Tag: Upper Madison River fly fishing

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 20th – 26th | Madison River Fishing Report

The Upper Madison is still holding pretty steady with flows at 1,140 cubic feet per second below Hebgen, 1,210 at Kirby and 1,240 down at Varney. The great dry fly bite has been keeping all our guides and clients happy, which is a blessing in late August.

Hoppers and ants are still making up most of our afternoon action but we’re also getting some nice fish on Purple Crazes and some small Caddis in the evening. Our favorite dry flies this week are the Yeager’s 409s, Delektable Flying Ants, Bloom’s Stealth Ants, Tip Jar Hoppers, Parachute Hoppers, Delektable Slammers and Delektable Halos.

We’ve probably seen the most consistent streamer fishing of the summer over the past couple weeks. Fish seem to be real interested in the darker sculpin stuff. Flies like Delektable Screamers in Black/Olive, Mini-Loops, McCune’s Sculpins, Trevor’s and Black Sculpzillas have all proven themselves lately.

 

Nymphs have been catching fish under dry flies, with an indicator and being trailed behind streamers. Our top picks for the sub- surface bugs are Delektable Hammerheads, Delektable Lil’ Spankers in purple, Lightning Bugs, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails, Batwing Emergers, small Pat’s Rubberlegs and Green Machines.

Fish those sinking flies early and late in the day and the terrestrials during the afternoon and you should be in good shape. We had a few days where it was mostly small fish hitting the dries but as of recent we’re seeing some better fish looking up again so get out there while the getting is good! Dan celebrated a birthday this week and was able to be a passenger in the boat with Brian, Nancy, and Dan rowing. The smoke has really subsided and the world’s in better order now, beautiful scenes and mountains with snow caps. Enjoy!

 

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.

July 23rd – 29th | Madison River Fishing Report

We’re so thankful for all who came this weekend in support of our annual Montana Hope Project Fundraiser, what an experience it is to spend a couple days with awesome people joining together for a great cause.  The fishing is of course, still excellent with this big water year we’ve had. Flows are down to 1,300 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake, 1,400 c.f.s. at the Kirby gauge and 1,600 c.f.s. down at Varney.

The fish are looking up throughout the day as PMDs emerge early, Hoppers and ants are keeping them going throughout the day and the spinners fall in the evening with the caddis. Some of our favorite flies have been Purple Hazes, PMD Comparaduns, Fat Alberts, White Cloud Hoppers, Delektable Chubbyness’, Delektable Flying Ants, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis and Bloom’s Parachute Caddis.

With the dry fly fishing being so good, less folks have been running the bead-heads but they’re certainly still working. Flies like Delektable Stonefly Candy and Pat’s Rubberlegs are doing a good job at imitating those nocturnal stoneflies that have been hatching while we sleep and Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Lightning Bugs, Tung Darts, Prince Nymphs and Caddis Pupas have all been doing well for the smaller bugs.

The streamer bite has still been pretty inconsistent but if you’re willing to get up real early and get after it your odds of getting a couple real nice fish are as good as any. Fly recommendations would be Delektable Double-Screamers, Sundell’s Bad Boy, Galloup’s Butt Monkey or Sparkle Minnows.

October 30th-November 5th|Madison River Fishing Report

Flows are steady with the last couple of weeks’ reports as the temperature will begin to drop here in the Madison Valley. Daytime highs are predicted to be all over the board this week between about 30 and 50 degrees.

 

Let’s hope that the changing weather will turn the streamer bite on! We’ve seen some good fish caught lately on McCune’s Sculpins, Sundell’s Bad Boys, Mini Loops and Delektable Screamers but we’re still hoping to see some more consistency with the streamer bite.

Nymphs have been picking up most of the fish, of course. Hare’s Ears, Prince Nymphs, Rubberlegs, eggs and Delektable Big Spankers have all been good choices as of recent and they’re working best in the deeper holes so you may want to have some split shot with you as well.

Dry fly fishing is the same story as the past couple weeks with baetis being the main target. I still recommend just a classic parachute adams to imitate them but don’t be surprised to see more midge action in the coming days as it cools off.

Keep checking in for more tips and reports to come!