Tag: Summer Fishing

July 25th – July 31st | Madison River Fishing Report

Another week of Summer has come and gone in the Madison Valley. We’ve received a bit of much needed rain at times. The fire situation up around Cliff and Wade has improved and the heavy layer of smoke we’ve been living and fishing in since the beginning of July has lifted some. Improving the air quality and visibility. Hoot Owl restrictions are still in place and will be so until conditions improve enough for Montana FWP to lift them. For any of you that are new to Hoot Owl restrictions this means no fishing between 2:00 PM and 11:59 PM. Please access the Montana FWP link below for a list of all the Hoot Owl restrictions in effect statewide.

https://fwp.mt.gov/new/current-closures-restrictions.

Flows and fishing remain solid here on the Upper Madison. The Streamer game is definitely on in the early morning hours. With trout chasing well from before light to mid morning when that sun begins to hit the water. If you can catch a day with some cloud cover or when the smoke creates a false cover it has been good with the bunny fur all day. We’ve also had great reports from the Upper River with many anglers having success stripping smaller Black Buggers, Bunny Leeches, and Mohair Leeches.
We’ve seen the Mayfly and Caddis hatches begin to slow down over the last week. With the Nocturnals, Ants, Beetles, and Hoppers beginning to be more of the prime game. If it’s slower on the dries definitely go to the dry dropper rig. The Hopper bite is still building and will only improve throughout August and into September.
Nymphing is the most consistent fishing at the moment. With flows bumped back up to around 1500cfs at the Kirby guage, the Wire Worm has been effective on some recent days. Prince variations, Lightning Bugs, Perdigons, Olive and Coffee Pat’s, and Delektable Lil’ Spankers.

It can be a bit crowded at the ramps right now with the restrictions in place and everyone getting early starts. Remember to be courteous and patient out there. Play your fish as quick as possible. Keep them as wet as possible and take that extra moment to revive them before your release. Current conditions give you the opportunity for some unique and fun new ways for photos. With most cell phones and cameras having some waterproof features now. You can get some amazing shots at or under water level. Please call us or stop by with any questions you may have about your fishing needs. Stay safe out there everyone.

Dries: Morrish Hopper in Tan and Pink #12-#14. Thunder Thighs Hopper in Tan, Pink, Yellow #10-#14. Half Down Hopper #12-#14. More or Less Hopper Tan, Peach, #12-#14. Delektable Chubbyness UV Purple, Royal, UV Cinnamon, Root Beer #10 – #14. Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, Root Beer, UV Cinnamon, UV Tan #14 – #18. Para Adams #10 -#16. Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16. Royal Wulff #12 – #16. Royal Wullf Cripple #14 -#18. PMD Sparkle Dun #16. Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan, Pale Olive #14 – #16. Delektable PMD Teaser #14 – #16. Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan #14-#18. Delektable Halo Caddis #14 – #16 Tan, Royal, Peacock. Delektable Lil’ Secret Royal, Goldrush, UV Caddis Green. Micro Water Walkers Peanut, Pink, September Stone #14-#16.

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince Standard and Flashback #8 -#10. Pat’s Rubberlegs Olive/Black, Brown/Black #8-#10. Formerly Known as Prince #16-#18. Psycho Prince Yellow and Purple #14 – #16. Delektable Lil Spanker Silver, Gold, Pheasant Tail #14 – #18. Lightning Bugs Silver and Gold #12-#16. Delektable Tungsten Jig Spanker Silver, Pheasant Tail, Miller Time, #16-#18. Perdigons. Wire Worm #8. 

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double Olive, Olive/Black, Badger #6. Sparkle Minnows #6. Zonkers Copper, Silver #4-#6. Galloups Dungeon’s Standard and Mini Olive, Black, Cream. McCune’s Sculpin Tan and Olive #4 – #6. Black Bunny Leech #8 – #10. Black Buggers and Mohair Leeches #8-#12.

July 18th – July 24th | Madison River Fishing Report

It’s been an eventful week up in the Madison Valley. Hoot Owl restrictions went into place on July 21st for the entire Madison River. From the mouth to the Yellowstone National Park Boundary. So for those of you who may be unfamiliar with these rules since this has never happened on the Upper section. This means no fishing between 2PM and Midnight. Also Yellowstone National Park has decided to implement Hoot Owl restrictions on all rivers and streams within the National Park beginning at 2PM on July 24th. The one difference with the YNP restrictions is that there is no fishing from 2PM until sunrise rather than Midnight. Water quality is actually good. Flows are currently at 1500 cfs at the Kirby guage. Which is about 200 cfs above the median historical flow at this time of year. Water temps are topping out between 65 and 68 degrees everyday. With early morning to mid morning temps staying in the mid to high 50’s. But with so many rivers under restriction FWP doesn’t want to have a flood of guides and anglers flocking to the Madison if it were one of the few rivers left without restriction. See the below link to Montana FWP for a full list of closures and restrictions throughout the state. 

https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

As for the fishing, it remains pretty good. Dries, nymphs, and streamers are fishing well throughout periods of the day. Attractor dries, Caddis, PMD’s, Sallies, Ants, Beetles, and Hoppers are all possibilities. The dry dropper rig is prime right now with a Chubby or Hopper up top with a smaller nymph trailing. Streamer fishing has been good early for the first few hours of the day. Dead drifting, on the swing, or on the strip. PMD spinner falls in the morning. With periods of surface activity to Caddis, PMD’s, and Terrestrials throughout mid day to the closure time at 2 pm. 

It’s important to remember to be patient, and courteous as we are all dealing with these restrictions together. Keep in mind the precious resource we have and to keep in mind we are all doing our part to protect it. The boat launches will be a little more crowded with the limited hours of fishing. Enjoy the company and companionship of our fellow anglers and like all things it will be back to normal soon. Be safe and and enjoy our beautiful outdoor opportunities. We have updated our store hours during the restrictions to 6AM to 5PM seven days a week. 

Dries: Delektable Chubbyness #14-#16 Rootbeer, Royal, UV Purple, Goldrush. Delektable Lil’ Chubby #14-#16 Royal, Goldrush, Tan. Delektable Twisted X #16 Yellow/Red. Delektable Elk Hair CDC Caddis #14-#16 Tan. Delektable Halo #16 Tan, Royal. Delektable Lil’ Secret #12 Royal, Delektable Lil’ Secret #14-#16 UV Caddis Green, UV Goldrush. Micro Water Walkers #14-#16 Pink, Peanut. Morrish Hopper #12-#14 Tan, Pink. Thunder Thighs Hopper #10 Pink, Yellow. More or Less Hopper #10 Peach, Pink, Goldenrod. Delektable Flying Ant #14-#16 Purple, Black, Red, Red/Black, Cinnamon. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Prince and Prince Variants #12-#16. Lemon Drops #14-#16. Psycho Prince #14-#16 Yellow, Purple. Delektable Lil’ Spanker #14-#16 Silver, Gold, Blue, Red. Delektable Hammerhead #14-#16 Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail. Lightning Bugs #14-#16 Silver, Gold. Pat’s Rubberlegs #8-#10 Olive/Black, Brown/Black. Delektable Root Beer Float #16 PMD. Delektable Tungsten Jighead Spanker #16 Miller Time. Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#16. Split Back PMD #14-#16. 

Streamers: Delektable Screamers Single and Double in Olive/Black, White. Mini Dungeons. McCune’s Sculpin Tan, Olive. Zonkers Copper, Silver. Sparkle Minnows single and articulated. Sculpzilla’s Black, Olive. 

 

June 27th – July 3rd | Madison River Fishing Report

 

 

 

 

 

We are entering the final phases of this years Salmonfly Hatch. With the big bugs now spread out between Windy Point up to Quake. The dry fly action continued on strong all week. With the Madison trout munching on Salmonflies, Goldens, Sallies, Caddis and PMD’s. Mornings and  evenings have been strongest and most consistent. But plenty of fish are looking up throughout the afternoons as well. Two fly rigs consisting of a Salmonfly trailed by a caddis dry or emerger has been paying dividends. And for you evening anglers be sure to have some Rusty Spinners in the box at dusk. That’s usually the code cracker if they won’t take those caddis and you’re getting perfect drifts. 

Nymphing remains strong throughout the river. Stonefly nymphs, Caddis pupae, PMD nymphs, and Sallies all are in the drift right now. With so much insect activity right now it’s important to have a good rotation of flies you are confident in whether fishing on top or sub surface. Keep changing up the combos until you find what works for you out there. 

Streamer action remains good especially if you’re an early riser and out there in the lower light conditions. Plenty of fish are taking dead drifted or twitched streamers throughout the day as well. Trailing a nymph behind is also always a good bet. 

 

 

 

 

 

With the high temps and drought conditions, please remember to play your fish as quick as possible and keep them wet for a quick photo and a proper release. With these conditions it’s so important to handle this fragile resource with the proper care. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dries: Delektable Secret Stone in UV Orange, UV Salmonfly, UV Goldenstone, and Royal. Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness in UV Salmonfly, and Goldrush. Delektable Lil’ Chubby in Royal, Black, Goldrush. Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis in Tan, Pale Olive. Delektable Twisted Baby in Brown. Carlson’s Purple Craze.

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs in Black, Brown, Olive. Delektable Guide Stone’s. Delektable Mega Prince and Hurless Stones. Delektable Hammerhead Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail. Lemon Drops, Split Back PMD. Psycho Prince Yellow and Purple. Delektable Lil’ Spanker in Silver, Red, Gold, Pheasant Tail. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Jig Head in Miller Time. Shop Vac’s, $3 dips. Perdigons. 

Streamers: Delektable Screamers Single and Double in Olive/Black, Badger, Brown/Yellow. Dungeons Full Size and Mini. Zonkers in Copper and Silver. Sculpzilla in Olive and Black. 

The Delektable Crew would like to wish you all a very safe and Happy 4th of July holiday. We enjoyed a very special Wedding on the River this week with the Palisades and the Madison in the background and one of our guides was the Reverend. What better way to enjoy days and evenings by having a relaxing day on the Madison. We thank you all for your support and patronage. 

 

June 20th – 26th | Madison River Fishing Report

 

 

 

 

 

Prime time is now on the Upper Madison. Salmonflies, Goldens, Sallies, PMD’s, the Big Bomber Sedge Caddis along with the smaller cousin Hydropsyche Caddis are all out on the water. It’s most definitely Dry Fly time on the Madison right now. Salmon Flies are spread from Windy Point down to Varney. And over the last four days the fish have been cooperating nicely.

The Dry Fly bite has become much more consistent over the last several days. Some calmer winds and a bit of cloud cover in the afternoons has helped the trout feel much more comfortable coming up to slurp down our offerings. The evening fishing with Caddis and PMD spinner falls is strong throughout the Upper right now. Double Dry Rigs, or Dry Dropper Rigs are producing great. As with any river you will find lulls in the action on top no matter how strong the bite may be at a given time. So if you feel the need to drift some Nymphs have at it. Along with all the Stone patterns, all the variations of Prince Nymphs are fishing very strong this week.

The Streamer game is working as well. For the more aggressive action think early and late. Mid day has been stronger dead drifting a Streamer under an indicator or dropping a small Nymph trailing behind.

 

 

 

 

Dries: Delektable Secret Stone in Royal, UV Salmon Fly, UV Orange, UV Goldenstone. Delektable Mega 2Tone Chubbyness in UV Salmon Fly, UV Goldrush. Morrish Fluttering Salmonfly. Delektable Lil’ Yellowstone, Delektable Elk Hair CDC Caddis #14-#16. Delektable Halo Tan #16. Delektable Twisted Baby Brown #10-#12. Delektable Lil’ Chubby in Royal, UV Cinammon, UV Goldrush, UV Tan. Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16.
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs, Delektable Mega Prince, Delektable Hurless Stone, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Jig Head Miller Time, Pheasant Tail #14-#18. Formerly Known as Prince, Red Thread Prince, Delektable Prince Brandon #12-#16. Lemon Drops #14-#16. Panty Dropper PMD curved hook #16. Split Back PMD #14-#16. Perdigons #14-#18. Delektable Lil’ Spankers Pheasant Tail, Red, Silver #14-#16. Delektable Hammerhead Standard and Jighead Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, Red #14-#18. Guides Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#16.
Streamers: Delektable Screamers Single and Double in Olive/Black, Brown/Yellow, Badger. Dungeons and Mini Dungeons in Black and Olive. Zonkers Silver and Copper. McCune’s Sculpin Olive and Tan.

Remember to be safe and courteous on the river during this busy time. We are all here to have fun, unwind, and get away from the stress of our daily lives. Please call us or stop by anytime for any advice or fly tackle you may be in need of. If you haven’t discovered Beartooth Flyfishing yet, come and meet the Delektable Crew as you won’t be disappointed.

September 2nd – 8th | Madison River Fishing Report

This year’s hopper bite has been epic to say the least. The hopper action has been the best we have seen in years. We have so many hoppers in the grass, on the banks and yes, even in the fly bins still. When the wind blows and the sun is out, the hopper bite is the best. It slows a little when the clouds are out. More-Or-Less hopper in the pink size 12 has been one of the better hoppers for us this season. The tan Panty-Dropper-Hopper in a size 12 or 14 is a great hopper pattern that we have here at the Beartooth. It has been dwindling a bit lately even though there are still copious amounts of hoppers. There are other bugs out there if the hopper is not working for you. The mahogany dun in a size 14 or 16 has started to fly around. You could throw a brown or marigold Adams size 14 for that and do well. The tan caddis size 16 is still out and about. We may even start seeing the BWO with the next bit of rain and weather that is in store for us in the next 10 days. Pseudo mayflies in a size 18 to 22 are flying around and you can get those little flies here at the shop too. Let’s not forget the nymph bite is always VERY SWITCHED ON here on the Madison River. So, if you cannot hookup on the dry, give the ‘ole dirty nymph a try, you should have some luck, it’s always been a sure thing. Prince nymph in a size 16 with white CDC (Delektable Prince Brandon) has been the ticket for a lot of our guides. The Delektable Lil’ Spanker series has been a go-to for years and is still a heavy hitter, especially in the Pheasant Tail or Silver colors. Also there have been some spotting on the mahogany duns, which will be out in full force here in a minute. If you would like some more intel or just great fly fishing conversation, come on in to the shop and say hey to all of us here!!! We would be more than happy let you in on what’s working for us!  

       

August 26th – September 1st | Madison River Fishing Report

So… it’s September… and it is still going on with the hoppers! I have never seen it like this in my whole short life. Hoppers everywhere. Holy hoppers. Hoppers. Wow. If you are trying to get your dry fly game going, throw a hopper. The ant has picked up a fish or two also, but for the most part… hoppers. We have seen some good days with the sun and heat and have been lucky with that, but when the clouds come out and they are not eating the hopper, they will eat the nymph and/or streamer. They are hungry. The river is in great condition and the fish are in top shape! It has just been soooo goooood this summer… ALLLL SUMMER LONGGG!!!

Flies that have been working for us here at the shop are as follows:

Hoppers:

More-Or-Less Hopper size 12 and 14 in the Pink, Peach, Tan or Yellow

White Cloud Hopper size 10, 12 and 14 in the Yellow or Green

Mongo Hopper size 10 and 12 in the Tan, Peach or Yellow

Panty-Dropper-Hopper size 12 and 14 in the Tan, Pink or Yellow

Yeti Hopper size 12 in Purple or Red

Fat Frank size 10 and 12 in Orange, Yellow or Purple

Fat Albert size 10, 12 and 14 in ALL the colors

Morrish Hopper size 12 and 14 in the Yellow, Pink and Tan

         

     

 

 

 

 

Dries:

                Parachute Adams size 10

                Circus Peanut 10 and 12 in the Yellow

                Delektable Twisted Baby size 12 and 14 in the Tan/Brown

                Delektable Twisted Sister size 12 and 14 in the Tan/Brown

                Delektable Chubbiness size 14 and 16 in the Cinnamon or Royal

                Tantrum size 12 in the Pink

                Purple Haze size 16

                Delektable Ant size 14 and 16 in the Cinnamon or Red

                Yeagers Ant size 12 and 14 in the Red

Nymphs:

                Prince

               Pheasant Tail

                Delektable Lil’ Spanker size 16 in the Pheasant tail and silver

                Silver or Pearl Lightening Bug size 12 and 14

                Golden Stone Tungsten size 8 and 10

                Shop Vac size 14 and 16 in the Olive and Pheasant tail

                Tung Dart Green 16         

Well, there are a few choices for you if you were having any trouble selecting a bug or two to throw at those wily trout. If you have any questions please feel free to stop by or give us a call! We hope you are having the best summer ever, now get ready for faaaaaall!!!

Happy Fishing!!! -Dang  

August 19th – 25th | Madison River Fishing Report

The thing about hoppers… is that … they are still here.

And they are going to be here for more than a minute, so you best get used to them and best come in and buy your favorite ones before they are gone! They go real fast here at the Beartooth. The guides and clients eating more hopper flies than the fish do, so stay on top of it and get armored up! The bins have been restocked over and over again and still there are not enough to supply the valley somehow. The bite has been predicted to last a week or two more. The weather looks good for the rest of the week for throwing hoppers. Pitch and twitch! Thanks to all the rain this summer early on, and all the green grass, we have seen one of the most prolific hatches of grasshoppers of all time. Swarms of hoppers have taken over the valley. There are hoppers everywhere. Ants and beetles are in the mix too, but the hopper game is strongest. If you are having a little trouble hooking up on the hopper, try a different size, a little bit different silhouette or try changing colors. Keep changing it up until you find the one that they like for you. People come in the shop everyday telling us that “this is the only one they will eat”. It’s funny, every time I hear “the only hopper they will eat” …it is a different hopper each time I hear it. What works for one person is not always the same fly for another person. So, keep mixing it up. We are progressing ourselves in this sport when we stay in the water and keep switching it up until something starts working. If one bug is not catching, then try another. Another thing about the hopper fishing is that the hopper bite may die down with clouds present.

                       

Some flies that have worked for us and the guides here this week are as follows:

Morrish Hopper Pink or Yellow size 10 and 12

More-Or-Less Hopper Pink size 10 and 12

Yeti Hopper Red size 12

Yeager’s 409 Red size 12

Delektable Ant Cinnamon or Red size 12 and 14

Delektable Prince Brandon any size but especially 16

Lightning Bug Silver size 16

Softhackle pheasant tail size 16 or Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail

Green Machine size 14 and 16

3 Dollar Dip Red size 16

Bat wing BWO size 16

Delektable Purple Lil’ Spanker size 16

 

 

 

 

July 22nd – July 28th | Madison River Fishing Report

This past week we have been experiencing what a fixed damn can do for your river …just like last year, it is becoming quite the epic dry fly season! The water is still up and cold and the bugs are just going crazy. PMDs , Caddis, Sallies, tale end of the Goldens and Salmons, and even the start of the Hopper. Beetles and ants are starting to work as well. So, if you are into the dry fly action more than the subsurface, this is your time to shine my friends. I hope you are all getting a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. It has been stellar conditions everyday with a very consistent afternoon thunderstorm (3-5pm). After the rain it is on again with the evening hatch. The Mayflies and Spinners are thick like a blanket. The Caddis….wow! Streamer action is pretty good as well if you get bored of all the bugs and maybe during the storm and cloud cover. We have seen some pretty good fish give it up to the streamer. We have also seen the streamer get the attention and the little nymph on the back get all the action. Do what you will with it.

We have had several groups in this week including the Wild Adventure group. We have really enjoyed these guys and the spirit they bring to the water. With the help of our guides they have roped in some pretty descent trout this week! Speaking of the trout, these fish in the Madison are absolute torpedoes right now! I have seen some good years, but this year??….whoa, its on fire! Also, be careful not to underestimate the water speed here, she is moving at a steady rate still (1,620 cfs behind the shop). We have seen a few boats flip and sink over the past couple of weeks, so please be careful, the water can still be fast and hard to read in places.

Now when we talk about flies it can be very long, involved and exaggerating. So, I wont get to in depth with all the verbiage, but instead I will just tell you some of the hottest patterns we and the guides have been using to get those fish in the net.

The PMD has us all zoomed in on the Mayfly patterns out there. Some of the very best ones are of course going to be some kind of variation of the Adams or the Purple Haze.

The Caddis is a heavy hitter also. He (or she) is going to be Tan, Olive and/or Black. The Caddis has a size varying from 18 to 12 right now. I have also seen some 10’s out there still with a light olive body shade. But the most common one right now is going to be the tan #16.                                   

The Yellow Sally is here and there and almost done, but still throw that smaller Yellow Stimulator at the water with high hopes.

Goldens and Salmon Flies up higher on the upper river are most definitely still working. I would stay in your Dornan’s Water Walker silhouette  and/or the Delektable Secret Stone patterns if I were you. Great patterns for those big guys.

The Hopper is coming but still a little on the slow side of things. Do not worry because just in about a week or so that little bugger is going to come out in force with all the troops of all colors and sizes! Trust me, it IS going to be crazy! So, get your hopper game tight!

As far as the Streamer bite goes…all you streamer gooroos out there already know what you are doing. But for you who would like to be throwing streamers but haven’t quite thrown in the towel on the nymphs yet, start with your local Beartooth Flyfishing Flyshop and give us a call or swing on in and we will set you right up!

Thanks for checking in with us, I hope you all can get out there and get yourselves a piece of the mighty Madison and its great fish and beautiful scenery!!! Happy Fishing!!!

August 21st-27th|Madison River Fishing Report Eclipse & 60th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much to share. This week we experienced the Solar Eclipse on the river and Kevin provided shots from Idaho. We had a mixture of fun fishing experiences including us and many friends and new friends. We had special surprise guests for Dan’s 60th birthday. And…we shared an incredible birthday cake Elle made totally in honor of Dan and “Scar Tissue”. It was quite the week of incredible experiences, fun fishing, great reunions, fabulous cake and terrific food too. Life at Beartooth can be so much fun. Thank you for sharing.

Fishing on the Upper Madison hasn’t changed too much throughout the month of August. The biggest change we’ve seen over the past week is that bigger fish are eating a little more readily, let’s hope that lasts. Flows are up slightly from last week below the dam to 1,040 c.f.s. and 1,190 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch. 

 

Dry fly fishing has still been really good even though sometimes we end up with a totally Tyke bite for a day then bigger fish the next day. Big swarms of flying ants can be seen from Storey Ditch down past Varney Bridge later in the afternoon but they’ll eat them almost all day. The Delektable flying ant in Purple or Cinnamon has consistently been our best pattern. Quigley’s glitter ant and the smaller Yeager’s 409’s in red are doing the trick as well. Early in the day a small Adams or Purple Craze has brought success while pseudos are about and hoppers are still producing as well. For those, the cast and location is important. The Delektable Chubbyness in #14’s and #16’s is still a good pattern with best results in UV Purple, UV Cinnamon, and Royal this week. Hoppers in pink, yellow, and cream underneath are still working.

 

Under the surface fish are taking big or  small princes, small Delektable pheasant tail Lil’ Spankers, tan/brown or olive/brown Rubberlegs, bigger Delektable Hammerheads, Hare’s Ears and Delektable Big Spanker Warriors. Lightning Bugs in Silver and Pearl are still good. These flies have all been pretty good all day but best During the late morning and early afternoon.

 

 

As for the streamer fishing, things continue to improve. We’ve seen some good action into the hottest part of the day the last couple days. Some of our best bugs are the Delektable Single Screamer in white, the Sculpzilla in White or Tan, Mini Loops, Silvey’s sculpin leech and the Conehead Bow River Bugger. Using a sinking leader has helped with Slow strips and dead drifts around the boulders. You could even add a trailing small nymph from the list above. The smoke remains in the mountains and less so on the river.

Don’t forget to call the shop for the latest fishing information 406-682-7525. Thank you for the fun and support.

The Delektable Crew