Key Montana Fly Fishing Insects: Yellow Sallies

Yellow sallies (Suwallia pallidula)

Yellow sallies are found in most Montana rivers and emerge from late spring throughout summer.

Montana fishing guides closely monitor the presence and timing of their egg-laying flights of Yellow Sallies. When active, trout key into their nymphs to the point that many individual trout will selectively feed on yellow sally nymphs over mayfly and larger stonefly nymphs.

Yellow sally adults typically emerge and are active during the time of year when myriad Montana insect species hatch at peak numbers too. Dry fly patterns than imitate yellow sally adults are most productive in the afternoons, when hatching insects are less active.

Look for fast, riffly water to fish dries and fish the nymphs near the shoreline and boulder gardens since these stoneflies also crawl out of the water to emerge to adults.

These small green and yellow stoneflies are also known to anglers as “little greens”, “little yellows”, and of course, “yellow sallies”. One of their main features as adults is a prominent red egg sac, so ensure your fly pattern features this for the best success.

Flies in sizes #12-#16 suffice anytime from late June through late August. They typically emerge in the afternoon and are prolific, therefore a large food source for trout in the rivers around Bozeman, Montana.

The 3 Best Montana Rivers for Yellow Sallies:

1. Madison River
2. Beaverhead River
3. Yellowstone River

Top 6 Yellow Sally Flies For Fly Fishing in Montana

Stonefly Fly Fishing In Montana Articles