Tag: Brown Trout

August 21st-27th|Madison River Fishing Report Eclipse & 60th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much to share. This week we experienced the Solar Eclipse on the river and Kevin provided shots from Idaho. We had a mixture of fun fishing experiences including us and many friends and new friends. We had special surprise guests for Dan’s 60th birthday. And…we shared an incredible birthday cake Elle made totally in honor of Dan and “Scar Tissue”. It was quite the week of incredible experiences, fun fishing, great reunions, fabulous cake and terrific food too. Life at Beartooth can be so much fun. Thank you for sharing.

Fishing on the Upper Madison hasn’t changed too much throughout the month of August. The biggest change we’ve seen over the past week is that bigger fish are eating a little more readily, let’s hope that lasts. Flows are up slightly from last week below the dam to 1,040 c.f.s. and 1,190 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch. 

 

Dry fly fishing has still been really good even though sometimes we end up with a totally Tyke bite for a day then bigger fish the next day. Big swarms of flying ants can be seen from Storey Ditch down past Varney Bridge later in the afternoon but they’ll eat them almost all day. The Delektable flying ant in Purple or Cinnamon has consistently been our best pattern. Quigley’s glitter ant and the smaller Yeager’s 409’s in red are doing the trick as well. Early in the day a small Adams or Purple Craze has brought success while pseudos are about and hoppers are still producing as well. For those, the cast and location is important. The Delektable Chubbyness in #14’s and #16’s is still a good pattern with best results in UV Purple, UV Cinnamon, and Royal this week. Hoppers in pink, yellow, and cream underneath are still working.

 

Under the surface fish are taking big or  small princes, small Delektable pheasant tail Lil’ Spankers, tan/brown or olive/brown Rubberlegs, bigger Delektable Hammerheads, Hare’s Ears and Delektable Big Spanker Warriors. Lightning Bugs in Silver and Pearl are still good. These flies have all been pretty good all day but best During the late morning and early afternoon.

 

 

As for the streamer fishing, things continue to improve. We’ve seen some good action into the hottest part of the day the last couple days. Some of our best bugs are the Delektable Single Screamer in white, the Sculpzilla in White or Tan, Mini Loops, Silvey’s sculpin leech and the Conehead Bow River Bugger. Using a sinking leader has helped with Slow strips and dead drifts around the boulders. You could even add a trailing small nymph from the list above. The smoke remains in the mountains and less so on the river.

Don’t forget to call the shop for the latest fishing information 406-682-7525. Thank you for the fun and support.

The Delektable Crew

August 14th-20th|Madison River Fishing Report

Well it’s late August, we’re flowing at about 1,000 c.f.s. below Hebgen and 1150 at Kirby. Fishing has been without much change over the past couple weeks with most fish being caught on terrestrial dries or nymphs. The forecast is calling for more warm and bright days coming up which is just fine to keep the hopper bite going.

We’ve experienced some good pseudo  action hatches in the mornings and in the evenings of the same. Starting the day with a #18 or #20 parachute adams or purple craze would not be a bad idea. As it gets warmer later in the morning I’d recommend going back to the ants and hoppers. The purple Delektable Flying Ant, Dave’s Hopper, the White Cloud Hopper, Quigley’s Glitter Ant, Delektable Slammers and Fat Alberts have all been bringing fish up. There are still Spruce Moths in the early part of the day in the upper so think about trying variations of that including: Delektable Twisted Baby, Sister, or X in Tan Brown or try purple for whatever reason it is okay, purple is always a special trick color.

Our guides are catching fish on nymphs pretty consistently. Some of the top flies have been Pat’s Rubberlegs in olive/brown, Delektable pheasant tail Lil’ Spankers, Delektable prince Hammerheads, Wire Worms, Prince Nymphs and Rainbow Warriors. Any two of those under a bobber or under a streamer should produce something for you at any time of day.

   

 

The best streamer fishing is still early in the morning with small sculpin patterns. We’ve seen fish eat Bow River Buggers in black or olive, Zonkers, Mini Loops and sparkle minnows. Slow strips and dead drifts should do the trick.       

Stop in the shop or give us a call for any more info you may need on how to have the best experience possible on the Upper Madison or any of our nearby waters. Enjoy the rest of the Summer!

August 7th – 13th|Madison River Fishing Report

The Upper Madison is flowing at 1030 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake, 1190 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch and 1220 at Varney Bridge. The forecast calls for some much needed scattered thunder storms over the next few days with night time low temps in the 40s. We’re looking forward to kicking the dry heat for a while.

 

Our best action lately has been on dry flies. Spruce moths, ants and grasshoppers are picking fish up throughout the river. For the hoppers I’ve been doing well a with peach or pink body color. Morrish hoppers, white clouds and yeti hoppers have been a few of my favorites. Delektable twisted X has been our go to spruce moth pattern with some of the bigger elk hairs or Goddards are doing the trick as well, most of the spruce moths will be found between Pine Butte and Palisades. Small 409’s, Hippie Stompers and Delektable flying ants are working well, ants are seeing the bulk of the action most days.

Nymphing is picking up after a bit of a tough week last week. The river isn’t handing fish out like it was in June and July but if you’re willing to work for them they’ll eat. Smaller Pat’s Rubberlegs in brown or olive/brown, Princes, Lightning Bugs and Silver Delektable Lil’ Spankers are all doing the job at the right time.

 

Streamer fishing is picking up and smaller sculpin patterns have been the ticket. Fish have been moving out from the banks and all around boulders. Morrish’s Sculpin, Trina’s Belly Dancer, Silvey’s Sculpin and The Delektable Screamer have all been getting some attention in addition to Shiela. Either dead drift them into boulder pockets or strip them off the bank and you should see some results.

It’s been a great season so far and we’re looking forward to what the rest of the summer brings! Be sure to call or stop by for ant more tips you may need.

Brian, Kevin, and the Delektable Crew

July 24th-30th|Madison River Fishing Report

Thanks to everyone who came out to the shop to support the children for our Montana Hope Project fundraiser, we had a very successful turn out and donations are still rolling in already exceeding last year’s totals! It was incredible to see so many of our friends come together for such a great cause. And the food was great! Also, thanks to Elle from Elles Belles for providing some incredible desserts. Yumm!

As we transition into August the fishing is doing exactly what you’d expect with terrestrials really starting to come into play. Fish are showing a serious interest in flies like the red Delektable Flying Ant, Yeager’s 409, Grillo’s royal Hippie Stomper and the Hi-Vis Foam Beetle. There are still some PMDs kickin’ around up river as well, fishing the spinners in the evening has produced some quality fish. Spruce Moths have also been picking up fish in the shape of Delektable Twisted X tan/brown or bigger tan Elk Hairs.

 

Under the surface things are typical for the Madison, bead heads work. Some of our most productive flies have been the Delektable C.D.C. Baby, flashback Hare’s Ears, Prince’s, Delektable Silver Lil’ Spankers, Lightning Bugs and smaller Olive/Brown Pat’s Rubberlegs. The tail end of the ten day forecast looks like it’s going to be cooling off a bit with highs in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s which will be a pleasant change of pace.

The streamer fishing has been picking up overall but is still best during the cooler starts and ends of the day with dead drifting being the way to go during the afternoon. My best pattern is still the Olive/Black Delektable Screamer but Mini Loops, Trevor’s Sculpins and McCune’s are getting the job done as well.

 

 

Be sure to stop in and get your free Italian coffee and all the bugs you need before getting out on the water!

Brian, Kevin, and the Delektable Crew

July 17th-23rd|Madison River Fishing Report

 

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. for the Montana Hope Project fundraiser here at the shop. In other news it’s been another good week of fishing here on the Upper Madison. Flows are still well above average for this time of year and the fish seem to be enjoying all the extra space. They’re spread throughout the entire river, even out in the heaviest current. 

 

The brown trout have really started to show an interest in sculpin patterns this past week. We’ve been getting them to come out for Delektable Screamers in olive/black and badger as well as Trevor’s Sculpin in olive. They seem to be into a pretty fast strip for the most part but I’ve managed to pick a couple up on the swing in the middle of the river too.  

 

The bead-head stuff has been very successful most days. They were all over the pearl Lightning Bug (size #16) today. We’re also seeing some good action on Prince Nymphs, Electric Caddis pupa and rainbow warriors for the small stuff. Nocturnal stonefly shucks have been appearing on the banks in the morning so it most likely won’t be a bad bet to run a tan/brown Pat’s Rubberleg or a Delektable Braided Stone in the same colors along with one of the small bugs. 

 

The surface action has been good, but much tougher in the middle of the day. Some ants should be able to get something’s attention during and I’ve seen few fish come after hoppers recently as well. PMDs are still around and fish have been taking them in the mornings in the form of the Purple Craze, Adams flies, and Sparkle Duns all on a size #16 hook and again in the evening as rusty spinners. There’s still some good caddis fishing to be had in the evenings as well. I’ve still been having luck on the Delektable Halo with the peacock body in a size #16. 

 

We’ll be in the shop 7a.m.-7p.m. 7 days next week so be sure to stop by and tell some fish stories or get some up to the minute advice on how to have a great experience on the water.

July 10th-16th|Madison River Fishing Report

 

 

 

 

 

The Upper Madison is flowing at 1180 c.f.s. below Hebgen and 1490 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch and fishing well throughout. We’re looking forward to the forecasted cooler nights combined with the intermittent precipitation we’ve had to keep the water temps down at a healthy level.

 

A few of our local rivers have “hoot owl” fishing restrictions, they are as follows: The Big Hole River from Saginaw bridge to the mouth of the North fork and from Notch Bottom to the confluence with the Beaverhead,    The Lower Beaverhead River from Anderson Lane to the confluence with the Big Hole,    The Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the mouth,    The Lower Gallatin River from the confluence with the Madison to Sheds Bridge,   The East Gallatin River from Spring Hill Rd Bridge to the confluence with the Gallatin  and last but not least,  The entire Jefferson River. These locations will be closed to fishing from 2 p.m. until midnight as long as water temps remain high.

 

 The fish are fighting extremely hard so bring your a-game if you want to land them. Salmon flies and golden stoneflies are a thing of the past at this point but the Ants, Caddis and PMD’s are doing just fine at getting the fish’s attention.

 

Dry fly fishing is still best in the evening but we’ve also been sucking them up in the middle of the day on the #16 Bloom’s Stealth Ant. They’re still on the caddis in the evening as well as the spinners. To imitate those we’ve been using Delektable C.D.C. Elk Hair Caddis Tan #16 and the Goddard Caddis in size #16. For the mayflies it’s the Parachute Rusty Spinner or a Parachute Adams in either #14 or #16. 

 

As always nymphing is the way to go in the middle of these bright and hot days we’ve been having. Some of our guys have been picking fish up on #10 olive brown Pat’s Rubberlegs but other than that they’ve been on the small bugs. #14 Princes, #16 Hare’s Ears, #16 gold Lightning Bugs and some #14 Shop Vacs and a variety of PMD or Yellowstone or Yellow Sally Nymphs should be plenty to get the job done any time of day.    

 

Streamer fishing has been on the tough side, haven’t heard of much coming for the big stuff but we have had a few good reports on the small stuff. Swinging small sculpin patterns will probably be your best bet if you’re looking for a meat-eater. I’d recommend tan Zonkers, natural Sculpzillas or a Sheila’s Sculpin and get out there early while water temps are low. 

 

Lastly, don’t forget to come by the shop next weekend for our fundraiser for the Montana Hope Project. Great food, good people, fly tying and casting clinics all for an amazing cause. That’s Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. Dan’s going to be making elk chili and Marty will have his famous Cajun Gumbo as well as some fantastic deserts from the Country Bumpkin Bakery and Elle’s Belles. All proceeds will go straight to the foundation in addition to a percentage of all retail in the shop. We hope to see you there!

Brian, Kevin, and the Delektable Crew