Tag: Madision River Fly fishing

August 15th-August 21st 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Change is inevitable; from the weather, day to day activities, life and most importantly fishing!! The true test of any angler is their ability to change with the conditions presented to them. If fishing is challenging, change flies and change your presentation. Be creative!! As we are approaching the end of the summer hatches become smaller and with warmer temperatures hatches are best later in the day or early in the morning.

The weather this week was in the high 80’s with a small reprieve of rain and cooler temperatures by the end of the week. Stream flows this week were 1,200cfs at Kirby, 1,310cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week and a slight uptick by the end of the week to help combat rising water temperatures with flows sitting at 1,310cfs at Kirby, 1,460cfs at Cameron by Sunday.

Hoppers and Ants have made there way to water, the most productive action has been seen between McAtee and Ennis. Streamers and nymphing have been producing some very nice larger fish and lots of big smiles!

Dries: Grillo’s Hippie Stopper Royal, Purple #16-#18, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Delektable Flying Ant Purple #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive, Tan #16-#18, Fat Frank Peach #14, Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink, Tan #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink, Tan #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Micro Water Walker Pink, Tan #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Chubby Olive, Tan, Cinnamon, Royal, Rainbow #14-#18.

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Wire Worm Red #6-#8, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive Pheasant Tail #14-#18, Formerly Known as Prince #18, Pat’s Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Pheasant Tail, Olive, Red, Gold, Silver #14-#18, Crack Back Bullet Jig Hook Cream #16-#18, Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#18, BH Mo’ River Pheasant Tail #16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, BH Serendipity Rainbow, Dark Olive #14-#16.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple , White, Yellow, Olive #8, Yo Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive, Black #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive, White, Black #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural, Olive, Black, Yellow #6-#8.

August 2nd-August 7th | Upper Madison Fishing Report

As of August 2nd, Hoot Owl have begun from 8-Mile Fishing Access to Ennis Reservoir. This means fishing from 2PM to Midnight in this area is prohibited.

Fishing is hot and cold these days with the temps changing but fishing is always better than another day at work! 🙂 Conditions have been changing this week with the temperatures cooling from the mid 90’s the week prior to mid to high 80’s most of the week with a dramatic shift on Friday & Saturday to mid 70’s to mid 60’s and a massive rainstorm, additionally the “W” Factor in the Valley has returned with the incoming weather! To add to the changes this week NorthWestern Energy raised flows the end of last week to combat the rising temperatures, which has been successful into this week, and while you may have been rocking in the middle River last week you may want to stick to the banks as the fish tend to migrate to the slower water! The river flows this week started at 1,650cfs at Kirby and finished the week at 1,370cfs; at Cameron the week started with 1,890cfs and dropped down to 1,570cfs by the end of the week.

 

 

 

 

 

With the warmer temperatures this week fishing has been best in the early morning with Streamers (especially with a dropper), Nocturnals, Midges, and Tricos. During Mid-day there has been some action with a Chubby, Hopper, Ant or Beetle pattern. Nymphing has still been the most productive means of fishing throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

 

For the future we will continue to see warmer temperatures for the next few weeks with the promise of rain in the evenings! At Beartooth Flyfishing to adjust to the current weather conditions, our store hours will be 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM for the next few weeks!!

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Halo Olive, Silver, Pheasant Tail #16-#18, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten BH Big Spanker Warrior #14-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, Glassy Brassy Zebra Midge #20.

 

Dries: Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Parachute Adams Sparkle Purple #14-#16, Micro Water Walker Peanut #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Delektable Halo Royal #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Tan, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Rainbow #14-#18, Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive/Brown, UV Cinnamon #14-#16, Fat Frank Peach #14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Purple Cinnamon, Holo Olive #14-#18, Snowshoe Trico #20, Etha-Wing Trico Black #20.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Sheila Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Jtd Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive #6, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8.

July 18th-July 24th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Farewell Salmonflies and Goldenstones! While we hate to see you go, we wish your mating went well and we shall see your legacy in three summers time! The River flows this week at Kirby were 1,320cfs at the start of the week and 1,250cfs by Sunday. At Cameron  1,630cfs at the start of the week and 1,490cfs by the end. With the fade of the Dry Stonefly hatch we are seeing subsurface action be very productive! Nymphing and dead drifting Streamers on a tight line with a dropper have caught some whoppers! Caddis, PMD, and Yellow Sally hatches continue, with strong Caddis & PMD Spinner activity early am or late pm and more sporadic surface activity through the heat of the day. As temperatures start to rise this next week we are hopeful for the hopper season to fully kick off within the next couple weeks. In the mean time we have seen some nocturnal Stonefly activity from Ruby Creek to Varney and Ants have been producing some nice fish throughout the River!

 

 

 

 

 

We have been so blessed to get through these past couple years with all the challenges in the world and are very excited to once again have our special event in loving memory of Grandpa John Delekta, who each and every day made the world a better place. The Montana Hope Project Fundraiser had been an annual event for eight years and now we are back to host the event on Saturday and Sunday (July 30th and 31st). The importance of this event is to make a wish come true for the terminally ill, disease stricken, and special needs kids of Montana and their families. With help from the Montana Highway Patrol and many others, our hope is to create awareness and raise funds for a great cause. Please feel free to look further into the Montana Hope Project and how it began at www.montanahope.org. 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to make a donation but cannot attend the event, donations can be sent to the address below. Please note on your check “In Memory of John ‘Grandpa’ Delekta so there is no confusion this is a part of our fundraiser. You may also drop off your check or mail them to Beartooth Flyfishing with the same information.

The Montana Hope Project

PO Box 5927

Helena, MT 59604

We’d like to thank you in advance for your support and generosity! We will be providing a percentage of all our sales from July 30th and July 31st to the Montana Hope Project including shop purchases and phoned in orders.

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Hi-Vis Yellow Thunder Thighs Hopper #12-#14, Morrish Hopper Yellow #14, PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #14-#16, Parachute Adams #14-18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #14-#16, Delektable Chubbyness Olive/Brown, Cinnamon, Rootbeer, UV Purple, UV Pink #14-#16, Lil’ Hottie #14-#16, Delektable Teaser Purple, PMD, Adams #14-#16, Delektable Slammer Yellow, Cream #12-#14.

Nymphs: BH Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #16-#18, Psycho Prince GB Yellow, Purple #14-#18, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#18, BH Lemon Drop #14-#18, Crack Back Bullet Jig Hook Cream #16-#18, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Pheasant Tail, Blue, Olive Green, and Silver #14-#18, Delektable Guide Stone Olive Brown #8-#10.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer White Olive.Delektable Single and Double Screamer White, Olive, Black, Olive/White #8, Yo Dali Llama Olive/White, Tan/Natural #6, McCune’s Sculpin Olive #4, Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Natural #4, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6.

July 7th-July 17th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

“Incredible, Amazing, Spectacular, Trip of a Lifetime”; these are the words of anglers returning from another epic day on the Upper Madison this week! The Dog Days of Summer are here, high 70’s to high 80’s during the day, with some reprieve with late afternoon thunderstorms and rain. River temperatures have remained stable with cooler temperatures overnight (high 40s) and river flows have been steady 1,290cfs at Kirby and 1,600cfs at Cameron for the week.

 

 

 

 

 

Salmonflies and Goldenstones have continued to move up the River and are popping up around Three Dollar Bridge and Raynolds Pass. Fish are continuing to eat the Big Bugs lower between Lyons and McAtee and some reports of Fish still eating them all the way down to Varney. What an epic year for Dries this year and we will see it continue into Ants and Hoppers in the weeks ahead. Dries have been most productive in the early morning and late afternoon with on and off action during the heat of the day. Nymphs and Streamers have been productive all day and especially Varney to Ennis it would be a good bet to put on a Sculpin and strip for those 2 to 3 footers!!! We are open 7am to 7pm everyday and are here for all your fishing needs, especially swapping fish stories! Come on in for free dark roast coffee, air conditioning, smiling faces, sweet gear and ammo for your fishing adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dries:  Delektable Flying Ant Minimal Purple/ Cinnamon #16-#18, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #16, Para Sipper PMD #16, Delektable Chubbyness Cinnamon, Royal, Rootbeer #12-#16, Delektable Twisted X Yellow/Red, Tan #14-#16, Purple Haze Cripple #14-#16 ,Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #14-#16, Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16, Delektable Teaser Purple and PMD  #14-#16, Delektable Halo Royal, Tan #14-#16, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldenstone, UV Salmonfly, Orange #8-#12, Delektable Secret Stone UV Salmonfly #6-#8, Delektable Secret Stone UV Goldenstone #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness Goldrush #8-#12, Delektable Twisted Sister Salmonfly #6-#4.

Nymphs: Geppert’s Green Emerger Green #16-#18, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, Delektable Ranch PMD #18-#16, Delektable Lime Juice, Orange Juice Caddis Emerger #14-#16, Pat’s Rubberleggs Olive/Brown, Black/Brown #8-#10, Delektable Mega Prince Standard Flashback #8-#10, Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Pale Olive PMD #16-#18, Psycho Prince GB Yellow, Purple, Caddis Green #14-#18, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Purple #14-#20, Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Yellow/Peacock, Peacock #14-#18, Delektable Prince Brandon #14-#16, Formerly Known as Prince #16-#12, BH Tungsten Yellow Spot #16, Delektable Guide Stone Tan/Brown #12.

Streamers: Delektable Screamers SS/Double/Single Olive & White, Olive, Olive & Black, Brown & Yellow #8, Lady Gaga Rainbow #2, Zonker White #6-#8, Heavy Metal #6, Keller’s Montana Mouthwash Olive #6, Coffee’s Minow Smoke #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Yo Dali Llama Olive/White, Tan/Natural #6, Sculpzilla Olive/Tan, White, Olive #8-#4.

June 28th-July 3rd | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Flyfishing Fireworks are starting early here on the Madison with the arrival of the Salmonflies and Goldenstones! They first popped up from Ennis to Varney around the 28th and are slowly moving up the river throughout the week. The real showstopper has been the Caddis this week, primarily in the evenings. PMD’s have also been productive on top and as an Emerger under a Dry or behind a stone. Dry Fly fishing has been hit or miss depending on cloud cover and best in the evening and early morning. If you are committing to Dry Flies it is best to change frequently if your flies are not getting the attention they deserve! Nymphs and Streamers have been very productive still with Stones and all the varieties of Prince Nymphs ruling the day. With the drop of flows the middle of the river has been quite productive.

The River flows this week started at 1,500cfs at the beginning of the week and 1,240cfs at Kirby by the 3rd. At Cameron the flows were 2,400cfs on the 28th and progressively dropped through the week to 1,850cfs by the 3rd. Water clarity is still off color emerald green and clearing more and more everyday. The crew at Beartooth Flyfishing would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Safe and most importantly fun 4th of July Holiday!!

 

 

 

 

 

Dries: Delektable Chubbyness Olive/Brown, Rootbeer #12-#14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan #16-#14, Delektable Sparkle Bug Gray #18-#14, Paulson’s Golden Flutter Bug #10, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#12, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldush #12-#8, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #14-#16, Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16, Delektable Purple, PMD Teaser #14-#16, Delektable Halo Royal, Tan #14-#16, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldenstone, UV Salmonfly, Orange #8-#12, Delektable Secret Stone UV Salmonfly #6-#8, Delektable Secret Stone UV Goldenstone #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness Goldrush #8-#12, Delektable Twisted Sister Salmonfly #6-#4.

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #4-#8, Delektable BH Brown/Orange, Black/Orange Stoner #4-#8, Delektable Guide Stone Brown/Yellow, Black #6-#10, Delektable Mega Prince Standard #4-#6, BH Delektable Prince Brandon #10-#16, Formerly Known as Prince #12-#18, BH Lemon Drop #18-#14, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #20-#14, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Jighead Halo Green #18-#14, Delektable Mr. RubberLegs Hare’s Ear, Olive/Brown #12-#16, Delektable CDC Baby #14-#10, Delektable Rootbeer Float Gold, PMD Yellow #18-#14, Delektable Lemon Juice Yellow Sally #16-#14.

Streamers: Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Natural #4, Delektable Christmas Tree Original, Black, Olive #6, Delektable Screamer SS/Double/Single Olive/Black, Black, Yellow #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural #6, Trina’s Belly Dancer Olive #6, Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6, Sundell’s Bad Boy Olive #4.

June 21st – June 26th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Summer has officially begun; the Madison Valley has changed overnight! Runoff has begun to subside and the water is clearing up to a gorgeous dark/emerald green! We started the week with flows at 2,700cfs at Kirby, 4,500cfs at Cameron, 2,300cfs coming below the Hebgen Dam. On the 25th – 26th Northwestern Energy started to decrease flows by 30% each day to compensate for decrease of intake into Hebgen and keep as much water in the lake as possible for the hotter days to come. Flows by the 26th are 1,600cfs at Kirby, 2,600cfs at Cameron and 863cfs below the Hebgen Dam. We have continued to caution people about floating from Lyons to Pallisades regarding the Sun West Bridge and the Wolf Creek, especially earlier this week with the higher flows. Wolf Creek Bridge did have a log across the middle blocking through access from every spot except the far left or west side, however, we have heard reports that later this week the log is gone, and the bridge is passable.

As for the fishing, it is just getting better and better! As the water clears, flows lower Salmon Flies are going to appear just any day now! We have seen Bomber Caddis from Palisades down and there is surface and subsurface action occurring. Nymphs and Streamers have been predominately the most productive means of fishing this week and the usage of weight to get the flies to slow down and deep enough for the fish to snap it! We have changed our hours this week as of the 24th to 7am-7pm everyday! In closing, as always, the pictures tell the best story!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #12-#16, Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Yellow, Peacock #14-#16, BH Shop Vac Olive #16-#18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Silver #14-#16, BH Jig Hook Pearl Lighting Bug #16, Formerly Known as Prince #12-#16, Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #4-#8, Delektable Balanced Flashback Olive Mega Prince #10, Delektable Balanced Flashback Hurless Stone #10, Delektable Balanced Stonefly Candy UV Sparkle Goldenstone #10, Delektable CDC Baby #12-#14.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Double/SS/Single Yellow, Yellow/Olive, Black #8, Delektable Christmas Tree Original, Black, Olive/ Yellow #8, Trevor’s Sculpin Olive #4, Zonker Yellow, Olive #6, Double Bunny Yellow/Money #2, Yo Dali Llama Olive/Black #4.

Dries: Delektable Twisted Sister Brown #10-#12, Delektable Chubbyness UV Purple, Rootbeer #12, Delektable Halo Royal, Tan #14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan #14, Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan #14.

June 13th | Upper Madison Runoff Report

Here in the Madison Valley Mother Nature has decided it can’t hold back the big part of runoff any longer. As of this morning the Kirby station is at 2,460 cfs and the Cameron station is reading 5,100 cfs. At these flows it is not safe to float between Lyon’s Bridge and Palisades fishing access sites. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET BENEATH THE SUN WEST AND WOLF CREEK BRIDGES! We have also just been notified by Northwestern Energy that they will begin to increase flows out of the Dam today to bring the Kirby station up to 3,500 cfs and keep the flow consistent at that level for the next several days. So expect the Cameron station to jump another 1,000 cfs give or take as well. These higher flows will make fishing tough as we approach peak runoff. There will not be much need to get into the water. Fish will be pushed into the banks and it’s going to be a nymphing and streamer game until things begin to subside. The Upper Madison is a challenging river to row at normal flows. With the expected higher flows please be careful out there and if you don’t have a lot of big water rowing experience it’s best to leave the boat at home right now. It only takes one mistake in big water and you can find yourself in a lot of trouble. Be smart and most of all be safe out there. Call our shop at 406-682-7525 if you have any questions to help you plan your fishing experience.

Nymphs: Delektable Guide Stone Black, Black/Brown #4-#8. Delektable Mega Prince Flashback #4-#8, Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #4-#8. Delektable Worm Red, Pink, #12. Wire Worms #8-#10. Prince Nymphs #12-#16. Formerly Known as Prince #12-#16. Lightning Bugs #12-#16. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Red, Blue, #12-#16. Delektable Jig Hook Spanker Silver, Holo Black, PMD Pale Olive, #12-#18.

Streamers: Delektable Single Screamer White, Black, Olive, Yellow, Black/Olive #6. Delektable Double Screamer Black/Olive, White, Brown/Yellow #8. Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black/Olive, White. Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Smoke, Sculpin, JJ #6. Galloup’s Dungeon Black/Olive Barred. Galloup’s Silk Kitty Black,White, Tan/White. Bow River Bugger White #6. Zonkers White, Natural, Yellow #6.

May 23rd- May 29th Upper Madison Fishing Report

The first signs of Runoff have hit the Valley. However, it has been slow and gentle so far.  Inconsistent weather conditions in the Valley have continued throughout this week. The River is showing a distinct striping from the West Fork down. Further towards Varney and into Town we are seeing a complete off-color River. This happens to be perfect for fishing bigger Stoneflies and Nymphs, flashier droppers with larger diameter Tippet. Above the West Fork we have started to see Fish stacking up in holes and the Streamer Slinging has started to be productive!! We have had reports of 20-30 fish days on the Streamer, Slingers’ your time has arrived! The River started the week at Kirby at 650 cfs and gradually rose through the week to 1,080 cfs; at Cameron we saw a similar trend with the water at 860 cfs early in the week and it ended at 1,820 cfs. We are seeing this influx of water coming from our tributaries (West Fork, Indian Creek, Wolf Creek, Cabin Creek, Beaver Creek, Standard Creek, Moose Creek & Sheep Creek) rather from Hebgen Lake. We are very grateful to have a dedicated dam operators that are doing all that they can to conserve as much water as possible at Hebgen to keep our beloved Madison with healthy flows all Summer long! The weather that we have had this April & May has really been a life saver, we are currently sitting at 130% snowpack!! This coming week we should be seeing more rain and mid 60-degree weather, however with the cooler nights we are predicting to see a continuation of this week’s water conditions and continued fishable water!! Come see us and let us help you with your bug selection and gear, and we provide Free delicious Dark Roast Coffee and chat about Epic Fishing Days!!!

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #6-#8, Delektable Hurless Stone Grey or Olive FB #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver/Pheasant Tail #12-#16, BH 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, Delektable Stonefly Candy UV Brown/Gold #4-#8, Pat’s Rubberleg Brown or Black #4-#8, Tungsten BH Jiggy Blow Torch #14-#16, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Jighead Halo Green #14, Delektable Worm Red #8, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6.

Dries: Delektable Mega2Tone 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 or Double Olive, Yellow, Black, or Spawning #8, Zonker Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive #8, Sparkle Minnow Fish Skull Black #8, Slump Buster Black #8.

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.