Despite the recent rainfall, the flows in the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek remain clear, making for good fishing conditions with terrestrials like hoppers, crickets, and ants. With stormy weather expected to continue, it’s a good idea to monitor the flow conditions, clarity and fishing reports. Slough Creek is also fishing well with terrestrials and is unlikely to be affected by the weather. In fact, afternoon thunderstorms can trigger strong hatches of small cream-colored baetis mayflies. The Gardner River and the Yellowstone River through the Black Canyon had Hoot Owl restrictions lifted last week, so be prepared to cover a lot of water for some hopper fishing.
The Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon Rivers remain closed to fishing, despite the cooler, wetter weather and cold mornings. As the season change approaches, the days are getting shorter and the nights colder. These rivers will soon be cool enough to reopen for the fall season.