Madison river fishing guides Archives

October 25th-November 4th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Report

From Fall Sunshine Nirvana to Gail Force Winds Blizzard Winter! The Madison Valley did not disappoint and in full dramatic fashion changed on a dime. As the angler may shiver with the conditions above the fish below are unencumbered by the conditions and are feasting, hopefully on your shaking line!

We have seen consistent Stream flows the past two weeks with 780cfs at Kirby and 1020cfs at Cameron. The water color has been ranging on the glacial green variety (a downright beautiful sight to behold) and fish have started to stack up like cordwood in holes about the river. While the conditions can be severe this time of the year, the fishing can still be very productive in the heat of the day and fishing with the wind at your back.

Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are busy replenishing our fly tying and cold weather gear inventory! We have some new sale items and are still serving coffee and at request hot cocoa or tea to warm you up from the outside chill! We have changed our hours from 9:00AM to 5:00PM and will be closed on Sundays and Mondays through the winter months. Come on in for a chat and some retail therapy, it’s just the perfect time!

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince Standard and Flashback #8-#10. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Silver, Red, Blue #16-#20; Delektable Tungsten Bead Head Big Spanker Warrior #18; Rainbow Warrior #18-#20. Zebra Midge Black, Red, Olive #12-#20; Formerly Known as Prince #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #10-#12; Worm Imitations #4-#12; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #10-#12; Splitback Baetis #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Blue, Red, Pheasant Tail, #16-#20; Delektable Tungsten Jig Spanker Red, Silver, Pheasant Tail, Holo Black #18; Geppert’s Master and Mega Emerger #18; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black, Brown #16-#18; Pheasant Tail Nymphs #14-#18; Copper John’s Copper, Red #16-#18; Lil’ Green Machine Pheasant Tail, Olive #18-#20; Shop Vac’s #16-#20; Three Dollar Dips Brown, Red, Crystal #16-#18; Egg Patterns Various Colors #6.

Dries: Parachute Adams #18-#22; Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-#20; Griffith’s Gnat #18-#20; Brook’s Sprout Midge Olive #20; Delektable Sparkle Bug Light Olive, Dark Olive, Gray #18; Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Squeezer BWO #18-#20; Brook’s Sprout Emerger BWO #18-#22; Snowshoe Baetis #18-#22; Sparkle Dun BWO #18-#22.

Streamers: Delektable Single/SS/Double Black, Olive, Olive/Black, Badger, Olive/White, Yellow, White; Galloup’s Dungeon and Mini Dungeons Black, Olive, Cream, White; Galloup’s Boogie Man Black, Olive, White; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow #6; Zonkers Copper, Pearl, Olive, Natural #6-#8; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #6-#8; Sculpzilla Olive, Black, White #4-#8.

October 17th- October 23rd, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Timing is key to many of our endeavors in life, especially in Fishing! We are all impacted by choices of when to cast, when to set the hook, when to use certain Flies, and when to let your Fly swing or drag a little bit longer. These essential moments can mean a glorious catch or a devastating miss. As we roll into true Fall here in the Madison Valley nature has her own timing, just perfect! This last week was just perfect, beautiful weather for the first part of the week and then a gradual turn to rain/snow by the end of the week. If your timing was right, you got the last of the nice weather this week, by Sunday it has become a full Winter wonderland in the Valley! Even so, with this turn of the weather you may have your timing dead on for turning the head of that once in a lifetime Trout!

We have seen consistent flows this week sitting at 830cfs at Kirby and 980cfs at Cameron. Fishing has been consistently great with a Streamer and small dropper combo and various Nymphing combos have been effective also. This coming week is full of cloudy days with mixed rain/snowy conditions, which could be very favorable for some serious BWO action. If you choose to brave the great white North this coming week and need some layering gear to keep you warm, stop on down to Beartooth Flyfishing, we got the gear to keep you going!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Purple, Blue, Silver, Red Gold #14-#20; Geppert’s Black Machine #18; RS2 Olive #16-#20; Tungsten Split-Case BWO #20; BH Mo River Red, Black #18-#20; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #16-#18; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20; Sawyer PT Copper, Red #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleggs Black, Brown/Black, Olive/Brown #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince Standard Flashback #10; Juju Baetis #18-#20; GB Bubbleback Emerger PT #16-#18; Delektable Hurless Grey, Olive #10; BH Jig Head Pearl, Silver Lightning Bug #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #14; and Delektable Orange Juice Caddis Emerger, Lime Juice #14-#16.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Double/Single Screamer Olive/White, Black, Yellow, White, Badger, Olive/Black, Brown/Yellow #6; Murphey’s Miracle Mile Olive Peanut #4, CH Zuddler White, Olive, Black #4-#8; Lady Gaga White, Rainbow #6; Rubber Bugger Halloween #6; Zonker Natural, Copper, Olive, Black #4-#6; Sculpin “The One” #6; Yo Dali Llama Olive/White, Black/Olive, Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; and Silky Kitty Olive, White, Black #6.

Dries: Hi-Vis Parachute BWO #20; October Caddis PMX Orange #12; Parachute Adams #18-#20; B’s Emerging Peacock Caddis #16; Delektable BWO Squeezer #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-#20; Delektable Twisted Baby Orange/Brown, Tan/Brown #12-#16; BWO Para Sipper #20-#22; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Pink, Royal #16-#18; and Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16.

October 10th – October 16th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

We begin our slow wave Goodbye! to an incredible Native Summer. Nights have begun to get cooler and it’s taking longer for the sun to warm the Valley during the day. True Fall is starting to set in and while this next week starts with the last of our gorgeous sunny days expect snow by the end of the week. Even with the drop in temps, fish eat every day. The chill may challenge the angler but the bite is still on! Stream Flows have been consistent this week; 760cfs at Kirby and 950cfs at Cameron and are expected to continue this way for the upcoming week.

We saw some Dry fly action this past week, on and off with Ants and Hoppers (the last we may see with the cold temps at night) and Trico, Midge and Mayfly activity. The clear sunny days have dampened some of our Fall hatches but look for the overcast days bringing BWO and October Caddis action! Nymphing and Streamer fishing has been the most productive especially Nymphs on the drag through shallow water. If you come across rising, tailing fish and they just aren’t interested in your fly; go smaller (#20-#22) it can prove very successful to get those picky Trout!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Purple, Blue, Black, Silver, Gold #14-#20; Geppert’s Green Machine #18; RS2 Olive #16-#20; Tungsten Split-Case BWO #20; BH Mo River Red, Black #18-#20; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #16-#18; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20; Sawyer PT Copper, Red #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleggs Black, Brown/Black, Olive/Brown #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince Standard Flashback #10; Juju Baetis #18-#20; GB Bubbleback Emerger PT #16-#18; Delektable Hurless Grey, Olive #10; BH Jig Head Pearl, Silver Lightning Bug #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #14; and Delektable Orange Juice Caddis Emerger, Lime Juice #14-#16.

Dries: Half Drowned Moth, Hopper, Caddis #16; Fat Frank Olive, Tan #12-#14; Hi-Vis Parachute BWO #20; October Caddis PMX Orange #12; Delektable Flying Ant Minimal Cinnamon #16-#18; Parachute Adams #18-#20; B’s Emerging Peacock Caddis #16; Delektable BWO Squeezer #18-#20; Delektable Twisted Baby Orange/Brown, Tan/Brown #12-#16; BWO Para Sipper #20-#22; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Pink, Royal #16-#18; and Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Double/Single Screamer Olive/White, Black, Yellow, White, Badger, Olive/Black, Brown/Yellow #6; Murphey’s Miracle Mile Olive Peanut #4, CH Zuddler White, Olive, Black #4-#8; Lady Gaga White, Rainbow #6; Rubber Bugger Halloween #6; Zonker Natural, Copper, Olive, Black #4-#6; Sculpin “The One” #6; Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Black/Olive, Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; and Silky Kitty Olive, White, Black #6.

October 3rd-October 9th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Fall is just so very sweet in the Madison Valley! This year is shaping up to be gorgeous weather wise, sunny with the mid 60’s to low 70’s! The fishing has just been splendid this past week, nymphing being the most productive means of daily catching. However, the overcast days have been accompanied by Black Caddis, October Caddis and BWO’s. Also don’t count the Hopper and Ant out yet, they are still out and working. Dry and Emerger/Nymph combos have been productive, especially if you stick to your guns and fish it consistently. Trout have begun to attack aggressively to a stripped Streamer and are holding in shallower water.

The water flows have stayed consistent this week, 760cfs @ Kirby and 940cfs @ Cameron. These lower flows keep the fish spread out throughout the River. So be sure to try a variety of locations so you are fishing water all over, especially in shallow runs (big trout are hiding out looking to eat a tasty Lil’ Juvenile)!

As always, have fun out there, fish hard as Winter is coming but hopefully not too soon!!!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Purple, Blue, Black, Gold #16-#20; Geppert’s Green Machine #18; RS2 Olive #16-#20; Tungsten Split-Case BWO #20; BH Mo River Black #18-#20; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #16-#18; Zebra Midge Red, Black #18-#20; Delektable Orange Juice Caddis Emerger, Lime Juice #14-#16; Delektable Worm Red, Wine #16; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Brown/Black, Olive/Brown #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince Standard Flashback #10; Delektable Hurless Flashback Gray, Olive #10; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; GB Bubbleback Emerger PT #16-#18; Sawyer Pheasant Tail Copper, Red #16-#18; Juju Flashback Baetis #18-#20; and Formerly Known As Prince #18-#14.

Dries: Delektable Flying Ant Minimal Cinnamon #16-#18; Half Drowned Moth, Hopper, Caddis #16; Hi-Vis Parachute BWO #20; Delektable BWO Squeezer #18-#20; October Caddis PMX Orange #12; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16; Parachute Adams #18-#20; Fat Frank Olive, Tan #12-#14; Delektable Twisted Baby Orange/Brown, Tan/Brown #12-#16; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Pink, Royal #16-#18; Parachute Adams #18-#20; B’s Emerging Peacock Caddis #16; BWO Para-Sipper #20-#22; and McKnight Tan Thunder Hopper #12-#14.

Streamers: Lady Gaga White, Rainbow #2; Murphey’s Miracle Mile Olive Peanut #4; BH Flashabugger Black #8; Yo’ Dali Llama Black/Olive, Olive/White, Tan/Natural #6; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive #4; Kyle’s Egg Head Olive/Yellow, Natural #6; Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper #6; Zonker Natural/Tan, Natural, Natural/Copper, Dark Olive #6-#8; Delektable Single/Double/SS Olive/White, Black/Olive, Purple/Black, Black, White, Yellow, Badger #6; and Silvey’s Sculpin Leech Olive, Tan #4.

September 5th – September 11th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As of Saturday September 10^th, Hoot Owl has been lifted on the Lower Madison River.

Montana FWP are conducting their Fall Shocking of the Upper Madison River on the following dates:

Pine Butte: September 8^th, 9^th, 12^thand September 19^th-September 21^st

Varney: September 14^th-16^th and September 22^nd, 23^rd and 26^th

Fall Glory is peeking its beautiful head out this week and what a welcome relief!! We started the week out with temperatures in the low 90’s but by Thursday we dipped down into the low 70’s to low 60’s during the day. We saw large wind gusts in the Valley late this week which brought some rainy weather with it cooling and reviving the parched Prairie. Additionally, this week we saw a change in Streamflow’s as the weather cooled, at Kirby we started the week at 1,070cfs with a drop mid-week down to 930cfs; at Cameron we started the week at 1,150cfs with a drop mid-week down to 1,020cfs.

So, what do all these changes mean for the Fishing? The Big Trout are hunting for late Season Flies & Fish, hunting hard! Will your Fly be the one they set their sights on? Let’s hope so! The Dry Fly scene is dwindling daily, however, there still has been an on and off Hopper bite, very consistent Ant action, a plethora of Dragonfly hatches and the first few sightings of Fall Baetis. A Hopper and small bead head or Ant dropper, Streamer with quick initial twitch/strip and straight Nymphing with smaller Stonefly and smaller bead heads have all been productive ways to catch fish this week.

For this coming week we will see some warmer temperatures, mid 80’s, returning for a few days and then cooling off to the low 70’s to low 60’s with a promise of rain. Grab your streamer box, Gore-Tex and thermos and prepare for that 2-footer to emerge from the depths and grab your fly!!!

Dries: White Cloud Hopper Tan, Peach, Olive #12-#14; Dornan’s Water Walker Pink #12; Transparent Ant Black/Red #16; Delektable Flying Ant Cinnamon, Red, Black, Purple #14-#18; Micro Water Walker Peanut #16; Delektable Royal Munchkin #16-#20; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Olive, Rainbow, UV Cinnamon, Royal #14-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive Brown, UV Cinnamon, UV Purple #14-#16; and Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Halo Green, Purple #16-#18.

Nymphs: Geppert’s Crystal Dip Olive, Red, Black #18; Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #16-#18; JH BH Iron Lotus #16-#18; Formerly Known As Prince #16-#18; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Pheasant Tail, Gold, Blue, Red, Olive Green, Purple #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleggs Black/ Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #8-#14; Lightning Bug Gold, Silver, Purple #18-#20; Geppert Mega Emerger #16-#18; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #18-#20; and RS2 Olive #28-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8; Galloup’s Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8; Heavy Metal #6; Bow River Bugger Olive #8; Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8; Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8; Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4; Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6; and BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

August 29th-September 4th 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Is it hot or is it not? As we look across the world, heat is ravaging many parts of it in a very challenging way. And yes, we are most certainly feeling it here, but heat can be relative especially while speaking to our wayward travelers visiting our beautiful valley. We are blessed to have a short window of “hot” weather followed by cool evenings and mornings! We are also blessed to have guaranteed river flows and a team of people performing daily monitoring of our river and adjusting flows to help protect our treasured resource! This week and next week we will continue to see temperatures in the high 80’s to low 90’s but this can significantly help with Hopper and Ant fishing during the warmest parts of the day!!

Last week Streamflow’s were 1,070cfs at Kirby and 1,180cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week, a midweek it was increased to 1,200cfs at Kirby and 1,300cfs at Cameron and then a drop to 1,070cfs at Kirby and 1,210cfs at Cameron by the end of the week. With the up and down changes in flows it can change where fish have been eating, while it is lower you will see more action throughout the river but with a rise you may start to see more action into the banks and in slower water.

This coming week we should see continued Ant and Hopper fishing, September Stone activity (Dry and Subsurface) and Trout are putting on their feedbags for the long winter approaching, so get out there and serve them something tasty!!!

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16; Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16; Fat Frank Peach, Tan #14; Panty Dropper Hopper Tan, Yellow, Pink #12-#14; Transparent Ant Black/Red #16; Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Yellow, Tan, Pink #12-#14; Micro Water Walker Pink #14-#16; Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #16-#18; Parachute Adams #10-#12; Dave’s Hopper #14; Delektable Chubbyness Royal, Cinnamon, Rootbeer, and Olive Brown #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, Tan, Cinnamon, Rainbow, UV Olive #16-#18; Papa Humpy Royal Red #16; Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan, Olive, Dark Olive, Grey #18.

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Silver, Gold, Pheasant Tail, Red, Olive Green #14-#20; Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #18; Wilcox’s Little Green Machine PT #18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; RS2 Olive #16-#18; BH Rainbow Warrior #16-#18; Wire Worm Red/Orange #8; Pat’s Mr. Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12; Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive PT, PT, and Warrior #16-#18; BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#20; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black #8-#10; BH Shop Vac #16-#18; BH Gilled Flashback Pheasant Tail #16; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8; Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8; Heavy Metal #6; Bow River Bugger Olive #8; Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8; Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8; Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4; Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6; BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

August 22nd-August 28th 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As School begins to start again and another epic Summer on the Madison River is recorded in the books, the parable of the Ant and the Grasshopper comes to mind. Are you the Ant or the Grasshopper? Have you studied the River, learned the holes, prepared yourself for big Fall Trout?? While you ponder these Big Life questions, go out and fish those Ants and Hoppers!

Rainshowers and low 70’s to high 80’s temperatures have certainly made the fishing better this week, add a little wind to push those Hoppers and Ants on the water and fishing nirvana follows! Streamflows this week were 1,320cfs at Kirby, 1,440cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,060cfs at Kirby, 1,180cfs at Cameron by the end of the week. The drop in flow and air temperature has contributed to more productive Dry Fly fishing!

This week we would also like to Thank and Congratulate the Ennis Chamber of Commerce and contributors on a job very well done with the Madison River Annual Flyfishing Festival! What a great way for avid and novice flyfishing people to come together and share fishing knowledge and promote the sport that we love!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Silver, Gold, Pheasant Tail, Red, Olive Green #14-#20, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #18, Wilcox’s Little Green Machine PT #18, Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18, RS2 Olive #16-#18, BH Rainbow Warrior #16-#18, Wire Worm Red/Orange #8, Pat’s Mr. Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive PT #16-#18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#20, Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black #8-#10, BH Shop Vac #16-#18, BH Gilled Flashback Pheasant Tail #16, Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8, Heavy Metal #6, Bow River Bugger Olive #8, Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8, Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4, Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6, Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6, BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Fat Frank Peach, Tan #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Tan, Yellow, Pink #12-#14, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Yellow, Tan, Pink #12-#14, Mircowater Walker Pink #14-#16. Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #16-#18, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Dave’s Hopper #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, Tan, Cinnamon, Rainbow #16-#18, Papa Humpy Royal Red #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan, Olive, Dark Olive, Grey #18.

August 15th-August 21st 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Change is inevitable; from the weather, day to day activities, life and most importantly fishing!! The true test of any angler is their ability to change with the conditions presented to them. If fishing is challenging, change flies and change your presentation. Be creative!! As we are approaching the end of the summer hatches become smaller and with warmer temperatures hatches are best later in the day or early in the morning.

The weather this week was in the high 80’s with a small reprieve of rain and cooler temperatures by the end of the week. Stream flows this week were 1,200cfs at Kirby, 1,310cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week and a slight uptick by the end of the week to help combat rising water temperatures with flows sitting at 1,310cfs at Kirby, 1,460cfs at Cameron by Sunday.

Hoppers and Ants have made there way to water, the most productive action has been seen between McAtee and Ennis. Streamers and nymphing have been producing some very nice larger fish and lots of big smiles!

Dries: Grillo’s Hippie Stopper Royal, Purple #16-#18, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Delektable Flying Ant Purple #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive, Tan #16-#18, Fat Frank Peach #14, Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink, Tan #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink, Tan #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Micro Water Walker Pink, Tan #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Chubby Olive, Tan, Cinnamon, Royal, Rainbow #14-#18.

Nymphs: Wire Worm Red #6-#8, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive Pheasant Tail #14-#18, Formerly Known as Prince #18, Pat’s Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Pheasant Tail, Olive, Red, Gold, Silver #14-#18, Crack Back Bullet Jig Hook Cream #16-#18, Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#18, BH Mo’ River Pheasant Tail #16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, BH Serendipity Rainbow, Dark Olive #14-#16.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple , White, Yellow, Olive #8, Yo Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive, Black #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive, White, Black #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural, Olive, Black, Yellow #6-#8.

August 8th-August 14th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Hoppers, o’ Hoppers where for art thou??? We may not see you, but the fishermen have been creating the hatch and the Fish have been starting to eat!! They seem as anxious as we are for the hatch to kick in fully! The most consistent action has been seen between McAtee Bridge to Ennis, however later this week the Fish have been starting to swipe at the Hopper up to Windy Point!

Temperatures have been in the high 80’s-low 90’s this week, we have seen some reprieve from the heat with afternoon/evening rain showers and cooling nightly temps. The river flows have continued to drop this week 1,350cfs at Kirby and 1,500cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,200cfs at Kirby and 1,330cfs at Cameron by the end the week.

Dry fly fishing has been coming on stronger during the day with Ants, Beetles, and some Hoppers, Nocturnals and Caddis have been the hits this week. Streamers with a Dropper fished with a nymphing set up (strike indicator) and completed dead drifted and tight lined have also been very productive. Nymphing has been productive especially if you switch your manner of presentation, with some days great for dragging, while others are best with a perfect float. As fishing can be so drastically different from day to day, switching your flies often (if not getting action) and changing your presentation and location on the River Center to banks and back can help produce high catch days and big smiles!!

Dries: Grillo’s Hippie Stopper Royal, Purple #16-#18, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Delektable Flying Ant Purple #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive, Tan #16-#18, Fat Frank Peach #14, Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Micro Water Walker Pink #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Gray, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16.

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Gold, Silver #14-#16, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten Big Spanker Red Headed #16, BH Mo’ River Pheasant Tail #16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, BH Serendipity Rainbow, Dark Olive #14-#16.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive, Black #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Shelia Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8, Silk Kitty Olive #6.

August 2nd-August 7th | Upper Madison Fishing Report

As of August 2nd, Hoot Owl have begun from 8-Mile Fishing Access to Ennis Reservoir. This means fishing from 2PM to Midnight in this area is prohibited.

Fishing is hot and cold these days with the temps changing but fishing is always better than another day at work! 🙂 Conditions have been changing this week with the temperatures cooling from the mid 90’s the week prior to mid to high 80’s most of the week with a dramatic shift on Friday & Saturday to mid 70’s to mid 60’s and a massive rainstorm, additionally the “W” Factor in the Valley has returned with the incoming weather! To add to the changes this week NorthWestern Energy raised flows the end of last week to combat the rising temperatures, which has been successful into this week, and while you may have been rocking in the middle River last week you may want to stick to the banks as the fish tend to migrate to the slower water! The river flows this week started at 1,650cfs at Kirby and finished the week at 1,370cfs; at Cameron the week started with 1,890cfs and dropped down to 1,570cfs by the end of the week.

With the warmer temperatures this week fishing has been best in the early morning with Streamers (especially with a dropper), Nocturnals, Midges, and Tricos. During Mid-day there has been some action with a Chubby, Hopper, Ant or Beetle pattern. Nymphing has still been the most productive means of fishing throughout the day.

For the future we will continue to see warmer temperatures for the next few weeks with the promise of rain in the evenings! At Beartooth Flyfishing to adjust to the current weather conditions, our store hours will be 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM for the next few weeks!!

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Halo Olive, Silver, Pheasant Tail #16-#18, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten BH Big Spanker Warrior #14-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, Glassy Brassy Zebra Midge #20.

Dries: Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Parachute Adams Sparkle Purple #14-#16, Micro Water Walker Peanut #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Delektable Halo Royal #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Tan, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Rainbow #14-#18, Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive/Brown, UV Cinnamon #14-#16, Fat Frank Peach #14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Purple Cinnamon, Holo Olive #14-#18, Snowshoe Trico #20, Etha-Wing Trico Black #20.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Sheila Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Jtd Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive #6, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8.