Last week was crazy for the sheer number of fish caught, especially the big ol’ fat ones. Rumors of two footers and the one that got away were being thrown around like an articulated mouse on a hot summer’s night. Sheila won over many hearts, and while some continue to doubt her power, all will soon be Sheilebers. If you don’t know who she is, come in and find out.                                                                                                                      

This week has been a repeat so far. The fish are responding well to many different patterns and the big fish continue to eat well. Dry or die folks have been succeeding with Parachute Adams, Purple Craze, PMD Rusty Spinners, Delektable Halos, Delektable Chubbyness,  hoppers, ants and of course the Nahgunatellyas. Droppers help though. Small beadheads, size 16-20 with some flash to them are working well. Consider Lime Serendipities, Lightning Bugs, Copper Johns, Shop Vacs, Delektable Sure Strikes, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Zebra Midges, BWO Wonder Nymphs, CDC Prince Nymphs and wire worms. 

By far, without a doubt, largest numbers and average size came with a streamer-dropper rig. Dead drifting under an indicator will produce many fish, but a tight lining with a dead – twitch-drag combination should help you figure out how they like it best. Get out there as early as possible. Less light and cooler temperatures will help your streamer game. If wading the edges early in the morning is your thing, try an olive or black articulated streamer fished tight to the bank. Everyone is saying we are “two weeks” ahead of schedule here on the Madison, which technically means the fall fishing is not far away. Look for big fish moving out of the lakes in the near future.                                                                                                    

–Parker

Today Ted and Linda went out with one of our great Madison River guides, Ian Seacrest. The day was a nice little family float as the dog got to come too:)  Ian was all over it with some previously known knowledge from the days before having been floating with clients almost everyday ALL season. That is why you should go with a guide at least once to get you into the swing of each location as you are visiting. It will almost always throw you right in the loop.                                                                                                                                                 Ian had them on the big black size 8 stone and the fish were eating for the nocturnal stone. (or because they just love stone flies) Some other smaller patterns were used and caught fish but the bigger flies simply caught bigger fish. Small caddis and some random PMD and BWO patterns are flying around and will still be working well.                                                                                                                                 

Don’t neglect the Hopper as he is out and about with the flying ant too. Terrestrials are always a thing of the August month whether they are flying around or not…they usually eat them. As always, I hope you all are having a wonderful summer and enjoying every minute of it!!! Happy Fishing All!!! -DanG

This week has been very exciting as the smoke has rolled in to say hello for a whiiiiile. Wildfires over in the next valley have put smoke down on us here on the Madison and it is gooood:) The smoke may or may not act as if it were an overcast day, but nevertheless it is good when its here.                                                                                                                                    

Bigger fish have been coming up for the dry and the streamer bite is real good now early in the morning. An olive anything has been the ticket with black not too far behind. Here are a few pics of fish that gave in to the all-mighty, all-powerful, all-knowing fly fisherman! Hahaha, but seriously, the fish are about as vulnerable as a little 2 inch brown trout right that wants to be a big ‘ol haaawg right now. Happy Fishing Everyone!!!   -DanG                                                                                                                              

Terry and Friends

These guys really got ‘er done! Great job guys! The streamer bite was on today with these boys and they already knew how to cast…so, that’s always nice, and it usually leads to fish in the boat:) I believe there was a little inner-circle big fish competition going on between these boats, I don’t know who won, but it looks like it was a pretty bent/heavy competition! I think I can guess though:) Great fish guys! The bug that caught ALL the fish was not a bug you would normally think of. It was a…  -DanG