Fishing Report - August 1, 2026

Upper Henrys Fork: 

Flows in Box Canyon are currently 1050 CFS. 

Box Canyon has been fishing solid, with most fish now being picked up on the nymph. Flows out of the reservoir are starting to drop, which makes wading easier for those walking in on foot. Water temperatures are high, and the shade of the Canyon provides a slight reprieve for fish downstream. Bring a thermometer and call it a day if the water temperatures start to approach the high 60’s. The most productive patterns have been smaller Pat’s rubberlegs even though the stoneflies are mostly gone. PMD’s and Caddis are still up in the air, and never a bad option for fishing small dries in the early morning and evening. Streamers dead-drifted are an exciting way to fish the Box canyon or near Riverside campground, and we have a new streamer pattern in the shop called the Jig Slum Lord, come get a few and give them a try. 

Fishing the Ranch has become increasingly challenging, my thermometer read the water at Osborne Bridge in the 70’s a few days ago. If you want to fish the Ranch, start early, and the most productive stretches are going to be adjacent to the cold springs flowing into the river. The Mormon Crickets have seemed to slow down, but fish are still being caught on them. Small PMD’s, Callibaetis, and a dark winged caddis are still present. Hoppers, ants, and beetles are the next ticket on the menu so be prepared with a few terrestrials. After a thunderstorm, the honey ants can make an appearance starting this time of year into September.  

Lower Henrys Fork: 

Flows Below Ashton Dam are currently 1580 CFS. 

The Lower Henry’s Fork has warm water temperatures, and fishing is best left to early in the mornings until the temperature increases early afternoon. Grasshoppers, Streamers, and Rubberlegs are your best bet. The little bugs have dwindled in numbers, and the most productive stretch has been Stone bridge to Ashton reservoir for most of our guides. Hopefully the fact that the weather is forecasted to be in the 80’s next week for the daily high temperature, paired by a few nights with lows in the 40’s will provide a slight reprieve for the fish. When you land a good one, keep it wet and in the water to give another angler a chance at a trophy, and help protect the fishery for the future. 

South Fork of the Snake: 

Flows near Irwin are currently 9350 CFS. 

Flows at Lorenzo are currently 5180 CFS.

A dramatic decrease in flows has changed the conditions on the South Fork of the Snake dramatically. This has been for the better according to reports from our fishing guides who see a significant number of fish willing to chase stonefly imitations early in the mornings, and eat a dry-dropper with a rubber leg most afternoons. The mutant stoneflies are in full swing providing some of the most exciting fishing of the year. Before you make plans to head to the South Fork, there is a wildfire growing in the region called the Big Rock Fire. Do some research and find out if it is safe for you to access the river, and be prepared for the possibility of poor air quality.  

Madison River: 

Flows Below Hebgen currently 1300 CFS 

High water temperatures are forcing some hoot owl closures on sections of the Madison river close down to Ennis Lake and below. Consult the FWP website before heading out to fish in Montana. 

Apart from that, the fishing around Three Dollar Bridge and Reynolds Pass have still been productive according to reports here in the shop. Popular fly choices have been the Henry’s Fork Yellow Sally, and nymph patterns imitating small PMD’s and stoneflies. There have been some Tricos making an early appearance, and it would be worthwhile to have a few of these small mayflies in your fly selection for a morning spinnerfall. Streamer fishing early in the morning and late in the day could be a solid option, and I prefer to fish a yellow hopper most afternoons. We have Rio’s Juicy Hopper in stock in multiple colors which is a solid producer during terrestrial season on the Madison River.  

Teton River: 

Flows on the Upper Teton near Driggs are currently 320 CFS 

The Teton River is still running hot in the lower stretches of the river, so most of the angling pressure should be directed towards upstream accesses such as Fox Creek. There is a lot of activity on the Teton river, PMD’s, damselflies, tricos, grasshoppers, 

ants, and rusty spinners. The lower river is low and warm, and most of our guides are choosing to avoid the river below the old damsite in order to minimize fish mortality in this stretch. 

Yellowstone National Park: 

All rivers in Yellowstone National Park are now under Hoot Owl Restrictions, meaning no fishing can occur from 2:00 pm until sunrise the following day. The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon are completely closed to reduce fish kills. Please respect the hoot

owl closures and finish fishing by 2:00 or try exploring some of the park’s stillwater fisheries. 

The Yellowstone river in the park is still fishing well, with reports of those cutthroats still active for PMD’s, Rusty Spinners, and Hoppers. A rubberlegs, duracell, or swung softhackle can produce fish after the noses stop rising. 

The Gallatin River has been a solid option, although water temperatures have been steadily rising. Grasshoppers are all over the river banks, and ants and beetles are a good choice also. For a nymph, a small midge would be a solid option, as well as a pheasant tail or small caddis larva. 

Lamar, Soda Butte and Slough are fishable. PMD’s and caddis are working well, and Slough creek is a personal favorite of mine this time of year. I'll usually fish a Hopper like a Pink Mongo Hopper or an Ant if the fish aren’t consistently rising to mayflies or Caddis.  

Lakes: 

Henry's Lake 

Henry’s lake is fishable, but you have to know where the cold water springs are on the lake, and have a watercraft to get to them. Balanced leeches, chronomids, or a cocktail nymph are your best bet. Talk to some locals and do some research otherwise this fishery is best earlier or later in the season. 

Hebgen 

The Gulpers are active on the lake, so have Callibaetis and Trico imitations ready to catch a few on the surface. Lots of Damselflies are also flying around. Hard to beat an upright organza Callibaetis, or dropping a cocktail or Callibaetis nymph 12-18 inches under your dry fly of choice. Plan your day accordingly, the wind usually picks up around noon and try to keep fish in the water and release them quickly. The surface temperatures of Hebgen have been in the mid 70’s.