This summer has been a real buggy one for us here in the Madison Valley. With the water on the rise from progressing outflow release of the Hebgen Dam, the fish have been eating and eating and eating. No hook has been too sharp, no net not slippery enough, and no dirtbag has been too scary looking to persuade these fish to stop eating over and over and over again. Even if you look the fish in the eye and tell them, “you need to be more careful with how you select your food, it’s a dangerous world out there”….you will still see them in the net the next day. As for the river, it sits at 1420 CFS at the very moment and has been holding near there for the past couple of days. Northwest Energy has upped the flows since July 1^st after attaining their goals and required capacity, and now they will be letting a higher flow out for the rest of the summer to comply with the Reservoir/River regulated permit that exists. On that note, go fishing now, because it’s epic.

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming several groups, including the Rush and Filance families. Like mentioned previously, the fishing was HOT!! Getting the opportunity to set up trips for big families and groups like these really get the Beartooth Family excited, especially seeing them after a day of fishing with great stories. Dave joined in on the fun and guided two days with success. Check out some of these great pictures. 

Please throw the bugs as follows; Dry: Salmon Fly size 6, Golden Stone size 8-10, Bomber Caddis size 10-12, Tan Caddis size 14-16, Delektable Halo tan size 16-18, PMD patterns both dry and nymph size 14-18 and various midge patterns on the lakes have been good as well. Nymphs: Brown/Tan variegated Pat’s size 8, Olive/Brown variegated Pat’s size 8, Brown Pat’s size 8, Trout Retriever Golden size 8, Delektable Mr. Rubber Legs , Caddis Case with red glass bead on a curved hook size 10 (self tie), Lightning Bug (every color) size 16-18, Delektable Pheasant Tail Spanker size 16, Silvey’s Primetime Puppa olive size 16, Beadhead Prince size 14, Psycho Prince Purple size 14-18 Hare’s Ear Soft Hackle size 14-16, Rs2: PMD and Olive size 16-18 and last but not least the blood midge on a size 8 curved hook (San Juan). 

Happy Fishing!!! –DanG

Just another epic week of fishing on the renown Madison River!! We are coming off a very hot weekend of fishing, where the big bugs and salmon flies were in full swing. Conditions for this week were great, with water clarity, CFS level and temperatures all good. Toward the tail end of the week (Friday) water was released from Quake Lake to circulate fresh water to help the Lower Madison, in hopes of cooling down water temperatures. They have continued to release water daily since Friday and the River is looking GREAT!  The up trend in the flows did not seem to impact the fishing so far. Not only are the fishermen enjoying these new water levels but so are the fish. Things are looking just ideal on the Madison. HOT FLIES for the week: Pats Rubber Legs (Olive/Brown), Delektable Mr. Rubber Legs Hares Ear, BH Prince Nymph, Lemon Drop, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Lightning Bug Silver, Delektable TGBH Sure Strike (Yellow/Peacock), Blooms Parachute Caddis (Dark Olive), Lil’ Hottie, Delektable Chubbyness Royal, Delektable Secret Stone UV Golden and Delektable Secret Stone UV Salmon Fly.

To start off the week long time friends and fisherman Tim and Brian continued their week-long trip with Dan on the Madison. Being brothers, Tim and Brian had a little spark in them, fueled by their friendly sibling big fish rivalry. We’re glad for it because they really “brought their A game” and produced some great fish. Marty followed Dan’s trend out on the river and had a big numbers day with his clients. Overall the weather was good, the “W” factor was not an issue, and everyone was happy.

We love it when the Beartooth Family takes a day off and gets out on the river. What’s even better is when Nancy gets to let loose from the shop and go after BIG fish with her girlfriend Kim, or better known as one of the BFK’s (Big Fish Kim’s). Nancy and Kim floated with Brandon on a big float from Lyons to Mac. Kim, like her name precedes her, killed it all day long on nymphs and the “small ball” setup. She was even seen casting while eating lunch with a sandwich in her mouth and chips scattered about because you can’t catch fish if your lines not in the water. She caught HUGE whitefish and nice trout all day long. Nancy on the other hand started the day with dries but with minimal takes switched over to a nymph (Psycho Purple) under a Salmon Fly. After Pal she switched back to dries with good luck on a double caddis set up. Dan, Tim and Brian were back at it again with fish to show for. Note: Caddis hatches were seen all day long as well as PMD’s, Sallies and Stones. Salmon Flies were spread out but not to the extent of the caddis.

To finish off the week Ty fished with a father and son and Marty with Hienie and Dee. Both groups did great and a mix of different flies, both dries and nymphs, were used and successful. Hienie and friends, thanks for being so much fun and sharing fishing stories and adventures with us this past week.

A few key points to leave you on for this coming week: The Salmon Fly hatch is making its way up towards Three Dollar Bridge and will continue to move towards the park as the week moves on. Nymphs and “small ball technique” have had great success for many anglers but of course the right dries with the right presentation will work. CFS levels will continue to rise as they slowly continue letting water out of Quake Lake. Fishing continues to look up on the Madison River!

Keep Throwing Darts! Will