Tag: fly shops in ennis

March 29th – April 4th | Madison River Fishing Report

We at Beartooth Flyfishing hope everyone had a happy and safe Easter weekend. We have had a few boats out over the last few days. The Madison trout are happy and hungry and looking forward to some warmer weather in the short future as much as we are. The river is fishing as well as can be expected with the water temperatures still cold.

Nymphing is the most consistent method for a solid day of fishing throughout most of the river. Good success has been had with Delektable Mega Princes, Hurless Stones, and our new Delektable Balanced Stones, in sizes #8 – #10. Lil’ Spankers in Pheasant Tail, Silver, Blue, and Red have also been fishing well. Smaller Shop Vac’s in brown or olive #16 – #18. Baetis nymphs in #18 – #20 will also be effective.

Most of the surface activity will be best on the upper reaches of the river. With calmer wind look for risers to be sipping midges and blue winged olives in the slicks behind rocks and riffles throughout the wade section. There are still solid amounts of snow between the lakes and around Raynold’s and 3$. Some cardio post holing will be involved if you don’t have x country skis or snowshoes.

Streamers are fishing well once you’re able to crack the code and find how they want it presented. Again with the water temps on the chilly side, you’ll want to vary your strategies. Dead Drifting, or  slower strips seem to be the most consistent right now. As weather and water warms over the next few weeks they should begin to chase better. Olive, Black, and Brown/Yellow combinations have been the most reliable colors. With White and Natural combos coming into play on the brighter days.

No need to get out super early or stay super late just yet, as the fish are most active between about 10am and 5pm. Unless of course you’re looking for that 24” + toad lurking in the early morning or late evening light.

As always please call us here at Beartooth Flyfishing with any questions, or better yet stop in for some coffee and let us get you hooked up with all the flies and supplies you will need for your next day on the water.

Thursday March 5, 2021 | Madison River Fishing Report

The weather finally co-operated with warm temperatures and no wind. I stopped to wade 3 different sections of the upper Madison. First was McAtee bridge, then Ruby Creek and lastly the picnic area at Palisades. Hooked and landed browns and rainbows on one of my new stonefly nymphs at all 3 fishing spots. I drove all the way up to Hebgen dam to check out all the fly fishers.

They were enjoying the day like I was. All the sites and access points had anglers. As far as boat launches that were being used: Lyons you had to slide your boat or raft down slope from the road or drag it a ways from the parking lot to the river; Windy Point needed a few more days to melt and open up; Palisades was open as was Ruby Creek and McAtee. There were a handful of boats and rafts from Lyons to McAtee.      

It was so good to get out and exercise and to see so many out there enjoying a break in the weather. The bonus of this time of the year is the thousands of elk that can be photographed just by driving up the highway along with the deer, antelope, and other wildlife.

Enjoy Fishing! Dan Delekta

September 13th – 19th | Madison River Fishing Report

Flows came up about 100 C.F.S. from Hebgen Dam which is great. Fishing has been overall a bit inconsistent but we’re still getting some good ones. As the fish get used to the bump in water flows we expect to see more consistency but it’s also a bit of a transitional time around here as fall creeps in so anything can happen.

The dry fly fishing has been on the tougher side but those who have stuck with it have caught some fish. Small Delektable Chubbyness flies, the new Delektable Lil’ Chubby, Thunder Thighs Hoppers, Delektable Flying Ants, Elk hair Caddis and Purple Hazes have all seen some success.

Nymph fishing has been pretty good as one would expect. Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Hook Lightning Bugs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Psycho Princes, $3 Dips, Green Machines, Princes and Worms have all been good options.

As we inch closer to everyone’s favorite month to fish Streamers, people are coming into the shop with more and more big fish stories. Flies like Galloup’s Silk Kitty, Galloup’s Dungeon, Delektable Screamers, McCune’s Sculpins, Trevor’s Sculpins and Zonkers are all good. Have fun out there fishing!

August 23rd – 29th | Madison River Fishing Report

A fun part of this past week was all the youngsters we had the privilege of taking fishing. We had several trips that consisted of grandparents, parents, and grandkids fishing together which is always great to see and be a part of. As for the fishing, not a lot has changed but we expect the incoming weather to mix things up a bit. We’re expecting a significant drop in air temperature for tomorrow along with some rain.

Flows are down some from last week, 890 C.F.S. below Hebgen, 1,010 C.F.S. at Kirby and 1,030 down at Varney. Keep an eye out for those gravel bars that have become more exposed over the last few days.

Streamers and nymphs will be coming into play a bit more with the inconsistent weather but we expect the hardcore dry fly guys to continue to get it done with Hoppers, Ants and smaller Chubbies. The patterns haven’t changed much with flies like Dornan’s Water Walkers, Delektable Chubbyness, Delektable Secret Stones, Delektable Flying Ants and all your favorite Grasshopper flies doing the job. Dan has added a new Delektable Fly Design called the Delektable Lil’ Chubby which has a wide gap hook and is tied in sizes #14-#18. They are Sweet and the shop will need to order more because they are working.

Under the Bobber you should be fishing Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Lightning Bugs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Copper Johns, Serendipities, Formerly Known as Princes or anything comparable to those patterns.

Streamer fishing has improved a bit but maybe that’s just because more people are fishing them. Flies like Bow River Buggers, Delektable Screamers, Zonkers, Mini Dungeons and Trevor’s Sculpins have all been good options. 

August 9th – 15th | Madison River Fishing Report

It’s Terrestrial time. Yes, still Terrestrial time. There’s no end in sight. The fish just keep looking up and as long as the sun keeps shining during the day, we don’t expect that to change. August brings some tough days now and then but the Streamer and Nymph bite has been able to save a few of them for us lately so keep that in mind.

The Nymphing is probably best in the morning before things warm up for the Hoppers and Ants. Pat’s Rubberlegs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Lightning Bugs, Pheasant Tails, Princes, Delektable Hammerheads and Copper Johns have all been doing the trick weather they’re fished under the Hopper, behind a Streamer or in tandem with another nymph.

Not much has changed in the way of dry flies. Dornan’s Water Walkers, Delektable Secret Stones, Delektable Chubbyness, Yaeger’s 409, Thunder Thighs, Fat Franks, Fat Alberts, More-Or-Less Hoppers and Sheila Hoppers are all catching fish as well as a variety of Beetle and Ant patterns.

Much like the Nymphs, Streamers have been best early while it’s cool out. Zonkers, Delektable Screamers, McCune’s Sculpins, Bond’s Mini Dragons, Trevor’s Sculpins, and Bow River Buggers are all worth tying on if you’re looking for that meat eater out there.

 

July 26th – August 8th | Madison River Fishing Report

Well it’s officially August and that means one thing around here: Grasshopper Season!! We talked about Grasshoppers last week and you can expect to hear it again next week so get used to Hopper talk around the valley. There are a few Caddis and Mayflies still kicking around along with some Nocturnal Stoneflies so keep that in mind in the mornings and evenings.

Nymphing has still been good despite all the surface action. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Lightning Bugs, Formerly Known as Prince, Shop Vacs, $3 Dips, Little Green Machines and Other Nymphs are all good choices. Best bet is to fish these under the hopper in the afternoon or in tandem under a bobber in the mornings and evenings. And it works without a Bobber with two Small Nymphs and a bit of weight with a tight line.

As far as Dry fly fishing goes it’s all about Terrestrials. Hoppers, Ants and Beetles have all been getting some attention from the trout. Thunder Thighs Hoppers, Panty Dropper Hoppers, Dave’s Hoppers, Parachute Hoppers, Streambank Hoppers, Morrish Hoppers, and any other Hopper pattern you believe in should do the trick. Delektable Flying Ants, Bloom’s Stealth Ant, Hippie Stompers and the Yeager’s 409 are good for the Beetles and Ants.

Streamers aren’t Grasshoppers. You’ll probably just want to fish hoppers but if you’re the kind of fella that needs to throw the big stuff I’d recommend getting up early and throwing things like Delektable Screamers, John Bond’s Dragon, Galloup’s Dungeon, Bow River Buggers or Zonkers.

                       

July 19th – 25th | Madison River Fishing Report

The Hoppers are coming! The Hoppers are coming! Get those boxes of foam ready and stock up on floatant now. We’re seeing signs that suggest another great terrestrial season. The Grasshopper bite was just getting started towards the end of this first of two weeks and if it’s anything like last year’s Hopper action, there’s no end in sight. With all that being said, the Hopper fishing isn’t red hot quite yet but the early signs are promising and it is so much fun. We are hopeful! The leaps, drive by’s, bites, and near bite misses are great fishing entertainment fun because you can see the fish go for it. Be patient and let them bite it. A little twitching can help attract them too. The action can be on the edge but also in the middle of the river and near boulders and a variety of places. Experiment!

A few nice ones have been caught on the dries these two weeks. Although we’re all very excited about Grasshoppers don’t forget about some of the other smaller Attractor Dry Flies like the Purple Haze and Purple Craze, Delektable Chubbyness, Stimulators, Dornan’s Water walkers, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis, Delektable Sparkle Bugs and “X” Caddis, and the Delektable Twisted Baby. In addition PMD’s and Sallies were still on this past first week. As far as the terrestrials go the More-Or-Less hopper, Thunder Thighs, Panty Dropper Hopper, Yeagers 409, Delektable Flying Ant and Bloom’s Stealth Ant are all good choices.

The Nymphs have been and likely always will be the most effective way to catch fish. Size #16 has become more frequent on the smaller nymphs. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Delektable Hammerhead Jig Hooks, Delektable Lime and Lemon Juice, Formerly Known as Prince, Various Prince Patterns, Psycho Princes in a variety of colors, Shop Vacs, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Lightning Bugs, $3 Dips and Lemon Drops have all been successful on the bead head side of things.

The Streamer bite has been sort of hit or miss but there’s plenty of carnivorous little Brown Trout swimming around out there. Sculpin patterns are your best bet, smaller darker flies like Mini Loop Sculpins, Delektable Screamers, Zonkers, JR’s Conehead and John Bond’s Dragon should move some nice trout.