Tag: Flyfishing

May 30th-June 5th | Upper Madison Fishing Report

Rain, Rain, Stay, Stay!! What a beautiful birth of Spring life we are seeing this week! The mid 50s-60 degree temperatures and daily rainfall have brought a complete rebirth to the Valley. Fur babies are roaming around the water ways with their protective mothers; it is best to be aware and keep your distance if and when you encounter these precious animals. The river has turned from an off-color brown to a deep green this week and is just perfect! The Madison at Kirby started this week at 1,070cfs and gradually dropped to 850cfs by the end of the week; at Cameron we saw the river at 1,800cfs at the beginning of the week, by Friday a drop to 1,200cfs and finishing with another rise at 1,700cfs by Sunday as the tributaries continue to rise and fall with the weather conditions. Fishing is always good, as for catching right now it is hit or miss . However, we have reports of tentative nibbling and missed hits. Streamers and larger nymphs have been the most productive, but we have seen some top action when the weather breaks between rain showers. The wade fish only section of the river has been the most productive with the clearer water and lower flows making it an easier wading experience. As always, we end with some great pictures, the proof is in the pudding!

Nymphs: Delektable Hurless Olive Flashback #6-#10, Pat’s Rubberlegs Black/Brown #4-#6, Delektable B.H. Black Stoner #6, Delektable Black Guide Stone #6, Delektable Prince Brandon #10-#12, Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail #12-#14, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Jighead Holo Green #14, Tungsten BH Jiggy Blow Torch #14-#16, BH Hot Orange Pheasant Tail #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #16-#18, Psycho Prince GB Caddis Green #14, Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Halo Olive #16.

Dries: Purple Haze Parachute #10-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#18, Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness Royal #10-#12.

Streamers: Dali Llama Olive/White #6,  Zonker Natural Size #6, Delektable Double SS Screamers Olive & White/Black & Olive/Black/Olive & Yellow #8, Delektable Double/Single Screamers Black/Olive/Yellow #6-#8, SculpZilla Black #8, Sex Dungeon White/Black & Olive/Black #4.

June 2nd, 2022 | Quake Lake Fishing Report

What a special day to spend fishing with great friends!! Dan was whisked away from the shop by his good friend Sean and went in to hunt for big fish and good times at Quake Lake; they found both!! Putting in at Lake Story and motoring up to the inlet of the Madison River; fishing Beaver Creek, stripping Streamers around the big dead trees and spot fishing to risers, the lake showed it’s pre runoff glory!!! All the food groups were on the menu from Streamers to Dries to Nymphs the fish were hungry! Lower flows, slightly off color, mixed overcast and sunny conditions contributed to optimal conditions to fish before the water rises and muds up, if you can catch this brief window between ice off and runoff the day will be epic! As always the pictures tell the story far better than this author can!

Nymphs: Delektable Hurless Stone FB Olive #6, Delektable Mega Prince Standard FB #6, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #18-14.

Dries: Parachute Adams #18-#14, Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness Royal #12

Streamers: Delektable Double SS Screamers Green/Olive #6

May 17th-May 22nd Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Montana Spring has many surprises, mostly the weather! This week started with temperatures in the high 60s, snow by Friday melted later in the day, and a full-blown blizzard on Sunday.  The river showed some signs of runoff with the West Fork kicking in mud with the higher temperatures early in the week however the cooler temps turned that off as quickly as it turned on and the river was running clear by Sunday. We saw fluctuations in the river this week starting out with flows at Kirby at 750cfs up to 980cfs by mid-week and coming back down to 715cfs. There was a similar pattern for Cameron as well 860cfs at the beginning of the week, 1,300cfs by midweek, and dropping to 900cfs by Sunday. The changing conditions have made some days challenging for catching but alternatively have made other days amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were very excited and honored this week to host students and teachers from the Nueva School in Hillsborough, California on a guided float on the Upper Madison. The kids have been learning about fly-fishing and practicing casting at school; they put their preparation and knowledge to the test on Thursday. The “W” and temp factor added some special variables. As for their experience, the pictures tell the best story!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #6-#8, Delektable Hurless Stone Gray/Olive FB #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver/Pheasant Tail #12-#16, Delektable Prince Brandon #10-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, BH Hot Orange Pheasant Tail #14-#18, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Hare’s Ear #14-#16, Delektable Stoner Egg Head Spark Plug Black/Brown #6, Delektable BH Black Stoner #6, Lightning Bug Silver #16-#18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dries: Delektable Mega 2Tone Chubbyness Royal #8-#10, Purple Haze Parachute #16-#18, Geppert Crystal Dip #16-#18, Parachute Adams #16-#18, BWO Para-Sipper #18-#20, Three Dollar Crystal Dip GB #16, Delektable BWO Teaser #18, Delektable Royal Squeezer #18-#20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Streamers: Coffey’s BH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6, Delektable Screamer Single/Double Olive/Yellow/Black/Spawning #6, Zonker Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive #8, Sparkle Minnow Fish Skull Black #8, Slump Buster Black #8.

 

 

 

 

 

May 9th-May 16th Upper Madison River Fishing Report

The Midnight Rain Dances have worked here in the Valley! We are of this week at 100% snowpack and the valley is unveiling its spring beauty; green glory, trees budding and little wildflowers starting to peek out from the warming earth. We started the week off with temperatures in the 40’s and finished off the week with temps in the low 70’s! The River has been running steadily at 750-800 cfs at Kirby but fluctuating at 1,020 cfs earlier in the week, dropping down to 860 cfs mid-week and finishing at 1,050 cfs by the 15th.  We saw a touch of runoff on the 14th and 15th with the warmer weather but that has stopped with the cold front moving in. The Caddis and Mayfly’s have been seen and are working on the River, when the W factor isn’t blowing them all away, which has has been calmer this week. The fish that have been caught this week have been healthy and hungry and seem as eager as we for warmer weather! As always, the pictures tell the best story. And way to go Patsy and Joan! 

Nymphs: Pat’s Black #6 & #10, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #16, RS2 Olive #18, Delektable BH Prince Brandon #16-#10, Delektable Mega Prince STD, FB & Olive #6-#10, Delektable Guide Stone Black #6-#10, Tungsten BH Jiggy Blow Torch #16-#18, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Pheasant Tail #16-#18, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Olive Green #18-#20, Geppert Crystal Dip Black, Brown #16-#18, ShopVacs #14-18.

Dries: Delektable Twisted X Tan/Brown #16, Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness Royal #10, Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Caddis Green #16, Purple Haze Parachute #16, Griffith’s Gnat #16-20, BWO Para Sipper #18-20, Delektable Teaser BWO #18-20.

 

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double SS Jointed Black, Olive, White, Spawning, Purple Black #6, Sculpzilla Olive or Black #4-8, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow #6, Zonker Natural #6, BH Dude Friendly Black/Natural #10.

May 1st-May 8th Madison River Fishing Report

Wow! What a Wet and Wild Spring we have had in Southwest Montana. Temps have varied from mid 30s to high 60s through the week and the conditions have been no wind and sunny to full blown 50 mph wind gusts and white out snowy conditions. Then switching to heavy rain with light wind and back to sunny with no wind: all these conditions possibly all within the span of one day. The true fishing believers braving the weather in search of the bite have been hardened and truly indoctrinated in what it means to fish in Montana in the Spring; and for their perseverance in the elements many have been rewarded handsomely! The Crew at Beartooth Flyfishing and the fishing community are overjoyed for the moisture that the weather has been bringing us this past month. At this time last month, we were sitting at 73% our normal snowpack and within the month we have climbed to 92% and still climbing!!

The flows on the Upper Madison earlier this week were 730cfs at Kirby and 805cfs at Varney gradually climbing to 820cfs @ Kirby and 1,020cfs at Varney by the end of the week. With the variable weather conditions this week fish are still moving slow (but biting hard) with colder water temperatures and nymphing has been the way! The Streamer bite is coming on but slowly and dead drifting has been the most productive technique. Fishing has been awesome this week the pictures below tell the story more beautifully than we can!

Nymphs: Pat’s  Rubber Legs Black #10, Delektable Hurless Stone Gray #8, Delektable Mega Prince Standard #8, Formerly Known as Prince #14-16, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail #14-20, Shop Vacs #14-18, Delektable Rootbeer Float Baetis Dark Grey/ Olive #18-20.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double SS Jointed Screamer Black, Olive or White #6, Sculpzilla Olive or Black #4-8, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow #6.

Dries: Para Adams #12-20, Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-20, Griffith’s Gnat #16-20, BWO Para Sipper #18-20, Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-20.

 

May 2nd & May 5th Lower Madison River Fishing Report

Lower Madison

The flows on the Lower Madison River are running  low, having to walk the boat in some sections, this week the temperatures are running quite cold at 48.2F which may be a reason the bite has been slower and exclusively on Nymphs and Small Streamers. The wind factor has also contributed for rough conditions for fisherman or a rower! Now we are patiently awaiting warm weather to hopefully get the Mother’s Day Caddis popping!

Nymphs: BH Mo River Pheasant Tail #16-18, Delektable  Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Pheasant Tail #16-20, Pat’s Rubber Legs Black #10.

Streamers: Zonker Natural #6, Slump Buster Squirrel Gold #6, Delektable Screamer Single Black, Olive, White or Yellow #6.

May 2nd-May 3rd Big Hole River Fishing Report

As of May 2nd and 3rd our guides report the river is running low, 550cfs at Maiden Rock, clear and cold. The bite is a little slower but fish are fighting hard and sure are pretty! The colder weather hasn’t produced great conditions for dries, however we have seen some Skwalla action but the Nymph bite is on and strong.

Nymphs: Pat’s  Rubber Legs Black #10, Delektable Hurless Stone Gray #8, Delektable Mega Prince FB Olive #8, Delektable Guide Stone Black #8, Formerly Known as Prince #14-16

Dries: Dornan’s Waterwalker Skwalla Olive #12, Delektable Secret Stone UV Dark Olive #10-12, Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UV Dark Olive #10-12, Carlson’s Purple Craze #16, Para Adams #18-20.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double SS Jointed in Black, Olive or White #6, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow JJ #6.

May 1st- May 2nd Jefferson River Fishing Report

Jefferson

The Jeff is fishing Hot, Hot, HOT! Our guided trips on May 1st and 2nd were filled with fish stories and consistent hook ups. Flows running clear and at 740cfs at Twin Bridges and water temps. averaging around 50F the dry fly action is on, as well as Emergers and Nymphs. Yet again the pictures tell the story the best!

Nymphs: Pat’s  Rubber Legs Black & Brown #10, Delektable Hurless Stone Gray #8, Delektable Mega Prince Standard #8, Formerly Known as Prince #14-16, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail #14-20, Shop Vacs #14-18, Delektable Rootbeer Float Baetis Dark Grey/ Olive #18-20

Dries: Para Adams #12-20, Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-20, Griffith’s Gnat #16-20, BWO Para Sipper #18-20, Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-20, Delektable Secret Stone UV Dark Olive #10-12, Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UV Dark Olive #10-12.

Streamers: Zonker Natural #6, Slump Buster Squirrel Gold #6, Delektable Screamer Single Black, Olive, White or Yellow #6.

March 20th-March 27th | Madison River Fishing Report

Spring has sprung in the Madison Valley, which consequently means we start the week with a snowstorm and end with 70 degrees wading in shorts weather! The “W” factor (wind) in the valley was moderate this week, a mixture of calm in the morning and breezy in the afternoon or vice versa. The river is running at lower flows this time of the year with a spike of 700 cfs at Kirby Ranch earlier this week and ending with 643 cfs by Sunday. Do not let these flows discourage you from fishing as these flows make wading, especially on the upper river by Three Dollar and Raynolds Pass, a friendly and safer experience. Just be careful not to walk on the reds in the pea gravel. Boat navigation is possible if you are experienced in rowing in low flows and able to read the flow and follow the path in the deepest water. As it may be more difficult conditions for floating it is worth it as the people hatch is at a minimum!

The Delektable crew was able to break away from work and do a true fishing test on Sunday and oh! boy! what a beautiful day! Nymphs, fished in tandem with a #B split shot 16” above first fly and at some deeper holes wade fishing 2 or 3 #B shot, were the most productive means for catching, both rainbow and browns chomping down and of course some very healthy whitefish. Later in the day as the cloud cover came in, we switched to two single Streamers dead drifted with a little twitch that produced several nibbles and 3 successful catches. We also have reports from Three Dollar and Raynolds Pass that middle of the day to afternoon BWOs are working in the pools, slicks and behind the rocks if the wind is calm. If you find yourself getting beaten up by the fish and doubting your choices remember the worm hatch is always happening!

Nymphs: Delektable FB Braided Brownstone size #8, Delektable FB Hurless Stone size #8, Delektable FB Olive Mega Prince #8, Delektable Big Spanker Warrior size #18, Delektable Worm Red and Earthworm Brown Size #12

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single White size #6, Bunny Buster #8, Mini Sculpin Natural Size #10, Mini Loop Sculpin Olive size #8

Dries: BWO Para-Sipper #18 & 20, ETHA- Wing Dun BWO size #18 &20

February 3rd | Madison River Fishing Report

Happy February from the gang here at Beartooth Flyfishing. It’s been a great winter so far here in the Madison Valley. The valley is full of Elk and Deer which makes for some fantastic winter photos and wildlife viewing. Snowpack has been building and at this moment we are sitting at 95%. Keep up with the prayers for more snow and moisture as we can use all we can get after the low flows of last season. We’ve been busy at the shop working on Preseason orders. Dan’s been busy building rods. We will have some exciting things to see for the upcoming season to be sure.

The Upper River has opened back up after its temporary closure due to Hebgen Dam Malfunction in late 2021. The Ice Jam is on in full force from Ennis Lake upstream through Ennis and the lower fishing access sites. Angling pressure has been very low this winter as many anglers have been voluntarily giving the river a break to continue to heal after last years incident at the Dam. We’ve had many calls wondering how the river is doing. And as of right now it’s the same Madison we’ve loved forever. Flows are looking good. 920 cfs at Hebgen, 1000 cfs at Kirby, and 1060 cfs at Cameron.

The actual fishing itself has been good to excellent for those who have made the choice to get out there. Nymphing has been good to excellent. Midge Pupae, Smaller Mayfly Nymphs, Serendipities, and Heavy Stonefly Nymphs have been getting the job done. February is typically the month where we really see the midge dry fly activity really kick into gear up in the Upper Wade Stretch around $3 Bridge and Raynold’s Pass. This year looks to be no different as we’ve even had some great midge days up there in the latter half of January with quite a few nicer blue bird days in the past couple weeks. Look for those days in the upper thirties and low forties with calmer winds and the dry fly fishing up there can be some of the best you’ll have throughout the year. Dead Drifting a Streamer has also been very effective at times. Anglers who have checked in with us at the shop are coming in with good to great reports which is so nice to hear after the events of late last year.

We at Beartooth thank all of you as always for all your support and kindness. As Spring begins to approach get those vices heated up and fill those boxes for another exciting Flyfishing Season in SW Montana in 2022. Our fly inventory right now is great. As always, we have all the bugs you could possibly need for a early outing to the Upper Madison. Be safe out there and Tight Lines!

Dries: Griffith’s Gnat #18-#22. Adams Midge Cluster #18-#20. Brook’s Midge Sprout Black #20. CDC Midge #20. Zelon Midge #20-#22. Parachute Adams #20-#22. Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-#20.

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince Std. and Flashback #8-#10. Delektable Guide Stone Black, Black/Brown #8-#10. Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Brown, Black/Brown #8-#12. Delektable Twinkle Black, Red, Rootbeer, Olive #18-#20. Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20. $3 Dips Brown, Red, Olive #16-#20. Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #16-#18. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Gold, Red, Pheasant Tail, Blue #16-#20. Delektable Tungsten Jig Spanker Silver, Red, Gold, Holo Olive, Holo Black, Pheasant Tail #18. Delektable Big Spanker Warrior #18.

Emergers: RS2 Gray, Black, Olive #18-#22.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double Olive, Black, White, Black/Olive. Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Black, Black/Olive, Olive, White. Sculpzilla Olive, Natural #4-#8. Zonkers Natural, Copper, Olive #6-#8. Bow River Bugger Olive, White, Black/Olive #6-#8.