Category: Fishing Reports

Parent Category for Fishing Reports

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 24th – 30th | Madison River Fishing Report

Flows and fishing have been pretty consistent with our last report with tiny bugs catching most fish and streamers and dry flies doing well in the right places at the right times.

 

BWO and Baetis nymphs have been responsible for most of our success around these parts. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Rs2’s, Hogan’s S&Ms, Micro Mayflies, and Copper Johns in sizes #18 and #20 are all good flies to trail behind a large Prince Nymph, Delektable CDC Halloween or a Pat’s Rubberleg.

Dry fly fishing has been best on the upper wade section of the river. It’ll be tough to beat a well placed #18 or #20 Parachute Adams or Purple Craze. Fish seem to be looking up from about 3:00 until Dark.

 

The streamer fishing has been inconsistent but rewarding when you commit to it. Sparkle Minnows, Bow River Buggers, Zonkers, Delektable Screamers and Sundell’s Bad Boy have all produced some quality fish.

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 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!