What is it like to fly fish at Lone Mountain Ranch? Just ask fishing guide John McKinnie, who has to pinch himself daily to make sure he isn’t dreaming.
Here’s what to expect depending on the time of year, co-authored with our friends at Orvis:
June: Great early-season fishing can be found in the many streams of Yellowstone National Park. Hatches of caddis flies, PMD’s and salmon flies can be found on the Firehole and Madison Rivers. The creeks of the Lamar Valley are also a great early season option. We will also be fishing dam-released sections of some rives, due to the spring run-off. Depending on the snow pack, the Gallatin can also provide good early season action.
- Average temperatures: Lows 30’s, Highs 60’s to 70’s
- Rainfall: 3”
- Hours of daylight: 18
- Water temperatures: 45-50 Degrees
July: Dry-fly fishing is in full swing! We have swarms of hatches on all the rivers. Mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, yellow sallies and spruce moths are abundant and often entice the fish to feed at the surface. The Madison offers the famous salmon fly hatch and spruce moths have been known to cloud the banks of the Gallatin.
- Average temperatures: Lows 40’s, Highs around 80
- Rainfall: 1.5”
- Hours of daylight: 17
- Water temperatures: 50-60 Degrees
August: Trout cruise the banks of the rivers looking for grasshoppers, beetles and ants that fall into the water. Rainbows and browns will take these terrestrial patterns with aggression; a surface strike is sure to get anyone excited. Fishing “hoppers” in the Paradise Valley of the Yellowstone or along the banks of the mighty Missouri can make for a memorable experience. Or, stay closer to the Ranch and fish the Gallatin and Madison, which can also be very productive at this time.
- Average temperatures: Lows 40’s, Highs around 80
- Rainfall: 1.5”
- Hours of daylight: 16
- Water temperatures: 50-60 Degrees
September: The rivers have generally fewer crowds, the wildlife is more abundant, the autumn scenery is stunning and the fishing is great. Terrestrials usually remain consistent, baetis hatches will occur on overcast days and fish will begin to strike at streamers. The Madison in Yellowstone National Park gives an angler a chance for trophy browns that have migrated up river from Hebgen Lake.
- Average temperatures: Lows 30’s, Highs 70’s
- Rainfall: 1.5”
- Hours of daylight:14
- Water temperatures: 45-55 Degrees
Winter Season: To the surprise of many, the winter can be a great time to go fly-fishing. Most of the Gallatin and Madison will remain open year round and can provide some amazing nymph fishing opportunities. The fish will eat mainly stonefly, midge and egg patterns during this time of year.
- Average temperatures: Lows teens, Highs 30’s
- Snowfall: 200”
- Hours of daylight: 9-12
- Water temperatures: 35-45 Degrees