Notice: FWP has stated Hoot Owl (Closed fishing from 2pm-12am) restrictions for the Lower Madison River from the confluence with the Jefferson River to Warm Springs Fishing Access Site. In addition to the Lower Madison, other rivers have gone under these regulations. See FWP Waterbody Closures for more information.
Greetings from the banks of the Madison River here at Beartooth Flyfishing! At the peak of the Summer season, the fishing has been excellent this week with manageable flows, warm weather, and little rain. With consistent morning and evening hatches of PMD’s, Caddis, Yellow Sallies and now the start of Terrestrials; the Dry Fly Fishing and Nymphing has been excellent. Although it is not peak season, those willing to throw Streamers can find larger predatory Fish in the undercut banks or deep pockets during the day, but the best action is at first or last light.
With Streamflow pulsing this week, flows have been interchanging to keep our fishery cool and help the Lower Madison below Ennis Dam. Streamflows started this week at 1,270cfs @ Kirby and 1,570cfs @ Cameron, with minor daily fluctuations throughout the week and ending the week at 1,310cfs @ Kirby and 1,460cfs @ Cameron. With the pulses and drops of flows from tributaries North of the West Fork we have seen it be a bit more challenging to find the fish; but trust us they are still out there!
This week’s higher air temps, into the mid 80’s and 90’s, Trout have been holding in deep pocket water around boulders and gravel bars during the day and shallow riffles during the early mornings and evenings. With sunny days in the forecast, manageable flows and consistent hatches, the fishing should continue to stay good in the coming weeks as the terrestrial hatches begin to really turn on!
Dries: PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #16-18; Purple Haze Parachute #16-18; Wulff Irresistible #16; Delektable Halo Peacock, Purple, or Tan #14-18; Delektable Chubbyness Royal, Rootbeer, UV Caddis or Olive Brown #10-16; Cornfed Caddis CDC Olive or Tan #16, Delektable Twisted Baby Yellow w/ Red Butt #16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Purple, Tan or Olive #16-18; Delektable Twisted X Brown #14-#16; “X” Caddis Tan or Olive #16-18; Elk Hair Caddis Tan or Olive #16-18; Delektable Sparkle Bug Pale Olive or Tan #14-#16,
Nymphs: Formerly Known as Prince #12-18; Tung Drop Yellow Sally #14; Delektable BH Prince Brandon #12-18; Jig Hook CDC Flashback Pheasant Tail #16-18; BH Lemon Drop #12-18; BH Tungsten Jig Yellow Spot #14-18; BH Jig Hook Olive Lightning Bug #16-18; Duracell Bomb JH UV Black #16; Crack Back Bullet Jig Cream #16-#18; Delektable TGBH Sure Strike Sally or Black/Purple #14-#18; BH Shop Vac Olive or Brown #14-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #18; Crack Back Bullet Jig Olive #16; Jig Hook BH Iron Lotus #16-#18; Geppert’s Crystal Dips Black, Brown or Crystal #14-18; 3 Dollar Dip Crystal, Brown #16; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Brown, Black or Crystal #14-16; Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; Gepperts Emerger PMD #16-#18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown or Black/Brown #8-#10.
Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, or Yellow; Delektable Double Screamer Olive/Black, Olive/Black Gold, Black, Olive, White, Yellow; Delektable Single Screamer Black, Olive/White, Olive/Black, White, Olive, or Spawning; #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive or Tan #4-#6; Zonkers Dark Olive, Tan, or Natural #8; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, or Natural #4; Dali Llama Olive/White #6; Galloup’s Silky Kitty Black, Tan, White, or Olive; #6; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6; Conehead Zuddler Olive #6- #8; Flash Fry Olive/Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive or Natural #6; Galloup’s Mini Sex Dungeons Olive, Black, or Cream #6.
