If you’re planning on floating make sure you check your boat ramps first!! Most of them
should be accessible but better safe than sorry. Big Dan and I took a day off Wednesday and needed to slide the boat over the snowbank and into the water at Lyon’s because the boat ramp was still snowed in. When sliding your boat down, have the anchor out to stop it when needed.
We fought the gale force winds all the way down to windy point. We did enjoy a fun
adventure together despite the “W”, we caught fish. Anchoring near the deep buckets we were surprised to find all the species living in harmony, even the Whitey’s found their way out of the lakes to cash in on the yummy stoneflies! It is unusual for the whiteys to show themselves this early in the winter but they did and big ones too. 
The big nymph bite is on throughout the upper Madison. Fish are readily taking size #8
and#10 Delektable Mega Prince’s, Delektable Hurless Stoneflies and the ol’ Delektable Bug in almost any color with or without the flashback. Gray, Olive and Black have been the killer colors but the big rainbows haven’t been too picky. The double nymph rig seemed to work well adding weight depending upon the flow in that section. Midges have been hatching pretty consistently throughout the river on these milder days but don’t let them fool you. The midge fishing is few and far between with the fish holding in the depths annihilating all the different types of nutrition rich stoneflies. As usual for this time of year, look to the deeper buckets, troughs and seams, the fish are concentrated in these areas and when you get to them be ready to take them down one after the other.
The streamer bite has been…. Slow, to say the least but for you guys and gals that just can’t
help but to try to serve up something a little more meaty our only advice is to slooow it down on the retrieve and maybe go smaller. You’re going to have to work for it on the streamer, I’d suggest working with a Delektable Single Screamer in White, Olive/black, or Badger.
These warmer days will bring some serious action to the Upper Madison but more than likely, they’ll also bring some serious “W” down the river. If you’re willing to battle it out with the conditions you’ll almost definitely be rewarded. Call the shop if you need updates on the launches. Best of luck from all of us here at Beartooth Flyfishing!!!
Brian and Big Dan
