Tag: Madison river fishing report

April 1st – 14th | Madison River Fishing Report

We’re getting used to the spring weather and all the fishing opportunities that come with it. It’s a great time to get out and fish before the water comes up for a while. We enjoyed kicking off the season with a group from Nueva High School’s biology program.

The fishing has been great and they’re moving from their winter lies to some of the quicker water and have been eating a bigger variety of bugs. Delektable Mr. Rubberlegs, Delektable Epoxybacks, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Worms, Eggs, Pheasant Tails, and Copper John’s are all good choices for under the old bobber.

 

 

 

 

 

The streamer bite has been picking up but they still want it to be moving really slow. The Delektable Single Screamer in Black/Olive, Sheila’s Sculpin, McCune’s Sculpin and Zonkers are all good options.

The dry fly action has been inconsistent but we’ve seen a few Skwalla Stoneflies around and there are still plenty of midges out. Blind fishing a small chubby has convinced a few fish to come up to the surface and a dropper nymph never hurts while looking for an early season dry fly bite. The midge patterns remain the same with Griffith’s Gnat’s, Sipper Midges and CDC Midges being our top picks.

We’ll be in the shop from 8:30-5:30 every day so call or stop in with any good fish stories or questions about the river.

March | Madison River Fishing Report

 

 

Spring has arrived in the Madison Valley and boy does that feel good after the February we all had. We were too cold to fish in February which is rare for us so no February report. Now most of our access sites have melted out enough to drive in and to get boats in and out; everything from Lyon’s bridge to Burnt Tree Hole is good to go. It’ll be some time still before we see the ramps at Ennis or Valley Garden but there are plenty of places to get out and enjoy the river. Some places like Three Dollar Bridge still have snow to walk through so be careful.

The fishing has been great all the way through the month of March. Most fish are being caught on nymphs. Stuff like Delektable Mega Princes, Delektable Hurless Stones, Delektable Stonefly Candy, Delektable Epoxy Back, Delektable Surestrike, Delektable Lil Spankers, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Midge Pupas are all good choices. My best advice is to experiment with your amount of weight before changing flies too fast. On the Stone fly patterns size #8 has been better.

With that being said, the dry fly bite has been great as well if you find yourself in the right place at the right time. The midges start in the early afternoon and if it’s not too windy they’ll last into the evening. Griffith’s Gnats, CDC Midges, Small Adams and Sipper Midges should do the job.

Streamer fishing has been inconsistent but if you’re willing to work for them you’re likely to get into a few good fish. The slower the retrieve the better; Sparkle Minnows, Zonkers, Delektable Screamers and JR’s Coneheads have all seen some attention from the local trout over the last couple weeks.

Varney Bridge is officially closed to through traffic as construction for replacing the bridge has begun. The fishing access site and boat ramp are still accessible but you’ll have to get there from the highway side via the dirt road as you won’t be able to get across from the other side. For construction updates text “VARNEY” to 22828 or call (406)-465-3350.  

We’re in the shop from 8:30am to 5:30pm every day so call or stop in with any questions we may be able to help with.  

January | Madison River Fishing Report

January has been a cold month and we are glad to see it leave as it means we are one month closer to Summer. With that being said, January did pose some great fishing if you were able to take advantage of the rare days with warm enough weather. Even Dan himself braved a very pleasant day in January. The river was predictably stable with about 1,000 cfs flowing at the Kirby gauge. The fishing has pretty much been the same game as December, Nymphs being number one and Dries working on select days. The river is starting to look very slushy down towards Ennis.

The nymph game is working well, we have mainly been only using Stoneflies but you could also you use Midge patterns to the same effect. The flies we have been using are Delektable balanced Flashback Mega Princes, Delektable Standard Flashback Mega Princes, Delektable Hurless Stones, Delektable Stonefly Candy, Delektable Twinkles, and Zebra midges.

The dry fly bite has taken a while to come back but can at those times when you see clear blue skies or cloudy over cast conditions coupled with the important part which is less or no “W”. Know that the midges will be hatching in full force and the fish will be looking at the surface of the water to eat them alive. The flies we have been using are the Griffith’s Gnat, Adams Midge, R.B. Midge, and Galloup’s Goober Midge. You could also try a Delektable Teaser pattern in Adam’s or Purple.

It has been easy fishing but it hasn’t been easy weather. So if you are part the brave few put on those waders with plenty of layers underneath and find some eager trout in the river. 

October 1st – 21st | Madison River Fishing Report

Well it’s the same old song and dance here on the Upper Madison as fly selections, water flows and even the weather has been pretty consistent over the past few weeks. That consistency may not make for a very exciting latest fishing report but it’s kind of nice to not have to dig through the fly boxes trying to figure out what they’re eating every other day.

Under the surface we’re still mostly running size #18 and #20 mayfly nymphs like Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Delektable Big Spankers, Delektable Ranch BWOs, RS2’s, WD-40s, Zebra Midges and Lightning Bugs. Smaller (#8 or #10) stonefly nymphs are picking up fish here and there as well as Worms and October Caddis Nymphs.

Streamer fishing has picked up some and word on the street is fish are starting to chase after bigger flies a little more aggressively. Delektable Double Screamers, Sex Dungeons, Sundell’s Bad Boy, Zuddlers, Mini Loops and Trevors Sculpins are all good choices. Colors of choice can vary with the weather so make sure you’ve got a bit of a variety.

Dry fly fishing is still pretty good in the later part of the day. Purple Crazes, Olive Comparaduns or a Parachute Adams should get the job done for the BWOs and Baetis. October Caddis dries can bring some nice fish to the surface as well; a larger Goddard Caddis or Delektable Twisted X in orange will suffice for that hatch.

September 17th – 23rd | Madison River Fishing Report

Water flow has dropped a tad since last week’s report, below Hebgen we’re running at about 940 c.f.s. and the gauges at Kirby and Varney are both reading right around 1,000 c.f.s. The small Baetis and Blue Wing Olives have become the name of the game as fall has begun to set in, along with the streamers of course.

Early mornings have been tougher so most of us have been starting the day around 9 or 10 o’clock. Small Baetis and BWO nymphs have been the most productive. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Lightning Bugs, Hogan’s S and Ms, Micro Mays, and Princes are our top flies for the week, all in sizes #18 and #20. Occasionally #16’s too. Try trailing one behind a streamer.

The streamer fishing is getting better by the day and we’ve seen some quality fish come on the meaty flies. Stuff like Delektable Screamers, Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, JR’s Coneheads and Trevor’s Sculpins are all good choices to look for that big brown we’re all after.Dry fly fishing has been tougher to find but keep an eye on the slack waters for fish taking BWOs. It will be tough to beat a #18 Purple Craze or Parachute Adams to match that hatch and you may be able to coach a couple fish up with October Caddis patterns like Delektable Twisted Xs or a PMX. If that’s the type of fishing you seek, the upper wade section would probably be the place for you.

For any other tips or advice call or stop by the shop anytime between 8:00am and 6:30pm, we’re always glad to help!

September 10th – 16th | Madison River Fishing Report

Water flow is down to about 960 cubic feet per second below Hebgen Lake, 1,020 at Kirby and 1,010 down at Varney Bridge. Day time temperatures in the 60’s have put a damper on the grasshopper fishing but the cooler weather brings other types of fishing opportunities.

Attractor dries and smaller flies are picking up some fish off the surface. Small caddis patterns like Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis and the Delektable Twisted X have been doing the trick as well as the Delektable Royal Chubbyness’ and Yeager’s 409’s on the attractor side of things.

Nymph fishing is becoming the way to get numbers once again, especially earlier in the day while it’s cooler then later in the afternoon again. Our best flies have been Small Princes, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Serendipities and Shop Vacs.

The streamer bite is showing improvement but it will most likely be a couple weeks before it really turns on. We’ve seen some nice fish come on Delektable Double Screamers, McCune’s Sculpins, Zonkers, Sculpzillas and Bow River Buggers. Dead drifts with a couple twitches here and there seem to be getting more attention than faster strips.

Starting September 17th we’ll be opening a bit later due to daylight hours changing. Our new store hours will be 7:30am to 7:00pm every day. Our hours will change again with the sunlight changing.

September 3rd – 9th | Madison River Fishing Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw about a 100 cubic feet per second drop in flow on Thursday but by now the fish have settled back into things. Cooler night time temps coming up mean that if you want to fish hoppers you should think about getting a later start as the grasshoppers move around more in the heat.

Dry fly fishing has continued to keep folks happy and produce solid fish. We’re starting to see some Caddis and Blue Wing Olive hatches throughout the river as well as terrestrial fishing we’ve grown used to. Our best bugs have been Delektable Chubbyness’, Delektable Twisted X, Delektable Flying Ants, Delektable Halos, Bloom’s Stealth Ant, Morrish Hoppers, Yeager’s 409 and Purple Crazes.

The nymph bite has been excellent with a good variety of patterns getting the job done. Top picks are Delektable Hammerheads, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Serendipities, Wire Worms, Prince Nymphs, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Pat’s Rubberlegs’ and Psycho Princes.

Streamer fishing has been typical, meaning you’re not going to be hooking them left and right but you are likely to get a couple nice ones. We’ve gotten good fish on Black Delektable Double-Screamers, Olive McCune’s Sculpins, Black Sculpzillas and Olive Mini-Loops.

August 27th – September 2nd | Madison River Fishing Report

Well flows are holding steady as they usually do this time of year. The fish are eating a bit of everything these days and as Summer winds down there’s no better time to take advantage of good weather and good fishing.

We’ll start with dry flies because they’re fun. Not much has changed in this area with focus remaining on grasshoppers and ants with some other attractors bringing them out as well. Our favorite dries this week are the Triple Decker Hopper, Yeager’s Hopper, Grillo’s Pool Toy, Dave’s Hopper, Delektable Flying Ants, Delektable Chubbyness’ and Purple Crazes.

The streamer fishing has been rewarding for those of us willing to go under the surface. Delektable Double Screamers especially in black/olive, McCune’s Sculpin, Sheila’s Sculpin, Fish-Skull Sparkle Minnows, and Sculpzillas have all had their moments of glory lately. I’d recommend getting out a bit earlier if you’re wanting to streamer fish and later in the afternoon for the dries.

Bead-heads are still catch fish, and they do it pretty well believe it or not. We’ve been getting ‘em on Psycho Princes, Formerly Known as Princes, Delektable Hammerheads, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Worms and Lightning Bugs.

 

We’re still in the shop 7AM-7PM every day so call or stop in anytime, we’re glad to answer any questions and help any way we can and keep an eye out for upcoming weekly fishing reports!

August 13th – 19th | Madison River Fishing Report

Flows are pretty consistent with last week’s report, we’re sitting at 1,160 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake, 1,230 c.f.s. at Kirby and 1,240 c.f.s. down at Varney. We’re looking forward to the predicted cooler air temps over the next couple of days to put the fires down and keep the fish happy.

The hopper bite has been pretty darn good in the afternoons. Ants and some attractor patterns have also been fishing well. Our top recommended dry flies are Mongo Hoppers, Panty Dropper Hoppers, Yeti Hoppers, Bloom’s Stealth Ant, Delektable Flying Ants, Delektable Secret Stones in smaller sizes, Delektable Chubbyness’ and Purple Hazes.

 

The nymphs have been fishing well; especially earlier in the mornings before the terrestrials start moving around. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Delektable Hammerheads, Formerly Known as Princes, Lightning bugs, Serendipities and Pat’s Rubberlegs have all been getting some nice fish out there.

Streamers are picking up some nice fish especially earlier and later in the day, and trailing a little nymph behind a big meaty fly is a good call during the heat of the day. We’ve had success on Copper bodied Zonker, Olive Trevor’s, Sheila’s Sculpins, Delektable Screamers, Conehead JR’s and Zuddlers.

 

It’s been an awesome August thus far for the fishing on the Upper Madison so if you have the chance you better take advantage! Stay tuned for more reports and be sure to stop in or call the shop with any questions or fishing stories!

August 6th – 12th | Madison River Fishing Report

Firstly, a big thanks to all the firefighters throughout the west and in our back yard for doing all they can to keep us safe! The Monument and Wigwam Fires are nearby and we are watching closely. Now for the fishing, the river is flowing at 1,160 c.f.s. below Hebgen, 1,240 at Kirby and 1,270 down at Varney Bridge.

The streamer fishing is as good as it’s been in weeks. We’re seeing a lot more fish moving for big flies and committing to eating. Mini Loops, Trevor’s Sculpins, Circus Peanuts, Zonkers and Delektable Screamers would be our top picks.

Dry flies have continued to be the preferred technique for most folks with hoppers leading the charge. We’re still getting some action on Purple Crazes and Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis in the evening but terrestrials have been more consistent throughout the day. You have a good chance of getting a few fish on flies like Delektable Slammers, Delektable Chubbyness, Delektable Secret Stones, Dornan’s Water Walkers, Yeti Hoppers, Delektable Flying Ants and Dave’s Hoppers.

The Bead-Head bite is about as consistent as you’d expect from the Upper Madison but maybe a bit overlooked by the killer dry fly action. Delektable Hammerheads, Delektable Big and Lil’ Spankers, Electric Caddis, Lightning Bugs, Shop Vacs, Copper Johns and Pat’s Rubberlegs are all good choices.

Call us at 406-682-7525 or stop in the shop for any additional tips or info on fishing the Upper Madison and as always, keep an eye out for more up to date reports in the future.