July 15th-July 21st, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

I don’t think that the weather gods got the memo that the thermostat was left on too high! The heat wave continues this week and looks like it will next week as well. Regardless, the fishing has continued to be productive; our fishery is safe, the water is cool, and the fish are healthy!

Hoot Owl is still in effect on the Madison River from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake, Northwestern Energy Footbridge to the confluence with the Jefferson and from the Yellowstone National Park Boundary to Hebgen Reservoir. Full closure from Madison Dam below Ennis Lake to the Northwestern Energy Footbridge. There are numerous other rivers in the state that are being affected from the heat and have Hoot Owl restrictions or Closures in effect. For more information on closures, please visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures.

Stream flows this week started at 1,370cfs @ Kirby and 1,600cfs @ Cameron, an uptick on the 19th to 1,460cfs @ Kirby and 1,660cfs @ Cameron and another rise on the 21st to 1,560cfs @ Kirby and 1,730cfs @ Cameron. Our friends at Northwestern Energy are doing an excellent job monitoring and adjusting flows to keep our waters under that 70-degree mark and keeping our trout healthy and happy.

Fishing this week has been sporadic during the middle of the day, with better action during the lowlight hours. The mornings and evenings have been littered with consistent hatches of various Caddis, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and Nocturnal Stoneflies. Dries and Nymphs are fishing equally well. With the consistent warmer weather, we are beginning to see Terrestrial activity as well with Hoppers and Ants starting to come off. Bacon and eggs are back on the menu (Streamers and Trailing Worms) and have been fishing well on a tightlined or dead drifted setup, sometimes alternating the worm with a nymph behind them can be deadly also!

Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are open 6:30AM to 5:30PM Every day! Stop in or call for day to day conditions and fly reports!

Dries: Super Chernobyl Pink #12; Delektable Halo Royal, Tan or Peacock #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Caddis Green, Royal, UV Cinnamon or UV Olive #16-#18; Delektabe Lil’ Secret Goldrush or Royal #14-#18; Delektable Chubbyness UV Cinnamon, Royal or Rootbeer #10-#16; Dry Humper Royal Purple, Royal or Yellow #14-#16; Missing Link Caddis Amber #16; Bloom’s Parachute Caddis UV Tan or UV Olive #16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Purple, Cinnamon or Tan #16-#18; Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16; Guide Winna Spinner Rust #16; PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #14-#16; Thunder Thighs Hopper Tan, Yellow or Pink #12-#14; Morrish Hopper Green, Pink, or Tan #12-#14; Delektable Slammer Yellow or Cream #10-#14; Para Ant Black & Red #16; Delektable Flying Ant Red or Purple #16-#18.

Nymphs: Formerly Known as Prince #12-#16; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #16-#18; Delektable Prince Brandon #12-#16; BH Tungsten Jig FB Pheasant Tail #16-#18; BH Tungsten Jig Yellow Spot #18; Jig Duracell OG, Tan, or Copper Top #16; Pat’s Rubberleg Olive/Brown or Black/Brown #8-#12; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Miller Time, Holo Gold, PT, Holo Silver & Holo Pink #16-#18; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Silver, or Pearl #14-#18; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH UV Purple, Hare’s Ear or PT #16-#18; Delektable Rootbeer Float Yellow #16; Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14; Mo River Green #16; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black or Brown #14-#16; Geppert’s Crystal Dip Black or Crystal #16; Delektable Big Spanker Warrior #16-#18; Copper John Red or Chartreuse #14-#16; Delektable Hurless Nymph Olive FB #8-#10; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown or Black/Brown #8-#12; Lemon Drop #14-#16.

Streamers: Dali Llama Olive/White #6-#10; McCune’s Sculpin Olive or Tan #4-#8; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive or Natural #4;  Mini-Loop Sculpin Natural or Olive #6; Flash Fry Olive/Natural #6; Zonker Natural Pearl, Natural Copper Body, Natural Tan #6-#8; JR’s Conehead Streamer Olive #6; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White, Olive/Black in Gold or Olive #6; Galloup’s Cactus Wooly Sculpin Olive or Tan #6.

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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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