What weather we’ve been having late this season! Some may wish for the weather to get nasty and fish streamers but the rest of us are enjoying the hopper fishing into October! Flows have been steady at about 1,000 C.F.S. at Kirby. We’ve seen some more insect hatches lately which does suggest fall is here regardless of the daytime high temperatures indicating otherwise. Baetis, BWOs, Caddis and Midges can all be found throughout the river.
Dry fly fishing has been pretty decent especially with terrestrials in the afternoon but don’t be afraid to trail a little Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis or Adams behind some of your favorite terrestrial or attractor patterns. We’ve caught fish on Delektable Secret Stones, Delektable Chubbyness, Micro Water Walkers, More-Or-Less Hoppers, and Ants.
Nymph fishing has been just what you’d expect from the Madison, productive. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Serendipities, Prince Nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Wire Worms, RS2s, Green Machines and Zebra Midges have all been getting it done.
The streamer bite has been a little tough but showing big rewards to those who commit. Mornings are usually best and our best luck has been on darker sculpin imitations. Delektable Screamers, Sheila’s Sculpins, Bow River Buggers, Bond’s Dragons and Zonkers are some good options.
