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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May 22-June 2nd, 2024 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Besides Memorial Day Weekend, the past two weeks it have been quiet here in the lovely Madison Valley. The river has not really let loose a full runoff, but rather the water has been green and just the best flows for catching lots of spring trout!

Streamflows started the week at 1,380cfs @ Kirby and 1,840cfs @ Cameron climbing to 1,530cfs @ Kirby and 2,310cfs @ Cameron mid-week and dropping to 1,410cfs @ Kirby and 2,210cfs @ Cameron. With the warmer weather and rain predicted this next week we may see some dirtier runoff water. However, it still has been an unpredictable Spring here and if you’re thinking of heading up here to catch some Spring joy give us a call as conditions could be changing daily!

Fishing this week has primarily been most productive with Streamers, Stoneflies and other Nymphs. With the water levels elevated green, buggier and bigger bugs have been the ticket. Some Caddis and BWOs have been spotted throughout the River this week, the Trout have preferred the Nymph to the dry from Lyons Bridge to Ennis. However, the wade section has produced some fish for those willing to work for it.

We are excited to start the Summer, it feels so close you could almost taste it! Our shop is fully stocked for the Season, and we can’t wait to see all the happy faces of our fishing family returning to the waters of the Madison. We are open 7 days a week 8am to 5pm, the coffee is still free and fishing tales are still bigger than life!

Nymphs: Delektable FB Sparkle Kaboom Stone #6-#8; Delektable Sparkle Kaboom Stone #6-#8; Fly Formerly Known as Prince #14-#16; Jig Duracell Original/Red Bead #16; Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT, Silver or Purple #14-#16; Delektable Prince Brandon #12-#16; Psycho Prince Caddis Green or Purple #12-#14; Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Yellow/Peacock or Black/Purple #12-#14; Delektable Mr. Rubberlegs Goldenstone #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince STD Flashback #6-#8; Wire Worm Pink, Red/Wine or Orange/Red #4-#8; Lightning Bug Gold #14-#16; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH JH Hare’s Ear, Olive or Prince #14-#16.

Streamers: Zonker Dark Olive or Natural #6; Shiela Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; Jr’s Conehead Streamer Olive #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8; Mini-Loop Sculpin 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 #6; Galloup’s Sex Dungeon Mini or Regular Olive/Black #6-#8.

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May 24th, May 30th & June 1st, 2024 | Beaverhead River Fishing Report

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Our Shop Manager Ryan had the chance to bring fellow Beartooth employee RT along on an adventure at the Beaverhead River at the end of the opening week on the Upper River between Clark Canyon Dam and High Bridge. It was so good they had to go back a few more times to test if it was a fluke… it was not!

We were interested to see how the trout were doing after a milder winter with much more solid flows than the previous two winters. And we are happy to report the Trout in the Upper River are in very good shape. They most certainly had their feed bags on all winter and spring. Ryan and RT were both blessed with numerous trout in the 20 – 24 inch class and hooked up with two or three that were over that class but were lost due to straightened hooks or just by being outsmarted by our finny friends.

The Outflow at Clark Canyon Dam was at 489cfs making for a comfortable day of wade fishing the buckets and runs of the Upper River. Nymphing was the name of the game as it often is in this stretch of the Beaverhead. Sowbugs, Annelids, Small Baetis Nymphs and Emergers, and Midge patterns were all effective throughout the day. There’s just something special about showing a good friend a new stretch of river that they have never fished and seeing their delight as they began to unlock the keys to how to fish such a special piece of water.

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT #16-#20, Delektable Big Spanker Warrior #18, Splitback BWO #18-#20, Hot Bead Soft Hackle Sow Bug Tan or Pink #16-#18, Ray Charles Tan or Pink #18-#20, Ninch’s Pill Popper #16-#18, Barr’s Emerger PMD or BWO #16-#18, Flossy Worm Red #12, Stocker’s Two Hot Baetis #18, Geppert’s Master Emerger #18, RS2 Olive #18, Delektable Worm Red or Pink #12, Delektable Ranch BWO #18.

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