Tag: Custom Flies

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. 

 

July 11th – July 17th | Madison River Fishing Report

It’s always amazing how quickly the Summer season in Montana cruises by. Here we are approaching the last part of July. Fire season is definitely here and there is a good amount of smoke most days here in the Valley from the Goose Fire burning up around Cliff and Wade. Despite the hot and smoky conditions, there are plenty of smiling faces and bent rods out on the river this past week. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dry fly fishing is still going strong. The Hopper and Nocturnal fishing is in it’s beginning stages. Lots of flashes and half takes out there. With the occasional larger fish attacking it with a vengeance. Within the next week we should be seeing more consistent action on the Hoppers and Nocturnals. Caddis, PMD’s, and Little Yellow Stones are still out there in great numbers as well. It seems the hot time of the bite changes almost daily. Sometimes early to mid day. Other days it’s been mid day to afternoon. But the evenings are consistent with the nightly Caddis activity. 

When the action on top has gotten slow at times. The nymphing has been consistent and bringing plenty of trout to net. Various Prince Nymph patterns, Caddis Pupae and Emergers, PMD Nymphs and Emergers, and Yellow Sally Nymphs are all fishing well. Now that the big bugs are done. The trout are beginning to show some interest again in the Stonefly Nymphs also. One consistent combo we’ve been fishing the last couple weeks is the Delektable Halo Caddis Emerger Tan in size #16 trailed by a #16 Delektable Root Beer Float in PMD. This combo has been deadly in the seams and slicks around rocks by the bank and in the middle of the river. 

Streamer fishing is best when you’d expect it to be. Early, Late, or under some cloud cover. Quite a few Sculpin imitations are working. Trevor’s, Sheila’s, McCunes. Along with our Delektable Screamers Single and Double in Olive/Black. Brighter afternoons are seeing some chasers on White or more Sparkley imitations. Such as Sparkle Minnows, or Kreelex patterns. 

Many anglers are getting out early or getting on the water for the evening fishing which is a great idea with the water temps still getting pretty warm each afternoon. Please stop by the shop for a few six packs of flies and your floatant and gadget needs. And it’s always fun to come in and wiggle one or two of Dan’s new creations in the Rod Room. If you’ve never had a chance to cast one of Dan’s Custom Beartooth Rod’s, you really should. They are tremendous rods. Each rod unique with all the custom handles and other components he has at his disposal. Be safe out there and stay cool.

Dries: Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan and Pale Olive #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan #16, Delektable Halo Caddis Emerger in Tan and Royal #16. Delektable Lil’ Chubby in Royal, Tan, Pink, and Goldrush #14-#16. Delektable Chubbyness in Royal, Root Beer, Cinnamon , and Purple/Black #12-#16. Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16. PMD Sparkle Dun #16. Morrish Hopper #12-#14 in Tan and Pink, Half Down Hopper #14, Thunder Thighs Hoppers #12 -#14.

Nymphs and Emergers: Formerly Known as Prince #14- #16, Prince Nymph #14-#16, Lightning Bugs Silver, Pearl, and Gold #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Spankers Silver and Gold #14 -#16, Delektable Hammerhead Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail #14-#18. Delektable Root Beer Float PMD #16. Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Olive, Brown, #8-#10.Delektable Mega Prince #8-#10. Psycho Prince Yellow or Purple #14 – #16. Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Miller Time #18. Split Back PMD #16. Lemon Drop #14 – #16. 

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double Olive/Black, Sheila’s Sculpin, Trevor’s Sculpin, McCune’s Sculpin, Zonkers in Copper and Silver. Sculpzillas in Black, Olive and White. 

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.

June 13th – 19th | Madison River Fishing Report

The official start of Summer is still a week out, but it sure has felt like Summer here in the Madison Valley over the last several days. The Summer hatches have begun. Salmon Flies are currently scattered from Ennis up to Storey Ditch. The Caddis activity is building daily. Little Yellow Stones and PMD’s are showing up as well. It’s a great time to be spending time on the Madison to be sure.

If you are a Dry or Die Angler there are fish to be had throughout the day if your patient, rotating your bugs and getting that dry in front of the right trout. But the consistency isn’t quite there yet. Most of us at the shop are having our best success with the Dries in the evenings. That magic couple of hours before dark as the sun begins to leave the water. Anglers are also having success using a Dry Dropper Rig out there with the lower flows.

The Nymphing over the last several days has been good to excellent. Large Stonefly Nymphs, Rubberlegs, Prince Nymphs, and Emergent Caddis Pupae, PMD Nymphs, and Perdigons are all fishing well subsurface.

The Streamer game has been best for the early risers and those out on the river late. Some days its been good and others a bit slow. When you catch a day with some clouds though the trout will chase.

Dries: Delektable Secret Stone in Royal, Goldenstone, and UV Salmonfly and UV Orange, Water Walkers, Delektable Mega Chubbyness in Royal, UV Salmonfly and UV Orange. Delektable 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush. Delektable Lil’ Chubbies in Purple/Black, Royal. Carlson’s Purple Craze, Delektable Elk Hair CDC Caddis, Delektable Twisted Baby Brown #10 for the Big Bomber Sedge Caddis.

Nymphs: Prince Nymph, Formerly Known as Prince, #12-#16. Delektable Lil’ Spankers in Silver, Pheasant Tail #14 – #18. Delektable Hammerheads in Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail. #14-#16. Delektable Jig Head Spankers in Miller Time, Pheasant Tail, Orange, Silver #12-#16. Lemon Drops #14-#16. Pat’s Rubberlegs in Black , Brown/Black, Brown #4-#10. Delektable Guide Stones #6. Delektable Mega Prince #6-#10. Delektable Stonefly Candy #6-#8. Perdigons #16-#18.

Streamers: Delektable Single and Double Screamers in Black/Olive, Brown/Yellow, Natural. Dungeons and Mini Dungeons. Zirdles, Zonkers, Sparkle Minnows.

As always we invite you to come visit us at Beartooth Flyfishing. We are well stocked on flies and tackle. We are always happy to share our knowledge of the area fisheries and help you all in any way we can. Stay safe out there and Tight Lines everyone!

June 6th – 12th | Madison River Fishing Report

Runoff continues to taper down here in the valley. Water clarity is still best above the confluence with the West Fork. But clarity is plenty good throughout the length of the river for some solid fishing throughout. Caddis have begun to emerge although the trout aren’t keyed in on them just yet. The big Stonefly Nymphs are becoming active and moving and we hope to see the big bugs on the water possibly as early as mid to later half of the coming week. Flows now are right around 1,000 cfs river wide.

We’ve seen some days this week where it’s been better to be out early and others where it’s been better in the afternoon. Nymphing is still you’re best bet if you’re out searching for numbers. But if you’re patient, and get a dry in just the right spot you can be rewarded. Streamers have been solid too especially with some cloud cover.

Nymphs: Delektable Guide Stones #6-#8, Delektable Mega Princes #6-#10, Delektable Hurless Stones #6-#10, Pat’s Rubber Legs #6-#8, Prince Nymphs #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Spankers #14-#18 in Silver, Red, Orange, Blue, and Pheasant Tail.  Shop Vacs, $3 dips, Lemon Drops #14-#18. Delektable Hammerheads #14-#16.

Dries: Delektable CDC Holographic Olive Caddis #14-#16, Delektable Halo #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Chubbies #14-#16. The Lil’ Chubbies are great for a dry dropper rig with a small nymph suspended. We’ve seen some good success the last hour of daylight with the dry dropper rig.

Streamers: Delektable Screamers Single or Articulated-Olive/Black, Natural, Brown/Yellow. Zirdles, Zonkers. Swinging some of the smaller streamers has been effective as well. Patterns such as Slumbusters and Sculpzillas have brought some nice trout to hand for myself in the evenings on the two hander.

With high temps and clearing water the Upper Madison should be a wonderful place to be over the next month. Be sure to get out there and enjoy some great weather in a beautiful place.