Fishing Report - September 5, 2025

Upper Henry’s Fork

Flows are steadily dropping, and are down to around 600 CFS through the Box Canyon right now. Turbidity remains an issue making fishing in the Box fairly slow. It’s still a streamer and nymphing game, with sparse surface action here and there. Above Island Park Reservoir, Coffee Pot remains a consistent producer.

The Ranch has also been slower due to the turbid nature of the river. Below Osborne springs it clears up a bit, and the fishing has been better from there down to around Pinehaven. Smaller fish are consistently rising, but finding larger fish has been more difficult. Remain patient and vigilant, and don’t be afraid to stay in one spot for a while to try and spot a big head rising. Honey ants, beetles, and hoppers are still the primary options, but Mahogany Duns should start to appear soon as the weather continues to cool off.

Lower Henry’s Fork

Flows are good, though weed growth can make nymphing a bit more technical. Terrestrials are still around, especially mid day when it starts to warm up. Streamers are moving quality fish, though action is spotty. I like to have a mix of Sculpzilla's, Conehead Sculpin's, and Sparkle Minnow’s ready to work. I’ve been fishing them on floating lines, as every time I’ve used sinking lines I’ve been getting hung up too much on the grass on the bottom. As the temperature drops, the grass should start detaching from the bottom, improving subsurface fishing conditions. Every evening there seems to be a hatch of tiny black caddis around sunset to dusk. Double dry fly has been my preferred method here, trailing a visible chubby behind a small caddis so I can see my small dry fly in low light conditions. With water temperatures dropping and fewer anglers around, it’s a great time to explore this stretch. 

South Fork of the Snake

Flows have come down significantly, making early morning dry fly action with mutant stones even better than it has been. Hoppers and water walkers remain effective throughout the day, and nymphing under an indicator has been consistent. The South Fork is maintaining its status as the consistent producer in the area. 

Madison River

Hoppers and ants are producing steady action, particularly midday when it warms up. A cloudy morning and/or evening can make for ideal nymphs and streamers conditions, especially when targeting deeper runs or structure. Focus on fishing behind rocks and seams for best results, especially in the higher up sections near Raynold’s Pass and between the lakes. Down by 3 Dollar

Teton River

The upper Teton is fishing well with PMDs and terrestrials, especially when winds are calm. Hoppers, beetles, and ants are effective mid-morning, while canyon stretches have been fishing well with hopper-dropper setups. Streamer fishing has also been effective, especially with articulated patterns and smaller jig streamers. Lower Teton flows are getting low and warm, so plan to fish early and wrap up by midday. A small tungsten dropper can boost success in slower water.

Yellowstone National Park

The closures on the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon Rivers has been lifted, and they are now on hoot owl restrictions. Unfortunately they have not been open long enough for us to have a solid report on them. The northeast corner continues to shine, with the Yellowstone, Lamar, and Slough Creek offering excellent fishing. Hoppers, beetles, and ants are drawing consistent surface action on calm afternoons. Mayflies and caddis are still active, so be prepared to adjust your rig if fish get selective. We should be seeing grey drakes as the temperature’s drop and terrestrial action wanes off.

Lakes

Hebgen Lake continues to fish well with strong Callibaetis hatches and occasional trico spinner falls. Watch for morning risers and switch to leeches or chironomids if things slow down. On Henry’s Lake, cooler inflow areas like Targhee and Duck Creek are holding fish. Slow-stripping leeches or using balanced patterns under an indicator is proving most effective.