now, so be ready to deal with crowds.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Like many other rivers in the neighborhood, the Beaverhead is just having one of those years.  And I mean that in a very positive way.  There is still a lot of water in the river,  although flows out of the dam have been dropping over the past few days.  Levels were sitting right above 550 cfs as of this morning.

There is quite the variety of insects to choose from.  Caddis, PMDs, tricos, mayflies galore and hoppers are all catching fish.  I have even heard some reports that craneflies are starting to show up.  A large foam hopper with a prince or pheasant tail hanging off the back seems to be one of the most consistent choices.  

Streamer fishing is good on the cloudy days.  From the forecast, there are going to be some clouds in the area so bring your streamer box with you.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Not too much has changed over on the Beaverhead.  Flows are still in a good range, with just a little bump earlier in the week with all the rain.  The rain did push a little bit of mud into the river, but most of that has passed on through now.  

PMDs and caddis are the mainstay hatches over here.  The mayflies are starting to get smaller, so carry a wide size selection in your box.  Terrestrials are really picking up.  Hoppers, beetles, and ants are all good choices.  

Nymphing has been the most productive.  Small tailwater and mayfly patterns are working the best.  Think princes, pheasant tails, san juans, hare’s ears and anything else small and buggy.  

This is going to be a good summer on the Beaverhead.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Summer on the Beaverhead is usually pretty good, and this year is no exception.  Flows are holding steady at just over 700 cfs, meaning the fish are spread all over the river, not just holed up in the deeper runs and holes.  It is going to get pretty damn hot over here this week, so be ready for the heat.

PMDs and caddis remain the strongest hatches, but look for Yellow Sallies, some spruce moths, and scattered midges as well.  Fish dry flies all day if you want to.  Terrestrials are also drawing strikes.

Nymphing is always a sound strategy on the Beaverhead.  Small pheasant tails, princes, hare’s ears, and san juan worms are very effective.  Fish them pretty deep during the middle of the day when nothing is working on top.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

The Beaverhead is in its summer stride.  Flows out of the dam have come up in the past several days, up to over 870 cfs at Barrets as of this morning.  This means that the fish are all over the river, not just holding in the deeper runs and pools.

Summer hatches of PMDs and caddis are the mainstays over here right now.  Standard tailwater nymphs such as princes, pheasant tails, worms, and caddis pupae are catching a lot of fish.  The area below Pipe Organ is doing well with nymphs.  

Look for terrestrials such as hoppers and beetles to work in the afternoons and evenings.  A lot of folks will forsake using a beetle for a larger hopper; don’t make this mistake.  Sometimes a small beetle pattern will drive the fish more crazy than anything else.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

Flows on the Beaverhead are coming up.  They have risen over 100 cfs in the past few days.  While the river is not at record levels by any means, the increased flows have made some fish a little more hesitant to feed on top.

PMDs and caddis are still hatching like crazy.  When you can find rising fish, break out your dry flies.  The rest of the day you are going to be nymphing.  Nymphing has been incredibly productive on some days, and merely good on others.  Try flies like princes, hare’s ears, pheasant tails and caddis pupae.

Keep an eye out for grasshoppers, the fish should start to feed more on them in the next few weeks.  Beetles are also a good item to have in your fly box.

Tags: River - Beaverhead

The Beaverhead is in good shape right now.  Flows are well within acceptable limits, although they have been up and down a little bit lately.  Clarity is great.  Now is the time to be out on the Beaverhead.

PMDs seem to be the predominant hatch at the moment.  There have been lots of dries on the water, but not as many fish as you might think trying to eat them.  If you can find a rising fish, then go for it.  Otherwise, stick with nymphing.  Nymphing has been killer.  Small mayfly nymphs are absolutely kicking ass. 

Now is prime time on the Beaverhead, so get out there while it is still great!

Tags: River - Beaverhead

The Beaverhead is in pretty good shape right now.  Flows have come up in the past few days, but it has not affected fishing too much.  Clarity is over a foot in most areas, with the exception being the inlet of feeder creeks and tribs.

There are lots of caddis on the water right now, coming off mainly in the afternoons.  A caddis pupae will produce fish all day.  I have also heard some reports from a buddy of mine about some PMDs on the water.  If this is true, then get ready for some good fishing up top.

Pink nymphs such as a Ray Charles or soft hackle are also bringing fish to the net.  Streamer fishing is picking up, try stripping one near the bank or through the deep holes.

Tags: River - Beaverhead