Tag: Summer Fishing

September 12th-September 18th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Montana FWP are conducting their Fall Shocking of the Upper Madison River on the following dates:

Pine Butte: September 8th, 9th, 12th and September 19th-September 21st

Varney: September 14th-16th and September 22nd, 23rd and 26th

Epic beginning Fall Fishing Days are being hailed through out the shop here at Beartooth Flyfishing! While it may be tough going for some and fantastic fishing for others; the trend for productivity seems to be timing, flies, location, and a little luck (which can be said always for fishing!).  Cooler Fall Temperatures have brought back Wader and Gore-Tex fashion, revived and fresh faces that had been drained from the heat and a “Old Man River” spirit of reflection and Peace have swept through the valley. How lucky are we to live and work in such a special place and have a fishing community that supports each other and tirelessly works on protecting this very treasured River and Valley for generations to come! A huge shout out to our all flyfishing friends, neighbors, and guests of our home! Thank you for all your support and love!

Some epic Dry Fly days have been spoken of between Ruby Creek and Ennis this week. We are seeing Hoppers, size #16 Caddis, and Ants. Keep an eagle eye on your flies as the bigger Trout have been coming up very subtly and if you’re not paying attention, you may lose out!! Additionally, the rumor on the River is Streamers are producing large trout, very large trout!! Streamflow’s have stayed at an even keel this week, 875cfs at Kirby and 1,050cfs at Cameron.

For the weeks ahead look to the banks and skies for BWOs, October Caddis and Ants (which are covering the banks getting the last of Summer’s harvest). If you’re in a pinch and can’t seem to get the action you deserve; Leeches and darker colored (claret, maroon, dark red) Worms may help you out!

Dries: Delektable Chubbyness Olive Brown, Royal, UV Cinnamon #12-#16; Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16; BWO-Para Sipper #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Pink, UV Tan, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Rainbow #14-#18; Mirco Water Walker Pink #14; Purple Haze Cripple #16-#18; Delektable BWO Squeezer #18-#20; Q’s Loopy Cripple Stacker BWO #18; Delektable Twisted Sister Purple, Tan/Brown #12-#14; Purple Haze Split-Wing Parachute #14-#16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Holo Olive, Purple #16-#18; CFO FPA Copper/Black #16; and Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Tan, Pink #10-#14.

Nymphs: Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; Geppert’s Master Emerger #16-#18; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #16-#18; BH Mo River Pheasant Tail #18-#20; Jig Hook Iron Lotus #16-#18; JuJu Baetis Flashback Purple #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Silver, Red, Pheasant Tail, Blue #16-#20; Tungsten BH Jiggy Blow Torch #14-#18; Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Black, Olive/Brown #10-#12; Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Yellow/Peacock #16-#18; Delektable BH Prince Brandon #14-#18; RS2 Olive #18-#20; Delektable Mr. RubberLegs Brown Stone #10; Delektable Jig Head Spanker Holo Black, Holo Olive #18; and SBH Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20.

Streamers: Yo Dali Llama Olive/White #6; Trina Belly Dancer #6; Silky Kitty Olive, Black #6; Sundell’s Bad Boy Olive #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; Coffee’s Sparkle Jig Smoke, Purple #1; Sculpzilla Olive/White, White, Black #4-#8; Shelia Sculpin #4; Delektable Single/Double/SS Olive/White, Black/Olive, Purple/Black, Black, White, Yellow #6; and BH Flashabugger Black #8.

September 5th – September 11th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As of Saturday September 10th, Hoot Owl has been lifted on the Lower Madison River.

Montana FWP are conducting their Fall Shocking of the Upper Madison River on the following dates:

Pine Butte: September 8th, 9th, 12th and September 19th-September 21st

Varney: September 14th-16th and September 22nd, 23rd and 26th

Fall Glory is peeking its beautiful head out this week and what a welcome relief!! We started the week out with temperatures in the low 90’s but by Thursday we dipped down into the low 70’s to low 60’s during the day. We saw large wind gusts in the Valley late this week which brought some rainy weather with it cooling and reviving the parched Prairie. Additionally, this week we saw a change in Streamflow’s as the weather cooled, at Kirby we started the week at 1,070cfs with a drop mid-week down to 930cfs; at Cameron we started the week at 1,150cfs with a drop mid-week down to 1,020cfs.

So, what do all these changes mean for the Fishing? The Big Trout are hunting for late Season Flies & Fish, hunting hard! Will your Fly be the one they set their sights on? Let’s hope so! The Dry Fly scene is dwindling daily, however, there still has been an on and off Hopper bite, very consistent Ant action, a plethora of Dragonfly hatches and the first few sightings of Fall Baetis.  A Hopper and small bead head or Ant dropper, Streamer with quick initial twitch/strip and straight Nymphing with smaller Stonefly and smaller bead heads have all been productive ways to catch fish this week.

For this coming week we will see some warmer temperatures, mid 80’s, returning for a few days and then cooling off to the low 70’s to low 60’s with a promise of rain. Grab your streamer box, Gore-Tex and thermos and prepare for that 2-footer to emerge from the depths and grab your fly!!!

Dries: White Cloud Hopper Tan, Peach, Olive #12-#14; Dornan’s Water Walker Pink #12; Transparent Ant Black/Red #16; Delektable Flying Ant Cinnamon, Red, Black, Purple #14-#18; Micro Water Walker Peanut #16; Delektable Royal Munchkin #16-#20; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Olive, Rainbow, UV Cinnamon, Royal #14-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive Brown, UV Cinnamon, UV Purple #14-#16; and Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Halo Green, Purple #16-#18.

 

 

 

 

                        Nymphs: Geppert’s Crystal Dip Olive, Red, Black #18; Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #16-#18; JH BH Iron Lotus #16-#18; Formerly Known As Prince #16-#18; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Pheasant Tail, Gold, Blue, Red, Olive Green, Purple #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleggs Black/ Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #8-#14; Lightning Bug Gold, Silver, Purple #18-#20; Geppert Mega Emerger #16-#18; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #18-#20; and RS2 Olive #28-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8; Galloup’s Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8; Heavy Metal #6; Bow River Bugger Olive #8; Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8; Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8; Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4; Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6; and BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

August 29th-September 4th 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Is it hot or is it not? As we look across the world, heat is ravaging many parts of it in a very challenging way. And yes, we are most certainly feeling it here, but heat can be relative especially while speaking to our wayward travelers visiting our beautiful valley. We are blessed to have a short window of “hot” weather followed by cool evenings and mornings! We are also blessed to have guaranteed river flows and a team of people performing daily monitoring of our river and adjusting flows to help protect our treasured resource! This week and next week we will continue to see temperatures in the high 80’s to low 90’s but this can significantly help with Hopper and Ant fishing during the warmest parts of the day!!

Last week Streamflow’s were 1,070cfs at Kirby and 1,180cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week, a midweek it was increased to 1,200cfs at Kirby and 1,300cfs at Cameron and then a drop to 1,070cfs at Kirby and 1,210cfs at Cameron by the end of the week. With the up and down changes in flows it can change where fish have been eating, while it is lower you will see more action throughout the river but with a rise you may start to see more action into the banks and in slower water.

This coming week we should see continued Ant and Hopper fishing, September Stone activity (Dry and Subsurface) and Trout are putting on their feedbags for the long winter approaching, so get out there and serve them something tasty!!!

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16; Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16; Fat Frank Peach, Tan #14; Panty Dropper Hopper Tan, Yellow, Pink #12-#14; Transparent Ant Black/Red #16; Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Yellow, Tan, Pink #12-#14; Micro Water Walker Pink #14-#16; Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #16-#18; Parachute Adams #10-#12; Dave’s Hopper #14; Delektable Chubbyness Royal, Cinnamon, Rootbeer, and Olive Brown #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, Tan, Cinnamon, Rainbow, UV Olive #16-#18; Papa Humpy Royal Red #16; Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan, Olive, Dark Olive, Grey #18.

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Silver, Gold, Pheasant Tail, Red, Olive Green #14-#20; Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #18; Wilcox’s Little Green Machine PT #18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; RS2 Olive #16-#18; BH Rainbow Warrior #16-#18; Wire Worm Red/Orange #8; Pat’s Mr. Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12; Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive PT, PT, and Warrior #16-#18; BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#20; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black #8-#10; BH Shop Vac #16-#18; BH Gilled Flashback Pheasant Tail #16; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8; Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8; Heavy Metal #6; Bow River Bugger Olive #8; Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8; Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8; Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4; Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6; BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

August 22nd-August 28th 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As School begins to start again and another epic Summer on the Madison River is recorded in the books, the parable of the Ant and the Grasshopper comes to mind. Are you the Ant or the Grasshopper? Have you studied the River, learned the holes, prepared yourself for big Fall Trout?? While you ponder these Big Life questions, go out and fish those Ants and Hoppers!

Rainshowers and low 70’s to high 80’s temperatures have certainly made the fishing better this week, add a little wind to push those Hoppers and Ants on the water and fishing nirvana follows! Streamflows this week were 1,320cfs at Kirby, 1,440cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,060cfs at Kirby, 1,180cfs at Cameron by the end of the week. The drop in flow and air temperature has contributed to more productive Dry Fly fishing!

This week we would also like to Thank and Congratulate the Ennis Chamber of Commerce and contributors on a job very well done with the Madison River Annual Flyfishing Festival! What a great way for avid and novice flyfishing people to come together and share fishing knowledge and promote  the sport that we love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Silver, Gold, Pheasant Tail, Red, Olive Green #14-#20, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #18, Wilcox’s Little Green Machine PT #18, Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18, RS2 Olive #16-#18, BH Rainbow Warrior #16-#18, Wire Worm Red/Orange #8, Pat’s Mr. Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive PT #16-#18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#20, Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black #8-#10, BH Shop Vac #16-#18, BH Gilled Flashback Pheasant Tail #16, Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8, Heavy Metal #6, Bow River Bugger Olive #8, Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8, Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4, Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6, Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6, BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Fat Frank Peach, Tan #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Tan, Yellow, Pink #12-#14, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Yellow, Tan, Pink #12-#14, Mircowater Walker Pink #14-#16. Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #16-#18, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Dave’s Hopper #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, Tan, Cinnamon, Rainbow #16-#18, Papa Humpy Royal Red #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan, Olive, Dark Olive, Grey #18.

August 8th-August 14th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Hoppers, o’ Hoppers where for art thou??? We may not see you, but the fishermen have been creating the hatch and the Fish have been starting to eat!! They seem as anxious as we are for the hatch to kick in fully! The most consistent action has been seen between McAtee Bridge to Ennis, however later this week the Fish have been starting to swipe at the Hopper up to Windy Point!

Temperatures have been in the high 80’s-low 90’s this week, we have seen some reprieve from the heat with afternoon/evening rain showers and cooling nightly temps. The river flows have continued to drop this week 1,350cfs at Kirby and 1,500cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,200cfs at Kirby and 1,330cfs at Cameron by the end the week.

Dry fly fishing has been coming on stronger during the day with  Ants, Beetles, and some Hoppers, Nocturnals and Caddis have been the hits this week. Streamers with a Dropper fished with a nymphing set up (strike indicator) and completed dead drifted and tight lined have also been very productive. Nymphing has been productive especially if you switch your manner of presentation, with some days great for dragging, while others are best with a perfect float. As fishing can be so drastically different from day to day, switching your flies often (if not getting action) and changing your presentation and location on the River Center to banks and back can help produce high catch days and 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 Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #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 #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Gray, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16.

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Gold, Silver #14-#16, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten Big Spanker Red Headed #16, 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: 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, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Shelia Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8, Silk Kitty Olive #6.

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 25th-August 1st | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As of August 2nd Hoot Owl Restrictions have begun on the lower Madison from Ennis Dam to confluence of the Jefferson River and from 8-Mile Fishing Access to Ennis Reservoir. This  means fishing from 2PM to Midnight in these areas is prohibited. Temperatures have remained safe from 8-Mile to Raynolds Pass Bridge this week but we may be expecting more Hoot Owl restrictions on other parts of this River and other Rivers this Summer as the warm temps continue!

The Heat is on this week! With air temperatures hitting the low to mid 90’s this week, dropping back to the lower 50’s at night, the most productive fishing has been early in the morning and the miracle hour before dark. The river flows this week have been 1,250cfs at Kirby for most of the week with an increase to 1,520cfs at by the end of the week, at Cameron 1,380cfs for most of the week with an increase to 1,640cfs by the end of the week. The weather forecast for the next week is predicted to be cooler with chances of rain which will significantly help Fish and Fisherman!

 

 

 

 

 

We have seen productive subsurface fishing this week especially with Nymphs and a Streamer/Dropper set up. The most productive Dry Fly action in the early morning with ants, Nocturnals, PMD’s, Midges and Tricos! We are still patiently waiting for those tasty Hoppers to arrive and hopefully will see signs in the next 2 weeks!

Nymphs: Geppert Skinny Dip Brown, Pearl, Black #14-#16, Geppert Mega Emerger Pink #16-#18, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #16, Delektable Twinkle Black, Purple #18-#20, GBH Zebra Midge Black #20, Pat’s Rubberleg Black, Olive/Brown #12-#14, Delektable Jig Hook TB Spanker Holo Pink, Pheasant Tail, Miller Time #16-#18, BH Mo River Pheasant Tail #18-#20, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold #16-#20, Delektable Hammerhead TBH Jighead Holo Green #18, BH Lemon Drop #14-#18, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Olive/Green, Purple #16-#18, Shop Vac Brown/Olive #16-#18, Formerly Known as Prince #16-#18, Hogan’s S&M Olive Nymph #16-#18.

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 Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8.

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant #14-#16, Delektable Flying Ant Black, Purple #14-#16, Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16,Snowshoe Trico #20, Etha-Wing Dun-Trico #20-#22, Adams Midge Cluster #18, Double Winged Trico Spinner #18, Half Drowned Moth, Hopper, Caddis #16, Hippie Stomper Royal #16-#18, Dornan’s Water Walker September Stone #12-#14, PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #16-#18, Delektable Lil’ Secret Royal, UV Pink #16-#18, Parachute Adams #14-#16 and Delektable Halo Various Colors for Caddis #16-#18.

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.

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 10th to 1,250cfs, at Cameron 1,970cfs the beginning of the week and dropping to 1,660cfs by the 10th. 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.