Tag: beartooth flyfishing

May 4th – 10th | Madison River Fishing Report

We have had a number of boats out on the Madison over the last week. Fishing overall has been solid. Some days have been tougher than others. But overall it’s been good to great for most of our outings. Nymphing remains the best strategy for getting into the most consistent fishing. Delektable Mega Princes, Delektable Hurless Stones, and Delektable Balanced Stones in sizes #8-#10 are a great choice for your lead fly. Delektable Lil’ Spankers in Silver, Red, Blue, and Pheasant Tail. Shop Vacs, Psycho Princes, Serendipities, Egg Patterns, and Worms have also been strong choices for trailer patterns which will produce.

The Mother’s Day Caddis hatch had been strong on the Lower Madison as well as the lower stretches of the Upper River from Varney downstream to Valley Garden and the lake channels. The cool batch of weather that rolled in last weekend put this hatch on hold for a couple of days. We should see this hatch back in action as the weather warms mid week. Dan was able to get out and fish this hatch on Friday the 7th and had excellent success. Delektable CDC Holographic Elk Hair Caddis, Delektable Little Chubbies, and Delektable Sparkle Bugs, in Olive in sizes #14 and #16 have fished well during this hatch. The Upper Wade Section as always is providing action on top with Blue Winged Olives in sizes #18 –  #22. And Midge Adults and Clusters in sizes #18 – #22. If you catch the right day with some cloud cover, calm winds, the fishing can as always be outstanding.

     

 

 

 

 

The streamer action is still heating up. And will do so as spring flows continue to increase. Tactics have varied daily. Fast Retrieves, Slow Retrieves, and Dead Drifting are all possibilities. Black, Olive, White, and Natural colored patterns seem to be the hot colors right now. It just takes some time and patience to figure out how they want them presented each day. Streamer bite has definitely been more active on overcast days without the bright sunlight.

The season is coming on quickly with the last of our closed waters such as the Upper Beaverhead opening this coming Saturday the 15th of May. As always please stop by and pick up some Bugs, Leaders, Suncscreen, and any other tying materials you may need on your way to the River. Be safe out there and remember it’s all about fun out there.

March 29th – April 4th | Madison River Fishing Report

We at Beartooth Flyfishing hope everyone had a happy and safe Easter weekend. We have had a few boats out over the last few days. The Madison trout are happy and hungry and looking forward to some warmer weather in the short future as much as we are. The river is fishing as well as can be expected with the water temperatures still cold.

Nymphing is the most consistent method for a solid day of fishing throughout most of the river. Good success has been had with Delektable Mega Princes, Hurless Stones, and our new Delektable Balanced Stones, in sizes #8 – #10. Lil’ Spankers in Pheasant Tail, Silver, Blue, and Red have also been fishing well. Smaller Shop Vac’s in brown or olive #16 – #18. Baetis nymphs in #18 – #20 will also be effective.

Most of the surface activity will be best on the upper reaches of the river. With calmer wind look for risers to be sipping midges and blue winged olives in the slicks behind rocks and riffles throughout the wade section. There are still solid amounts of snow between the lakes and around Raynold’s and 3$. Some cardio post holing will be involved if you don’t have x country skis or snowshoes.

Streamers are fishing well once you’re able to crack the code and find how they want it presented. Again with the water temps on the chilly side, you’ll want to vary your strategies. Dead Drifting, or  slower strips seem to be the most consistent right now. As weather and water warms over the next few weeks they should begin to chase better. Olive, Black, and Brown/Yellow combinations have been the most reliable colors. With White and Natural combos coming into play on the brighter days.

No need to get out super early or stay super late just yet, as the fish are most active between about 10am and 5pm. Unless of course you’re looking for that 24” + toad lurking in the early morning or late evening light.

As always please call us here at Beartooth Flyfishing with any questions, or better yet stop in for some coffee and let us get you hooked up with all the flies and supplies you will need for your next day on the water.

March 18th & 19th | Madison River Fishing Report

The weather conditions looked favorably and my daughter Allie was available to help Dan row. So, 2 days in a row we floated Lyons to Palisades. We haven’t been able to fish together since before the pandemic. Since she had Covid and survived and I received my first Moderna shot, we said let’s go. The pictures tell the story.

The afternoon bite was the best both days for Rainbows and Browns. Stonefly Nymphs were the ticket; Delektable Balanced Flashback Hurless Stones #10 and Delektable Balanced Flashback Mega Princes #10; Delektable Olive Mega Prince Flashback #8; and one of my new Black Stonefly Nymphs under development size#8.

Yes, the second day we fished streamers. For about 20 minutes, one flash, two hook ups. The second being a Monster Brown that ate one of my new articulated 6” long streamers called a Delektable Snakehead.

Have Fun Fishing! Dan

Thursday March 5, 2021 | Madison River Fishing Report

The weather finally co-operated with warm temperatures and no wind. I stopped to wade 3 different sections of the upper Madison. First was McAtee bridge, then Ruby Creek and lastly the picnic area at Palisades. Hooked and landed browns and rainbows on one of my new stonefly nymphs at all 3 fishing spots. I drove all the way up to Hebgen dam to check out all the fly fishers.

They were enjoying the day like I was. All the sites and access points had anglers. As far as boat launches that were being used: Lyons you had to slide your boat or raft down slope from the road or drag it a ways from the parking lot to the river; Windy Point needed a few more days to melt and open up; Palisades was open as was Ruby Creek and McAtee. There were a handful of boats and rafts from Lyons to McAtee.      

It was so good to get out and exercise and to see so many out there enjoying a break in the weather. The bonus of this time of the year is the thousands of elk that can be photographed just by driving up the highway along with the deer, antelope, and other wildlife.

Enjoy Fishing! Dan Delekta

September 20th – October 3rd | Madison River Fishing Report

What weather we’ve been having late this season! Some may wish for the weather to get nasty and fish streamers but the rest of us are enjoying the hopper fishing into October! Flows have been steady at about 1,000 C.F.S. at Kirby. We’ve seen some more insect hatches lately which does suggest fall is here regardless of the daytime high temperatures indicating otherwise. Baetis, BWOs, Caddis and Midges can all be found throughout the river.

Dry fly fishing has been pretty decent especially with terrestrials in the afternoon but don’t be afraid to trail a little Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis or Adams behind some of your favorite terrestrial or attractor patterns. We’ve caught fish on Delektable Secret Stones, Delektable Chubbyness, Micro Water Walkers, More-Or-Less Hoppers, and Ants.

Nymph fishing has been just what you’d expect from the Madison, productive. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Serendipities, Prince Nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Wire Worms, RS2s, Green Machines and Zebra Midges have all been getting it done.

The streamer bite has been a little tough but showing big rewards to those who commit. Mornings are usually best and our best luck has been on darker sculpin imitations. Delektable Screamers, Sheila’s Sculpins, Bow River Buggers, Bond’s Dragons and Zonkers are some good options.

September 13th – 19th | Madison River Fishing Report

Flows came up about 100 C.F.S. from Hebgen Dam which is great. Fishing has been overall a bit inconsistent but we’re still getting some good ones. As the fish get used to the bump in water flows we expect to see more consistency but it’s also a bit of a transitional time around here as fall creeps in so anything can happen.

The dry fly fishing has been on the tougher side but those who have stuck with it have caught some fish. Small Delektable Chubbyness flies, the new Delektable Lil’ Chubby, Thunder Thighs Hoppers, Delektable Flying Ants, Elk hair Caddis and Purple Hazes have all seen some success.

Nymph fishing has been pretty good as one would expect. Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Hook Lightning Bugs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Psycho Princes, $3 Dips, Green Machines, Princes and Worms have all been good options.

As we inch closer to everyone’s favorite month to fish Streamers, people are coming into the shop with more and more big fish stories. Flies like Galloup’s Silk Kitty, Galloup’s Dungeon, Delektable Screamers, McCune’s Sculpins, Trevor’s Sculpins and Zonkers are all good. Have fun out there fishing!

August 30th – September 12th | Madison River Fishing Report

 The Terrestrials have still been good! Water levels are a little down so watch your boat placement if you’re floating below McAtee. We’ve had some interesting weather, the fishing got tough for a couple days after the snow and came right back to normal after that.

The streamer fishing has improved some with fish starting to act a little more aggressive. We’ve caught fish on Zonkers, Galloup’s Silk Kitty, Sculpzillas, JR’s Conehead, McCune’s Sculpins, Trevor’s Sculpins, Bow River Buggers, and Silvey’s Sculpins so buy some of those and catch some fish!

Dry fly fishing has been relatively inconsistent like we mentioned above, that cold snap put the Terrestrial fishing down for a couple days but we’ve still managed to get some nice ones to eat on the surface. Delektable Secret Stones, More-or-less Hoppers, Thunder Thighs Hoppers, small Delektable Chubbyness and Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis have all seen some success.

 

Nymph fishing has been what you’d expect from the Madison, the way to catch ‘em. The usual suspects like Pat’s Rubberlegs, Delektable Lil Spankers, Lightning Bugs, Princes and $3 Dips are still getting it done.

Fall is finally knockin on the door and it’ll bring some great fishing opportunities with it so dig out the cold weather gear and get ready!  

August 23rd – 29th | Madison River Fishing Report

A fun part of this past week was all the youngsters we had the privilege of taking fishing. We had several trips that consisted of grandparents, parents, and grandkids fishing together which is always great to see and be a part of. As for the fishing, not a lot has changed but we expect the incoming weather to mix things up a bit. We’re expecting a significant drop in air temperature for tomorrow along with some rain.

Flows are down some from last week, 890 C.F.S. below Hebgen, 1,010 C.F.S. at Kirby and 1,030 down at Varney. Keep an eye out for those gravel bars that have become more exposed over the last few days.

Streamers and nymphs will be coming into play a bit more with the inconsistent weather but we expect the hardcore dry fly guys to continue to get it done with Hoppers, Ants and smaller Chubbies. The patterns haven’t changed much with flies like Dornan’s Water Walkers, Delektable Chubbyness, Delektable Secret Stones, Delektable Flying Ants and all your favorite Grasshopper flies doing the job. Dan has added a new Delektable Fly Design called the Delektable Lil’ Chubby which has a wide gap hook and is tied in sizes #14-#18. They are Sweet and the shop will need to order more because they are working.

Under the Bobber you should be fishing Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Lightning Bugs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Copper Johns, Serendipities, Formerly Known as Princes or anything comparable to those patterns.

Streamer fishing has improved a bit but maybe that’s just because more people are fishing them. Flies like Bow River Buggers, Delektable Screamers, Zonkers, Mini Dungeons and Trevor’s Sculpins have all been good options.