This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state.   For more detailed information, contact a fly shop, bait store, or boat marina for the particular water.   For detailed information on river flows, visit:   http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow 

Late summer means that terrestrial time has neared its peak in Montana.   Patterns such as grasshoppers, ant, crickets and beetles are tough to beat during the hot summer months, and this year is no exception.   Savvy anglers will often fish a dropper fly off the back of the terrerestrial, and doing so is quite simple.   To attach the dropper, simply tie a 12 to 18 inch piece of tippet material directly to the bend of the upper fly hook, and tie the dropper to it.   Good dropper patterns this time of year would include small beadhead nymphs, san juan worms, or brassy midge patterns.   On the lakes and reservoirs, the small fish which hatched in the spring are growing to a size where they are providing good forage for larger fish, which sometimes causes a slowdown in the fishing action during this time of year.   Anglers can adjust by trying to match the smaller sizes of the forage fish, whether they be perch, suckers, or another species of fish.

Some of the best fishing bets right now:

Beaver Creek Reservoir:   Night fishing has been producing a few, but mostly larger walleyes lately, and trout action has been steady for most of the summer.

Fort Peck Reservoir:   Reports on salmon and lake trout fishing have been getting better and better, which is improved fishing over the past few years.   Check with other anglers or call ahead for the best lures and techniques, as conditions often change quite a bit from day to day.

Lake Francis:   Yellow perch are biting very well, and although the walleye action has slowed somewhat, the average size of the fish taken remains very good.

Fresno Reservoir:   Northern pike fishing has been steady throughout much of the summer, with a wide variety of sizes being caught.   Aggressive pike, even small fish, are a great way to introduce a young person to fishing.

Gallatin River:   The upper river has remained cool and is fishing well.   Terrestrial patterns such as ants and hoppers are the ticket.

Missouri River:   Moderating air temperatures have cooled the water a bit, making the Missouri a decent prospect for hopper fishing, or for throwing spoons and spinners up against the bank.

Lower Missouri River:   Some big catfish have been reported out of the lower and middle stretches of the Missouri, with walleye and sauger fishing as a bonus.

Mountain Streams:   Now is a great time to get out a map and go explore those smaller streams up in the hills.   Basic attractor fly patterns, small lures, or live bait will usually produce fish, and this is a nice break from the crowded, technical fishing that is sometimes found on the big-name waters.

Nelson Reservoir:   Fishing reports have been a little better lately, as the walleye bite seems to be picking up.   Be prepared to search a lot of water, and don’t spend too much time in one spot if the fish aren’t cooperating.

Yellowstone River:   Morning fishing for both trout and whitefish has been good around Livingston, especially with small nymphs and streamers.