Salmonflies Archives - Beartooth Flyfishing

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.

July 4th-July 10th | Upper Madison Fishing Report

Happy Independence Day!!! Come and celebrate your freedom amongst the Madison Valley’s Purple Majesties and fish, FISH HARD because you earned it!! We want to send a Big Thank You on this holiday week to our brave Service Members and Health Care Workers, thank you for keeping us safe and protecting our home!

The Fireworks that started last week have continued this week; Golden Stones, Salmonflies, Yellow Sallies, Caddis and PMDs are here, and the fish are chowing down! Early Morning and late afternoon/evening have been the most consistent Dry Fly action with off and on action mid-day. Dry Flies fished in tandem with a dropper Dry or a dropper Nymph has been the ticket. And for those of you who love fishing those Nymphs, never fear as the Nymphing in the middle of the river has been on fire. Flows starting this week at Kirby were 1,330cfs and dropping by the 10^th to 1,250cfs, at Cameron 1,970cfs the beginning of the week and dropping to 1,660cfs by the 10^th. We have had some beautiful weather this week hanging in the high 70’s to low 80’s with some scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Looking to the next week we will most likely see the continuation of amazing Dry Fly fishing and big smiles from happy fisherman! In closing to truly show you the proof of the week, just check out those smiles!

Dries: Delektable Chubbyness Olive/Brown, Rootbeer, Little Yellow Stone #12-#14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan #14-#16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Gray #14-#18, Paulson’s Golden Flutter Bug #10, Dornan’s Water Walker Peanut #8-#10, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush #8-#12, 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, Parachute Yellow Sally #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, Delektable Twisted X Yellow with Red Butt #14-#16, Delektable Twisted Baby Brown #10-#12, Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Cinnamon #14-#16.

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 #14-#18, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #14-#18, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Jig Hook Holo Green #14-#18, Delektable Mr. RubberLegs Hare’s Ear, Olive/Brown #12-#16, Delektable CDC Baby #10-#14, Delektable Rootbeer Float Gold, PMD Yellow #14-#18, Delektable Lemon Juice Yellow Sally, Lime Juice #14-#16.

Streamers: Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Natural #4, Delektable Christmas Tree Original, Black, Olive #6, Delektable Screamer SS/Double/Single Olive/Black, Black, Yellow, Olive/White #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural #6, Trina’s Belly Dancer Olive #6, Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6, Urchin Bugger JJ #6, Sex Dungeon Black, Olive/Black #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 28^th 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 3^rd. At Cameron the flows were 2,400cfs on the 28^th and progressively dropped through the week to 1,850cfs by the 3^rd. 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 4^th 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 20 – June 21st | Big Hole River Fishing Report

Salmonflies, Goldenstones are on in the Mighty Big Hole!!! It has moved quickly through the lower River and there is more action up high. The River is running higher but clear on the 20^th and 21^st at 4,200 cfs from Divide to Melrose. Most active place to catch during the higher water was found behind the islands on the banks and deep in the willows in the soft patches of water. The Salmonflies were prolific, but the fish were eating the Goldenstone far over the Salmonfly. As we move further through the week expect water to start dropping and as the Stones start to fade away look for the Caddis in the willows and go and catch yourself a BIG Big Hole Brown!

Dries: Dornan’s Water Walker Peanut #10-#12, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush #10, Delektable Secret Stone Salmonfly #8, Delektable Secret Stone UV Goldenstone #10, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Salmonfly #8.

Streamers: BH Dude Friendly Black/Yellow #8, Zonker Yellow or Olive #6, Delektable Screamer Single/Double Yellow, Black/Olive, Olive/Yellow #6.

May 24th, 2022 Henry’s Fork Fishing Report

Some of the Beartooth Family got to play hooky in search of Salmon Flies on the Henry’s Fork from Warm River to Ashton ANNNNNNNDD… too early!!! We spotted a handful of Salmon Flies but just not enough in the air to get the fish to bite, we tried! The River is running at 1,320cfs a little off color but definitely lower flows on Tuesday. We experienced a cooler upstream wind for most of the day and varying overcast and sunny conditions. The Fish gave us a challenge regarding what they wanted to eat. As we were inclined to give dries the most attention; there were Midges, Blue-Winged Olives and Caddis Hatches, however the Fish wanted the Subsurface Nymphs. We did see a few rises throughout the day however our Flies were snubbed. We were still able to catch some good Fish, the photos tell the rest of the story.

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberleg Brown #4, Delektable Stonefly UV Brown/Gold #6, Formerly Known As Prince #14 & #16, BH Delektable Prince Brandon #12 & #14, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail #14 & #16.

Streamers: Delektable Stainless Steel Jtd Screamer Olive/White, Black, Yellow #6, Delektable Christmas Tree Original, Olive, Black #6, Zonker Black #8, Bloom’s Zig Hook Zirdle Olive/Orange #10.

June 19th – 25th|Madison River Fishing Report

Welcome to SUMMER!!!

Our wonderful summer has started with a MASSIVE grand opening thanks to our great friends and flawless family the SALMON FLIES, GOLDEN STONES, Caddis flies, and May flies. The weather is ideal for fishing. So it is time to ditch those waders and boots and go for the river sandals and wet wade. The river is flowing out of Hebgen Dam at a CFS of 1280 and 1820 CFS at Kirby. The river is crystal clear on the upper sections; the runoff is gone and the fish can see everything. The river is still a touch above normal but not overflowing onto the banks, making them very walkable again. THE TIME FOR FISHING IS NOW!!

How would I approach the river you may ask? Great question, and I bet you can guess on your first try. Yup! Dry fly season is here; come one and all! Everyone is invited to the spectacle that is dry fly fishing, with the best of all the dry fly circus spectacles here, the Salmon flies. If you want to see monster eats and toilet-bowl flushes , start with the Delektable Chubbyness Little Yellow Stone #14-16, Dan’s Secret Salmon #6, Delektable Secret Goldenstone #6, and Delektable Mega 2-Tone Chubbyness Orange #6. These have been our best produces for those fat U Boats (Brown Trout). At the same time, Caddis flies have been equally crushing some serious U Boats, as the BOMBER Caddis are hatching along the whole river. Trust me the caddis are bombing the water kamakaze style and giving fish their life. Our personal best and favorite dries for these are the Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis olive, holographic olive, and tan #14, Delektable Twisted X Tan/Brown, Purple #14, Bloom’s Parachute Caddis Dark Olive #14, and the Delektable Twisted Sister Tan/Brown #14.

These fish are still wreaking havoc under the surface. Since the arrival of the Salmon flies, the stonefly nymphs have been providing large numbers of quality fish. Caddis and Mayfly nymphs have been doing just as great. The small dropper is like a great cheese with your cheese
burger; but this cheese burger is meant to be feed to fish and get that perfectly bent rod. Our favorite “cheeses” are the Delektable Stoner #6, Pat’s Rubber Legs #8, Delektable Mega Prince with and without flash #6, Delektable CDC Baby #12-16, Psycho Prince Yellow #14-16, Shop Vac #16-18, Delektable Sure Strike Peacock and Yellow/Peacock #14-16, Lightning Bug in pearl, purple, and silver #16, Delektable Lil’ Spanker in PT, silver, and gold #14-16, and Delektable Hammer Head Prince #14-16.

As for the steak bite, a.k.a., the streamer bite, that has slowed down quite a bit. The great news, however, is that our great leader NANCY has figured out a pattern that works and that is our other great leader’s pattern the Delektable Badger Screamer.

This is how we have been catching fish throughout the day; if you follow these rules surely you’ll have that necessary grin on your face and the rod tip bent towards a fish. Now go out, have fun, enjoy the view and river, and most of all catch fish.

May 29th|Henry’s Fork River Fishing Report

June 7th 2016| Big Hole River Fishing Report

This week called for a change of scenery as Dan, Marty, Will and Emmett headed up to the Big Hole to fish the Salmon Fly hatch and Golden Stones. Fishing on the Big Hole the past two weeks has been great. Clarity and river flow have been ideal for the hatch and those fishing have had big trout to show for it.

Will and local guide Nick Argyrakis with his sister Lia floated the 11-mile drift from East bank to Jerry Creek. It was Will’s 21^st birthday so a celebratory drink or two was in order to start of the day. Weather conditions were just about perfect. Since the salmon fly hatch was on, it only made sense to start with a Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UVSalmon Fly #8 with a Goldenstone Tungsten Bead #8 following. It was important to find the willows and fish your dry right under and beside the grassy banks. Other recommended flies that worked that day were; Delektable Secret Stone Royal size #8, Delektable Chubbyness Little Yellow Stone size #16, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Pheasantail #16 and Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Hare’s Ear #16. Overall it’s hard to beat cold beer on the river, great conditions and fish in the boat.

Dan, Marty, and Emmett got away on the same day to the Big Hole to fish the big dries. They did a double float from East Bank down to Divide. Everything was hatching, but there was only an occasional rise for a natural dry. Remember you can cast blindly with a dry, and get a rise by teasing the fish with a fly. There were some, but not too many big bugs out on the upper part of the float. We did not see any in the canyon. The fish were mostly eating the Delektable Secret Stone, and the Mega 2Tone Chubbyness. It took time and effort to get the fish to bite, but it was totally possible to do. Some of the group were twitching their flies, while others were just dead-drifting them. Most of the fish were biting in the slow water near the banks, and in the buckets. They caught many different species of fish including Rainbows, Whitefish, Cutthroats, Brown Trout, and Brookies.

Emmett & Will

March 11, 2016| Madison River Fishing Report

I just had to take advantage of the Upper Madison being open year round again. The wind being low and temperatures in the 50’s; time to grab my wading staff and sample some deeper buckets. The flies that caught fish included: Delektable Flashback Mega Prince #8; Delektable Flashback Gray and Purple Hurless both #8; Delektable Flashback Mega Prince Olive #8; and of course Delektable Soft Hackle Red Worm #8.

The bite was sweet in the deeper buckets around boulders. Two guide boats past me floating from Windy Point to McAtee. The four clients seemed pretty happy to be out on a nice day. My personal mission is to fish at least one day a week the rest of the year.

Go Fishing when you can…..

Dan