The Upper Madison is flowing at 
1030 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake, 1190 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch and 1220 at Varney Bridge. The forecast calls for some much needed scattered thunder storms over the next few days with night time low temps in the 40s. We’re looking forward to kicking the dry heat for a while.
Our best action lately has been on dry 
flies. Spruce moths, ants and grasshoppers are picking fish up throughout the river. For the hoppers I’ve been doing well a with peach or pink body color. Morrish hoppers, white clouds and yeti hoppers have been a few of my favorites. Delektable twisted X has been our go to spruce moth pattern with some of the bigger elk hairs or Goddards are doing the trick as well, most of the spruce moths will be found between Pine Butte and Palisades. Small 409’s, Hippie Stompers and Delektable flying ants are working well, ants are seeing the bulk of the action most days.
Nymphing is picking up after a bit of a 
tough week last week. The river isn’t handing fish out like it was in June and July but if you’re willing to work for them they’ll eat. Smaller Pat’s Rubberlegs in brown or olive/brown, Princes, Lightning Bugs and Silver Delektable Lil’ Spankers are all doing the job at the right time.
Streamer fishing is picking up and smaller 
sculpin patterns have been the ticket. Fish have been moving out from the banks and all around boulders. Morrish’s Sculpin, Trina’s Belly Dancer, Silvey’s Sculpin and The Delektable Screamer have all been getting some attention in addition to Shiela. Either dead drift them into boulder pockets or strip them off the bank and you should see some results.
It’s been a great season so far and we’re looking forward to what the rest of the summer brings! Be sure to call or stop by for ant more tips you may need.
Brian, Kevin, and the Delektable Crew
Thanks to everyone who
came out to the shop to support the children for our Montana Hope Project fundraiser, we had a very successful turn out and donations are still rolling in already exceeding last year’s totals! It was incredible to see so many of our friends come together for such a great cause. And the food was great! Also, thanks to Elle from Elles Belles for providing some incredible desserts. Yumm!
As we transition into August the fishing is 
doing exactly what you’d expect with terrestrials really starting to come into play. Fish are showing a serious interest in flies like the red Delektable Flying Ant, Yeager’s 409, Grillo’s royal Hippie Stomper and the Hi-Vis Foam Beetle. There are still some PMDs kickin’ around up river as well, fishing the spinners in the evening has produced some quality fish. Spruce Moths have also been picking up fish in the shape of Delektable Twisted X tan/brown or bigger tan Elk Hairs.
the Madison, bead heads work. Some of our most productive flies have been the Delektable C.D.C. Baby, flashback Hare’s Ears, Prince’s, Delektable Silver Lil’ Spankers, Lightning Bugs and smaller Olive/Brown Pat’s Rubberlegs. The tail end of the ten day forecast looks like it’s going to be cooling off a bit with highs in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s which will be a pleasant change of pace.
overall but is still best during the cooler starts and ends of the day with dead drifting being the way to go during the afternoon. My best pattern is still the Olive/Black Delektable Screamer but Mini Loops, Trevor’s Sculpins and McCune’s are getting the job done as well.
