Mid Summer Spring Creek Report

I've been off and on........fishing or guiding or totally off or tying flies, rivers or spring creeks or Yellowstone Park waters............. Plus we are seeing mud-plugs on Yellowstone River every now and then. Those brown waters are caused by the (thunder) storms hitting the headwaters of tributaries. Some times (or cases) they are predictable and others totally unexpected!

Livingston's spring creeks have been very popular this summer for right reasons. And they don't get affected by sudden mud-plugs. I can't guarantee that you are able to book rods in a last minute but you'd better keep in mind that creeks are great options.
So here's a brief and crisp fishing report/condition at spring creeks. This would be one of a few, perhaps the first time?, for me to post "fly-shop-like" report.

Two major matters:
Weather has been great through this summer (that applies to all the area waters and towns).
There are still lots of trout, particularly Yellowstone Cutthroat, hanging in creeks!!

When it's not windy in the morning, look for midge hatches. Trout are actively feeding at selected spots of creeks. If not, spot trout under gin-clear water, observe their behavior and actions, and approach them with sight-nymphing = very technical by the way. My choice of under-water patterns are: mayfly nymphs, midge larva, caddis larva, scud, sowbug, and so on.

Also depending on the previous day/night conditions, you may find PMD or Baetis spinners in the morning.

PMD hatch is still viable and strong and trout love them!! Hatches are observed from 10:30am to 1:30pm with emphasis on from 11:00am to 1pm. So plan your lunch break accordingly.
Both size 16 (ephemerella infrequence) and 18 (ephemerella inermis) are equally observed.

In the afternoon, terrestrial fishing at creeks can be as exciting as at big rivers!! Unlike hatch-fishing, you gotta cover one sport or one section thoroughly. Cast & take steps. It's the flock-shooting with purpose!! Look for grassy banks and moving waters. For hoppers and crickets, same fly patterns used for big rivers work but in smaller sizes (say 12 & 14). Beetle and ants are very important and enticing. You need to keep them from size 12 down to 20!!

Caddis also hatch and cause rises of trout but most anglers are not aware of..........

Sulpher mayfly is observed at selected spots in the early evening (around 6pm). What's meant by "selected spots" is these tiny yet beautiful mayflies are spotted here one evening and over there the next evening. You gotta look for them and feeding trout.

Depending on what happens in the morning, PMD spinner falls can be expected in the evening. Also Duns may hatch too!! So keep your eyes wide & open then OBSERVE!!

Don't underestimate evening midge hatch/rise either!!

For fly patterns and daily updates, check with Buzz's Spring Creek Specialists (www.springcreekspecialists.com).
Also, last but not the least, my own ties & patterns are gladly taken by trout too!!
http://leftytyer.blogspot.com.

Enjoy summer everyone!!