Let me tell you what, the summer season is sure not over and fishing continues to rock on the Madison River. As the summer months go on fish do become more elusive but finding them just makes the experience that much more rewarding. It’s important to work hard and find out what bugs are working, either by constantly switching up flies or getting advice from others. Using smaller tippet (4X or possibly 5X) will help too. Earlier this week flow pulse increases were made in an attempt to refill Ennis lake due to warmer temps. A few days following that peak pulse flow requirements were made at 1350 CFS and Hebgen outflow was lowed by 10% (August 5th). Finally on August 8th the flows were at 910 CFS with another flow reduction made the following day to bring the outflow to approximately 820 CFS. The water temperature remains stable on the Upper Madison and flows look good.

Enough with the data portion of this report and on to the fish. This week we welcomed back the Wild Adventure Group and many other anglers. There were lots of fish caught, good conditions (although the “W” factor was relentless at some points) and greats groups of people. I had the chance to meet a few gentlemen from the Wild Adventure Group who lived only 15 minutes from me back home in Virginia and ones who were alumni of my College JMU, GO DUKES! It’s a small world here at Beartooth Flyfishing.

HOT FLIES: Mocha Girdle Bug, Lil’ Spanker (Red/Silver/Purple), Spruce Moths, Two Bit Hooker, Wire Worm, Green Machine, JR Sculpzilla and Olive Streamers.

Another Great week and as always thank you to our guides and thank you to our anglers for your continued support. Keep on fishing hard, don’t be afraid to switch up flies to find the one that’s working and have fun. It’s time for me to head back to school and this will be my last report of the season. It has been a pleasure giving you the weekly fishing scoop and a joy to have met so many great people. Thank you to everyone at the Beartooth for a great summer! I will leave you with this last quote from John Steinbeck “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”

Keep Throwing Darts! Will

As Elizabeth Green once said, “Sometimes the most ordinary things could be be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people”. Fishing with friends and family can really be a special time and we had just that, the Larry Cook Group and Wild Adventure Ladies crew out on the water trying to make things extraordinary and unpredictable. The weather for our anglers was good with a slight “W” factor to compensate for.

HOT FLIES: GTBH Guides Choice Hares Ear, BH Lightning Bug (Purple), Pat’s Rubber Legs (Black/Brown and Olive/Brown), Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Pheasantail), Delektable Lil’ Spanker (Red), Delektable Twisted X (Tan/Brown) and Delektbale Twisted Baby (Tan/Brown).

Thanks to all our guides for another great trip, we appreciate all your hard work, great stories and second sense to find those fish.

Kepp Throwing Darts! Will

So, this is the land of Hoppertunity!!! If you have not got a chance to get the big dry bite yet this summer, you have not missed it! Hoppers are out and about fluttering and sputtering, tempting those who may devour them. Those being: the big, the bad, the slimey elusive browns and rainbows of the mighty mighty Madison River here in beautiful southwest Mantana! Please do yourself a favor and throw hoppers and ants, because the terrestrial game is only going to get better from here on out. August typically can be slower than most of the summer months, so you might have to get your short game on i.e. good ole chip and putt. We here at the shop have learned to use different strategies for this particular month because the fish just get smarter and smarter as the summer season goes on. Throw smaller nymphs and smaller dries to go with the smaller bugs that are hatching. Downsizing your tippet diameter is also a good way to fool those  trout into eating your meal that you have dished out. Another tip might be to set the alarm clock a little earlier than usual and go out before the sun comes up while the surface water is still cool and the trout are not as sluggish and lethargic from the heat. They may tend to be a bit more frisky in the morning and maybe stay out a little later too. Stick it out and try some pitch’n and twitch’n in the darker hours. Also remember you may not see rising pods of fish here and it is typical to twitch your fly a bit and they will come up to it. But don’t just take our word for it, go out there and give it the old college try. 

Now that we’ve thrown a little advice your way its time to get down to it…the FISH, the FLIES and the PICTURES that follow. Another wonderful week at Beartooth Flyfishing with beautiful weather, happy people and good stories. We had Ian, Dan D, Brandon, Dan M, John K, Marty, Ty and Randy all out this week. We had a number of return friends including Big Fish Kim, not to be confused with yet another Big Fish Kim (the Kims have it), Mark, Roger, Jim, and Matt, the Kennedy family and other families along with the Cook and Gray Group join us.  

HOT FLIES for the week included: JR Sculpzilla, Sparkle Prince, Small Red/Purple Nymphs (Sizes #16,#18,#20), Purple Lightning Bug, Pat’s Rubber Leg Tan/Brown (Sizes #10,#12) Cloud Hopper, Green Machine, Tungsten Redemption BWO and Delektable Flying Ant (Black and Red).

We appreciate you tuning in for another Beartooth fishing report. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call or stop by. Remember fish hard, fish smart and have fun out there because at the end of the day that’s what its all about. Happy Fishing!!

DanG/Will

I know I know, I’m thinking the same thing you are right now…This summer has flown by!! It’s almost August! Crazy huh. Another fishing report from Beartooth Flyfishing and as always we have lots to talk about and great pictures to share with you. This week we had the Clark Group, Neighbors, Fathers and Sons, and Wild Adventure Group join us once again. The temperature has not let up this past week, leveling off in the high 80’s during the day. Don’t worry this hasn’t posed any threat to the Maddy, as the fishing continues to be steady. Constant flow of water regulated by the dam has kept CFS levels around 1200. As the season continues and temperatures spike rivers like the Big hole are facing Hoot Owl Restrictions between stretches, with average CFS levels at 352. Better check with your local Big Hole fly shop before putting the boat in the water. Other River Restrictions are posted in the shop or call us to find out.

HOT flies for the week: Dry Flies: Delektable Chubbyness (Royal,Olive/Brown,UV Purple,Cinnamon and 2Tone UV Dark Olive) all sizes #16 and #18,  Delektable Twisted X (Tan) and Royal Trudes. Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Callibaetis, Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear, various colors of Delektable Hammerheads and Lightning Bugs (Silver) all sizes #16,#18,#20. Hoppers: Fat Albert Tan and the Delektable Slammer in various colors. Ants, yes Flying Ants have started to appear this week which is great to hear.

To start off the week we had the Clark Group guided by Ian and Randy as well as Dan M and Marty on the water.

A new Wild Adventure Crew was here having fun catching fish. Thanks to all our guides for another successful trip!

Remember Ants are making their way to town so keep an eye out. We will keep you updated so stayed tuned.

Keep Throwing Darts! Will