Paradisre Drifters Fly Fishing Report

Madison river 6/11/09- story ditch to 8 mile- fished well with streamers; quality of fish surpassed the quantity with 10 fish over 16 inches. water clarity diminished slightly around varney bridge but was still green and fishy. streamers- black dumbell bunny with red underneath and a chartreuse, yellow, olive dumbell when it was bright out. Lots of chases, and many fish came off of fast, deep banks as opposed to many of the soft corners and backwater that we also fished. Pat stones picked up a few along with a large soft hackle. Worms were ineffective for whatever reason, although the water looked prime for worm swinging.
cfs flow at kirby ranch was at 1180, and i’m guessing it was around 1400 at story ditch.

Big Hole- 6/1-2 & 6/5-6- fishing very well at the time and the water has since dropped so i’m sure it is still great. Fish counts were high as long as the weather cooperated- got caught in a few windblasts and hail storms. On the whole the weather was chilly with sporadic rays of sunshine. Nonetheless, a handfull of streamers and nymphs were effective including a black bugger with a rubber leg hare’s ear #12 behind it, an orange/black/yellow hackle white rubber leg creation of Frank’s picked up fish as did an orangish/yellow conehead bugger. And of course the pat stones and worms did their thing as usual. I’m headed back over there to work on 6/13 and will update then.

Hello to whomever may be reading,

The Yellowstone along with many other rivers in SW MT is blown. For the Madison the upper sections above the West Fork are still fishing very well in spite of the off color water. Reports are that there is about a foot of visibility with a greenish tint to the water with fish holding well on the banks and in the pockets and eating about any nymph that floats by. Eggs, worms, rubber leg stones, copper johns, and other beadheads are effective. I’m heading up there tomorrow and will be working for three days this week in the slide area. Even in high muddy flows fish still gotta eat- don’t let the off color water keep you from getting out. If you’ve been out lately please post a report.

Thanks, Will