July 8th-July 14th, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on July 14, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

The Heat in On this week and the 10 day forecast predicts it won’t be letting up this coming week either. Hoot Owl is in effect on the Upper Madison River from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake which translates that this stretch of river is closed to fishing from 2:00pm to Midnight. Our temperatures as of this writing are staying good on the rest of the Upper Madison and we should be in the clear during this heatwave. Thankfully we have the Dam Keepers with Northwestern Energy at Hebgen Dam that are diligently watching temperatures and managing flows appropriately to protect our precious resource. We do have Hoot Owl restrictions throughout the state on numerous rivers; the link following has information about the latest restrictions, https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures.

Streamflows this week started at 1,150cfs @ Kirby and 1,450cfs @ Cameron, a rise starting Tuesday to 1,300cfs at Kirby and 1590cfs at Cameron and finishing off the week at 1,310cfs @ Kirby and 1,530cfs @ Cameron.

Fishing this week has been very consistent with Nymphs and Emergers. The Dries (especially if you’re fishing the right combo) have been also quite productive. Caddis, PMDs, Summer Stones and some Hopper action has been the ticket! As the heat continues the upcoming week, Hatches will be starting earlier in the day and Trout will holding in the deeper cooler water during the day.

With the hotter conditions continuing this coming week, remember to use heavier tippet to bring your trout in quickly, handle your trout as short as possible and resuscitate your catch in the water before releasing. Whenever possible keep the trout wet and in the water. Also hydrate yourself, you can never have too much water when temperatures are climbing in the 90’s!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Gold, Silver, Olive Green or PT #18-#14; B.H. Lightning Bug Gold or Silver #14-#18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Brown, Pearl or Black #14-#16; Split Case PMD #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black #6-#10; Delektable Prince Brandon #8-#16; B.H. Montana Bullet Black #18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown #8-#10; One Man Party Caddis #16; Electric Caddis Olive #16; Delektable TSBH Big Spanker Warrior #16-#18; BH Tungsten Jig FB Pheasant Tail #14-#18; Jig Duracell Copper Top #16; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Miller Time, PT, Pale Olive PMD or Holo Gold #16-#18; Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #8-#10; Three Dollar Dip Olive or Brown #16.

Dries: Z-Caddis Olive #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush, Royal or UV Caddis Green #14-#18; Parachute Caddis Tan #14-#16; PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #14-#16; Cornfed Caddis Tan or Olive #16; Missing Link Caddis Amber #16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Olive or Cinnamon #16-#18; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Caddis Green, UV Olive, Royal or UV Cinnamon #14-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Olive/Brown, Rootbeer, Royal or UV Cinnamon #12-#16; Hi-Vis Slickwater Caddis #16-#18; King’s Wedgewing PMD #16; Elk Hair Caddis Black #18; CDC Dun PMD #16; PMD Spinner #16; Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink or Tan #12-#14; Morrish’s Hopper Pink or Green #12-#14; Juicy Hopper Pink #12.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White, Black/Olive, Yellow, Olive/Yellow #6; Zonker Dark Olive, Natural Pearl or Natural Copper #6-#8; Shelia Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; JR’s Conehead Streamer #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8; Mini-Loop Sculpin Olive #6; Fish Whacker Mini Olive #6; Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin or Smoke #6.

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July 1st-July 7th, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on July 7, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

We’ve celebrated our Montana Independence this week on the water with Fun, Sun, Bugs, and of course our Wild Trout. The weather this week was just perfect not too hot, cooler in the evenings and the hatches have just been epic!

Streamflows this week started at 1,160cfs @ Kirby and 1,650cfs @ Cameron and lowering to 1,100cfs @ Kirby and 1,430cfs @ Cameron by the end of the week. Temperatures have been fluctuating from 65 degrees at the peak of the day and dropping to 55 degrees at night. Later in the week afternoon and evening temperatures were much warmer and the start of the next week will be warmer again.

The Catch this week has been primarily on the Nymphs, however, the Dry or Die have been rewarded plenty! The hatches are moving up the River, by the end of the week Salmon Flies have been spotted starting between the lakes. The Caddis and PMD hatch has been going strong throughout the upper River. Even though the hatch may have moved on from the area you are fishing for the day it’s worth it to throw on a Salmon Fly or Goldenstone as the fish eat them a week before the hatch and a week after.

As always, the pictures tell the best story. Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are open Everyday 7 AM to 6 PM, stop on by for the day-to-day report and of course the best free coffee in the Valley.

Dries: Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush, Royal or UV Salmon Fly #6-#12; Delektable Chubbyness UV Purple, Olive Brown, Royal, or Rootbeer #10-#16; Super Chernobyl Brown #12; Dornan’s Water Walker Peanut #10-#12; Morrish’s Fluttering Stone Salmon Fly #6; Delektable Secret Stone UV Orange, UV Salmon Fly, UV Goldenstone or Royal #6-#10; Juicy Stone Salmon Fly #6; Delektable 2Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush or Royal #10-#14; Delektable Twisted Sister Orange/Brown #4-#8; Delektable Twisted Baby Yellow with Red Butt or Brown #12-#16; Cornfed Caddis CDC Olive or Tan #16; Elk Hair Caddis Tan or Olive #14-#16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Holo Olive or Purple #14-#16; Bloom’s Parachute Caddis Tan #14; Delektable Halo Royal or Tan #14-#16; Adams Split Winged Parachute #14-#16; Hi-Vis Rusty Spinner #14-#16; PMD Spinner #16; Guide Winna Spinner #14-#16; Carlson’s Purple Craze #12-#16; Lil’ Hotties #14-#16; Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive and Tan #16.

Nymphs: Formerly Known as Prince #14-#16; Psycho Prince Purple, Caddis Green or Yellow #12-#16; Lemon Drop #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT, Silver, Red, Blue or Gold #14-#18; Geppert’s Gold Lightning Bug #18; Tungsten BH Electric Caddis #14-#16; BH Shop Vac Olive or Brown #14-#16; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #14-#18; Jig Baby Sally #14-#16; Delektable Hammerhead Jig Hook GTBH Hare’s Ear, Holo Green or Prince #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black/Brown or Black #8-#12; Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Miller Time, Holo Pink, Holo Olive or PT #14-#18; Split Back PMD #16-#18; Delektable Prince Brandon #8-#16; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Silver or Pearl #14-#16; Tungsten Split Case PMD #16; BH Tungsten Jig FB Pheasant Tail #14-#18; Tung Drop Yellow Sally #14-#16; Delektable Kaboom Stone #6-#10; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Brown, Black or Pearl #14-#18; Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#16; Delektable Sure Strike TCBH Yellow/Peacock or Sally #12-#16; Napoleon Jig #16; Delektable Rootbeer Float Yellow #16.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White, Black/Olive, Yellow, Olive/Yellow #6;  Zonker Dark Olive or Natural #6; Shiela Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; JR’s Conehead Streamer #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8; Mini-Loop Sculpin Olive #6; Fish Whacker Mini Olive #6; Delektable Screamer Double Olive/White or Black/Olive Gold #6; Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin or Smoke #6.

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June 24th-June 30th, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on June 30, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

We are experiencing epic conditions that are producing the Perfect Hatch! Lower Stream Flows, and Warm temperatures have created a perfect environment for all the hatches. This week there was a swarm of people chasing the hatches but as always, the River after 5pm is empty of boats but full of Trout that are chasing that evening rise!

Streamflows this week started at 1,090cfs @ Kirby and 1,650cfs @ Cameron with a rise on Thursday from the rainstorms to 1,240cfs @ Kirby and 2,000cfs @ Cameron and a drop by the end of the week to 1,150cfs @ Kirby and 1,700cfs @ Cameron. This week we saw comfortable Weather and some uncomfortable afternoons with Big “W” factor and some Wild Lightning. Fishing was still awesome for those that could punch through the wind and twitch those hot Dries!

With the flows down and the hatches abundant this week the key was finding the Bug that they were eating the most at each time of the day. From Varney to Lyons Bridge Salmon Fly hatches could be found popping up throughout the week. Goldenstones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Green Drakes, and a multitude of Caddis were used and were hot Bugs for most of the day. A Salmon Fly followed by a Caddis, PMD dry or Nymph Emerger was quite productive. Nymphing has still been consistent with a Stone/Caddis, Sally/PMD or Goldenstone/PMD combo being the best. The Streamer bite is still active for some big Trout eats but hard to compete with the smorgasbord of hatches right now.

In the upcoming week we should still be seeing a lot of hatches happening and with the hotter Weather, mornings and evenings will be potentially hot action with a possible dip midday. Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are open Everday from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Come on down for a free coffee and an epic retail adventure!

Dries: Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush, Royal or UV Salmonfly #6-#12; Delektable Chubbyness UV Purple, Olive Brown, Royal, or Rootbeer #10-#16; Super Chernobyl Brown #12; Dornan’s Water Walker Peanut #10-#12; Morrish’s Fluttering Stone Salmon Fly #6; Delektable Secret Stone UV Orange, UV Salmon Fly, UV Goldenstone, or Royal #6-#10; Juicy Salmon Fly #6; Delektable 2Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush, or Royal #10-#14; Delektable Twisted Sister Orange/Brown #4-#8; Delektable Twisted Baby Yellow with Red Butt, or Brown #12-#16; Cornfed Caddis CDC Olive or Tan #16; Elk Hair Caddis Tan or Olive #14-#16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Olive or Purple #14-#16; Bloom’s Parachute Caddis Tan #14; Delektable Halo Royal, or Tan #14-#16; Adams Split Winged Parachute #14-#16; Hi-Vis Rusty Spinner #14-#16; PMD Spinner #16; Guide Winna Spinner #14-#16; Carlson’s Purple Craze #12-#16; Lil’ Hotties #14-#16.

Nymphs: Formerly Known as Prince #14-#16; Psycho Prince Purple, or Yellow #12-#16; Lemon Drop #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT, Silver, Red, Blue, or Gold #14-#18; Geppert’s Gold Lightning Bug #18; BH Shop Vac Olive, or Brown #14-#16; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #14-#18; Jig Baby Sally #14-#16; Delektable Hammerhead Jig Hook GTBH Hare’s Ear, Holo Green or Prince #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black/Brown or Black #8-#12; Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Miller Time, Holo Gold, Holo Olive or PT #14-#18; Tungsten BH Electric Caddis #14-#16; Delektable Prince Brandon #8-#16; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Silver or Pearl #14-#16; Tungsten Split Case PMD #16; BH Tungsten Jig FB Pheasant Tail #14-#18; Tung Drop Yellow Sally #14-#16; Delektable Kaboom Stone #6-#8; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Brown or Pearl #14-#18; Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#16; Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Yellow/Peacock or Sally #12-#16; Napoleon Jig #16; Delektable Rootbeer Float Yellow #16.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White, Black/Olive, Yellow, Olive/Yellow #6;  Zonker Dark Olive or Natural #6; Sheila Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; JR’s Conehead Streamer #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8; Mini-Loop Sculpin Olive #6; Fish Whacker Mini Olive #6; Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin or Smoke #6; Galloup’s Silky Kitty Tan, White or Black #6; Galloup’s Dungeon Mini or Regular Olive/Black, Purple/Black or White #6-#8.

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June 17th-June 23rd, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

It is Game On here on the Upper Madison River! The water has dropped and cleared, and the Big Bugs are here!! Most sightings of the infamous Salmon Fly this week have been from Valley Garden to Varney Bridge, however Caddis, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies & Goldenstones have been making appearances here and there throughout the whole Upper River.

Fishing this week has been productive on Nymphs, still a strong Streamer bite and of course the Dries (because why not?)! Stream flows this week started at 1,260cfs @ Kirby and 2,040cfs @ Cameron, dropping mid-week and leveling out to 2,040cfs @ Kirby and 1,650cfs @ Cameron by the end of the week. Clear shining days, albeit the start of the week with a June Snowstorm! Our hardy Fisherman braved the Storm and were rewarded with Big Fish while getting to wear winter garments and hand warmers in June!

These next couple weeks are supposed to be beautiful. We may see some afternoon thunderstorms but just wait an hour the Weather will change! Best to load up on those Salmon Flies, Caddis, Goldenstones, PMD’s & lovely Yellow Sallies! We are open here at Beartooth Flyfishing Everyday 7:30am to 5:30pm! We would Love to see you here during this special time of year! We are reviewing the people action and changing our schedule based upon demand.

Dries: Delektable Secret Stone Royal, UV Salmonfly, or UV Orange #8-#10; Delektable Mega Chubbyness Royal #8-#12; Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UV Goldenstone, UV Goldrush, UV Salmonfly or Royal #8-#12; Juicy Stone Salmonfly #6; Morrish Fluttering Stone Salmon Fly #6; Super Chernobyl Brown #12; Dornan’s Water Walker Peanut #10-#12; Delektable Twisted Baby Yellow with Red Butt #12-#14; Delektable Halo Peacock, Mo River, Tan or Royal #14-#16; Cornfed CDC Caddis Olive or Tan #16; Beck’s Polyfluff Caddis Tan #16; Etha Wing Caddis Olive #16; Delektable Twisted Baby Brown #12-#16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan or Olive #14-#16; Delektable Chubbyness Royal, Olive Brown or UV Goldrush #12-#16; Parachute Adams #14-#16; Purple Haze Parachute #14-#18.

Nymphs: Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black, Brown or Pearl #14-#16; Geppert’s Crystal Dip Crystal or Black #16; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Olive, Hare’s Ear or Prince #16-#14; Lightning Bug Silver or Gold #14-#16; Delektable FB Sparkle or Sparkle Kaboom Stone #10-#6; Pat’s Rubberlegs Orange/Brown, Black, Black/Brown #10-#4; Shop Vac Olive or Brown #16; Delektable Mega Prince STD #6-#8; Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #16-#14; Psycho Prince Green or Purple #16-#14; Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker PT, Holo Red, Holo Gold or Holo Olive #16-#14; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Blue or PT #16-#14; JH Napoleon #18-#16; Formerly Known as Prince #16-#12; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#10; Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Sally or Yellow Peacock #16-#14; Jig Baby Sally #12-#14.

Streamers: Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black/Olive, Yellow, Olive/Yellow #6;  Zonker Dark Olive or Natural #6; Shelia Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; Jr’s Conehead Streamer #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8-#4; Mini-Loop Olive #6; Fish Whacker Mini Olive #6; Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White or Black/Olive Gold #6; Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin, JJ or Smoke #6; Galloup’s Silky Kitty Tan, White or Black #6; Galloup’s Sex Dungeon Mini or Regular Olive/Black, Purple/Black or White #6-#8; Dali Llama Olive/White or Black/Olive #4; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive or Black #4.

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June 3rd-June 16, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

The only constant in this universe is change and the change has been epic the last two weeks on the Wild Upper Madison River. Hot days muddying up the water (on and off runoff), Snowstorms reminding us that Winter is always looming and crazy Streamer days; we have had a true Montana Spring.

Stream flows have fluctuated these 2 weeks from 1,370cfs @ Kirby and 2,140cfs @ Cameron the beginning of the week, topping to 1,940cfs @ Kirby and 3,530cfs @ Cameron and dropping gradually to the end of weeks to 1,370cfs @ Kirby and 2,020cfs @ Cameron. Throughout the runoff this year fishing was hot and cold from section to section on the River. The wade section of the River fished great throughout this year with Stoneflies and various small Nymphs because the fish were active and hungry.

Nymphing and Streamers have been the game as we wait for the hatches to begin. The Trout this year are healthier and bigger than we have seen in several years. The mild Winter has made a profound impact on our fishery, and we all are excited for the Dry Fly swarm to begin!! Look for Salmon Flies, Caddis and PMD’s this coming week with the warm Weather predicted for the future. Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are fully stocked, free coffee is always available, and the retail adventure is the absolute best!

Nymphs: Delektable Sparkle FB Kaboom Stone #6-#10; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Black/Brown #6-#10; Delektable Prince Brandon #8-#16; Psycho Prince Purple or Yellow #16-#14; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver or Gold #14-#16; Delektable Jig Hook GTBH Hammerhead Hare’s Ear #14-#18; Delektable Mega Prince Std or Std FB #10-#8; Wire Worm Red/Orange, Wine/Red or Orange #10-#4; Delektable Mr. Rubberlegs Goldenstone #8-#10; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black #14-#16; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Holo Red, Holo Orange, or PT #14-#18.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black/Olive, Yellow, Olive/Yellow #6;  Zonker Dark Olive or Natural #6; Shelia Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; Jr’s Conehead Streamer #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8; Mini-Loop Olive #6; Fish Whacker Mini Olive #6; Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White or Black/Olive Gold #6; Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin or Smoke #6; Galloup’s Silky Kitty Tan, White or Black #6; Galloup’s Sex Dungeon Mini or Regular Olive/Black, Purple/Black or White #6-#8.

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