April 21st-30th|Madison River Fishing Report

Early spring conditions means bring ALL your IMG_1860smgear out on any given day because you never know what momma nature will throw at ya this time of year. Despite the weather, our guides have been getting some great fish. Streamer fishing has been picking up big time which has been long awaited.. The olive/black Delektable single screamer has been the fly to beat and Sheila’s sculpins are working well too.

 

Nymph fishing has been a stonefly and IMG_2068smworm game and they’re WORKING. Delektable Megaprince’s have been on fire on a size #8 hook in either standard or olive with or without the flashback. Delektable Hurless Stone’s have had a tough time staying out of mouths as well especially in olive sizes #8 or #10. Pats Rubberlegs have been producing some fish as well, specifically in the olive/brown color combo on a #8 hook. Last but not least the pink flossy worm has been bring’n em in.

Dry fly fishing has still been mostly a midge

IMG_2077sm game but if you’re out in the evening you can certainly come across a bucket full of blue wing slerpers. So come prepared with some Griffiths Gnats in #18 and #20 along with Brook’s Midge Sprouts in olive on a #18 hook. The BWO Split Wing Parachute has been one of our favorites as well.

As always, be sure to stop in the shop and load up on all these tasty bugs on your way to the fish!IMG_1852sm

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April 28th|BigHole River Fishing Report

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April 2nd-20th|Madison River Fishing Report

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As of a little over a week ago all fishing access sites on the Upper Madison are good to go, other than Ennis bridge of course which will need some repairs after this winter’s river gorge through town. The current forecast on repairs at the Ennis Access is around April 18th. Spring is knocking on the door throughout southwest Montana and now is your chance to image1SMtake advantage of some truly great fishing conditions. We’re seeing fish responding to smaller streamers and they’re spreading out throughout the river, no more winter style slow and low fishing but we still aren’t seeing much success stripping the big stuff. Delektable Single Screamers and Sculpzillas in olive and natural colors have been working best for me but th ere are plenty of patterns out there that’ll work, just keep it in that size and color zone.

We have had some early guide trips go fishing IMG_3335smwith really good results. Brandon and Gunnar got folks into some nice trout. With these trips and other reports, Nymphing has still been the way to get ‘em with stoneflies still seeing the most action. I wouldn’t recommend going to the river without a few Delektable Hurless or Mega Prince Stones in Olive, sizes #8 and #10 for those skwalas that are starting to move around. Keep in mind our Skwalas remain underneath while on some other rivers like the IMG_2014smBitterroot they emerge to the surface. Under the larger bug, you’ll want a small and flashy mayfly nymph or even a caddis nymph. Something like a Lightning Bug or a Delektable Lil’ Spanker, silver, olive or purple in a #14, #16 or #18. And as always, if all that stuff somehow fails ya tie on a goo  d ol’ worm. Worms are working well. We have heard some killer reports on them below Varney Bridge. We have also had reports of results on Trico’s and Midges which are IMG_2043smpopping in the middle of the afternoon. Most have had better action on the wet versions compared to dry.

For those of you that want to stick to the surface stuff the best reports of dry fly action have been coming from the three dollar and raynold’s pass area. Midges are still the name of the game but bwo’s are just around the corner! If you get sick of trying to locate your size 22 dry fly while itsIMG_2049sm drifting it’s never a bad idea to try to tease a couple up with a dry skwala imitation.

We’re starting to get reports of some rainbows starting to spawn in certain sections so keep an eye out and keep clear of any redds!  Be sure to stop by the shop and share some fish stories and enjoy the spring weather!! Brian and Kevin

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March 19th-25th|Madison River Fishing Report

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February 15th |Madison River Fishing Report

If you’re planning on floating make sure you check your boat ramps first!! Most of themIMG_2144SM IMG_2145SM should be accessible but better safe than sorry. Big Dan and I took a day off Wednesday and needed to slide the boat over the snowbank and into the water at Lyon’s because the boat ramp was still snowed in. When sliding your boat down, have the anchor out to stop it when needed.

We fought the gale force winds all the way down to windy point. We did enjoy a funIMG_2149SM IMG_2151SM adventure together despite the “W”, we caught fish. Anchoring near the deep buckets we were surprised to find all the species living in harmony, even the Whitey’s found their way out of the lakes to cash in on the yummy stoneflies! It is unusual for the whiteys to show themselves this early in the winter but they did and big ones too. IMG_2160SM IMG_2157SM

The big nymph bite is on throughout the upper Madison. Fish are readily taking size #8
and#10 Delektable Mega Prince’s, Delektable Hurless Stoneflies and the ol’ Delektable Bug in almost any color with or without the flashback. Gray, Olive and Black have been the killer colors but the big rainbows haven’t been too picky. The double nymph rig seemed to work well adding weight depending upon the flow in that section. Midges have been hatching pretty consistently throughout the river on these milder days but don’t let them fool you. The midge fishing is few and far between with the fish holding in the depths annihilating all the different types of nutrition rich stoneflies. As usual for this time of year, look to the deeper buckets, troughs and seams, the fish are concentrated in these areas and when you get to them be ready to take them down one after the other.

The streamer bite has been…. Slow, to say the least but for you guys and gals that just can’tIMG_2161SM help but to try to serve up something a little  more meaty our only advice is to slooow it down on the retrieve and maybe go smaller. You’re going to have to work for it on the streamer, I’d suggest working with a Delektable Single Screamer in White, Olive/black, or Badger.

These warmer days will bring some serious action to the Upper Madison but more than likely, they’ll also bring some serious “W” down the river. If you’re willing to battle it out with the conditions you’ll almost definitely be rewarded. Call the shop if you need updates on the launches. Best of luck from all of us here at Beartooth Flyfishing!!!

Brian and Big Dan

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