April 23rd, 2023 | Big Hole River Fishing Report

Posted on April 23, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Spring fishing on the Big Hole can be really good or quite challenging. At the time of this report, ice off was not too far in the past and the fish seemed to be moving slower to the take.  Some quality fish were moved today, mostly on Skwalla Nymphs and Streamers. Some Skwallas were spotted, however dry fly action was slow. The Big Hole is a wild freestone river and today it showed just how wild with flows fluctuating in a range of 200 cfs up and down (1,100-800-1,300cfs) from the start to the finish of the day; this also really effects the water temperatures and thus the bugs and the trout. A wise angler once said, “Check your streamflows, check the weather and plan appropriately for the conditions.” When fishing in the Spring in Southwest Montana this is invaluable advice.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single/Double/SS Jointed Olive/White, Black/Olive #6; Coffee’s CH Sparkle Minnow #6; Dali Llama Olive/ White #6; JR’s Conehead Streamer Olive #6.

Nymphs: Delektable Hurless Stone Olive FB #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince Olive FB #8-#10; Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT, Silver #18-#20; Pat’s Rubberlegs Olive Brown #8-#10; Wire Worm Orange & Red #6-#8; Worm Flossy Red #10; Delektable Worm Red #12.

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April 23rd, 2023 | Jefferson River Fishing Report

Posted on April 23, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

The Jefferson proved to be true to form and produced some truly lovely trout today for anglers that were up to the challenge. The Jeff is known for its quality over quantity and proved that for these lucky anglers today! Running at 1,850cfs at Twin Bridges and 1,700cfs at Three Forks it just about perfect for floating and fairly fantastic water clarity. However, this will change with upcoming warm weather. If  you’re lucky enough to fish these cooler weather breaks in the Spring, fishing can be great and most likely you’ll have the river to yourself! As always the pictures speak for themselves!

#1 Fly of the Day: Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White #6

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October 25th-November 4th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Report

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Beartooth Flyfishing

From Fall Sunshine Nirvana to Gail Force Winds Blizzard Winter! The Madison Valley did not disappoint and in full dramatic fashion changed on a dime. As the angler may shiver with the conditions above the fish below are unencumbered by the conditions and are feasting, hopefully on your shaking line!

We have seen consistent Stream flows the past two weeks with 780cfs at Kirby and 1020cfs at Cameron. The water color has been ranging on the glacial green variety (a downright beautiful sight to behold) and fish have started to stack up like cordwood in holes about the river. While the conditions can be severe this time of the year, the fishing can still be very productive in the heat of the day and fishing with the wind at your back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are busy replenishing our fly tying and cold weather gear inventory! We have some new sale items and are still serving coffee and at request hot cocoa or tea to warm you up from the outside chill! We have changed our hours from 9:00AM to 5:00PM and will be closed on Sundays and Mondays through the winter months. Come on in for a chat and some retail therapy, it’s just the perfect time!

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince Standard and Flashback #8-#10. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Silver, Red, Blue #16-#20; Delektable Tungsten Bead Head Big Spanker Warrior #18; Rainbow Warrior #18-#20. Zebra Midge Black, Red, Olive #12-#20; Formerly Known as Prince #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #10-#12; Worm Imitations #4-#12; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #10-#12; Splitback Baetis #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Blue, Red, Pheasant Tail, #16-#20; Delektable Tungsten Jig Spanker Red, Silver, Pheasant Tail, Holo Black #18; Geppert’s Master and Mega Emerger #18; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black, Brown #16-#18; Pheasant Tail Nymphs #14-#18; Copper John’s Copper, Red #16-#18; Lil’ Green Machine Pheasant Tail, Olive #18-#20; Shop Vac’s #16-#20; Three Dollar Dips Brown, Red, Crystal #16-#18; Egg Patterns Various Colors #6.

Dries: Parachute Adams #18-#22; Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-#20; Griffith’s Gnat #18-#20; Brook’s Sprout Midge Olive #20; Delektable Sparkle Bug Light Olive, Dark Olive, Gray #18; Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Squeezer BWO #18-#20; Brook’s Sprout Emerger BWO #18-#22; Snowshoe Baetis #18-#22; Sparkle Dun BWO #18-#22.

Streamers: Delektable Single/SS/Double Black, Olive, Olive/Black, Badger, Olive/White, Yellow, White; Galloup’s Dungeon and Mini Dungeons Black, Olive, Cream, White; Galloup’s Boogie Man Black, Olive, White; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow #6; Zonkers Copper, Pearl, Olive, Natural #6-#8; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #6-#8; Sculpzilla Olive, Black, White #4-#8.

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October 17th- October 23rd, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Timing is key to many of our endeavors in life, especially in Fishing! We are all impacted by choices of when to cast, when to set the hook, when to use certain Flies, and when to let your Fly swing or drag a little bit longer. These essential moments can mean a glorious catch or a devastating miss. As we roll into true Fall here in the Madison Valley nature has her own timing, just perfect! This last week was just perfect, beautiful weather for the first part of the week and then a gradual turn to rain/snow by the end of the week. If your timing was right, you got the last of the nice weather this week, by Sunday it has become a full Winter wonderland in the Valley! Even so, with this turn of the weather you may have your timing dead on for turning the head of that once in a lifetime Trout!

We have seen consistent flows this week sitting at 830cfs at Kirby and 980cfs at Cameron. Fishing has been consistently great with a Streamer and small dropper combo and various Nymphing combos have been effective also. This coming week is full of cloudy days with mixed rain/snowy conditions, which could be very favorable for some serious BWO action. If you choose to brave the great white North this coming week and need some layering gear to keep you warm, stop on down to Beartooth Flyfishing, we got the gear to keep you going!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Purple, Blue, Silver, Red Gold #14-#20; Geppert’s Black Machine #18; RS2 Olive #16-#20; Tungsten Split-Case BWO #20; BH Mo River Red, Black #18-#20; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #16-#18; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20; Sawyer PT Copper, Red #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleggs Black, Brown/Black, Olive/Brown #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince Standard Flashback #10; Juju Baetis #18-#20; GB Bubbleback Emerger PT #16-#18; Delektable Hurless Grey, Olive #10; BH Jig Head Pearl, Silver Lightning Bug #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #14; and Delektable Orange Juice Caddis Emerger, Lime Juice #14-#16. 

Streamers: Delektable SS/Double/Single Screamer Olive/White, Black, Yellow, White, Badger, Olive/Black, Brown/Yellow #6; Murphey’s Miracle Mile Olive Peanut #4, CH Zuddler White, Olive, Black #4-#8; Lady Gaga White, Rainbow #6; Rubber Bugger Halloween #6; Zonker Natural, Copper, Olive, Black #4-#6; Sculpin “The One” #6; Yo Dali Llama Olive/White, Black/Olive, Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; and Silky Kitty Olive, White, Black #6.

Dries: Hi-Vis Parachute BWO #20; October Caddis PMX Orange #12; Parachute Adams #18-#20; B’s Emerging Peacock Caddis #16; Delektable BWO Squeezer #18-#20; Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-#20; Delektable Twisted Baby Orange/Brown, Tan/Brown #12-#16; BWO Para Sipper #20-#22; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Pink, Royal #16-#18; and Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16.

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October 10th – October 16th, 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Beartooth Flyfishing

We begin our slow wave Goodbye! to an incredible Native Summer. Nights have begun to get cooler and it’s taking longer for the sun to warm the Valley during the day. True Fall is starting to set in and while this next week starts with the last of our gorgeous sunny days expect snow by the end of the week. Even with the drop in temps, fish eat every day. The chill may challenge the angler but the bite is still on! Stream Flows have been consistent this week; 760cfs at Kirby and 950cfs at Cameron and are expected to continue this way for the upcoming week.

We saw some Dry fly action this past week, on and off with Ants and Hoppers (the last we may see with the cold temps at night) and Trico, Midge and Mayfly activity. The clear sunny days have dampened some of our Fall hatches but look for the overcast days bringing BWO and October Caddis action! Nymphing and Streamer fishing has been the most productive especially Nymphs on the drag through shallow water. If you come across rising, tailing fish and they just aren’t interested in your fly; go smaller (#20-#22) it can prove very successful to get those picky Trout!

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail, Purple, Blue, Black, Silver, Gold #14-#20; Geppert’s Green Machine #18; RS2 Olive #16-#20; Tungsten Split-Case BWO #20; BH Mo River Red, Black #18-#20; Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO #16-#18; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20; Sawyer PT Copper, Red #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleggs Black, Brown/Black, Olive/Brown #8-#10; Delektable Mega Prince Standard Flashback #10; Juju Baetis #18-#20; GB Bubbleback Emerger PT #16-#18; Delektable Hurless Grey, Olive #10; BH Jig Head Pearl, Silver Lightning Bug #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #14; and Delektable Orange Juice Caddis Emerger, Lime Juice #14-#16.  

Dries: Half Drowned Moth, Hopper, Caddis #16; Fat Frank Olive, Tan #12-#14; Hi-Vis Parachute BWO #20; October Caddis PMX Orange #12; Delektable Flying Ant Minimal Cinnamon #16-#18; Parachute Adams #18-#20; B’s Emerging Peacock Caddis #16; Delektable BWO Squeezer #18-#20; Delektable Twisted Baby Orange/Brown, Tan/Brown #12-#16; BWO Para Sipper #20-#22; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Pink, Royal #16-#18; and Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Double/Single Screamer Olive/White, Black, Yellow, White, Badger, Olive/Black, Brown/Yellow #6; Murphey’s Miracle Mile Olive Peanut #4, CH Zuddler White, Olive, Black #4-#8; Lady Gaga White, Rainbow #6; Rubber Bugger Halloween #6; Zonker Natural, Copper, Olive, Black #4-#6; Sculpin “The One” #6; Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Black/Olive, Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6; and Silky Kitty Olive, White, Black #6.

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