August 22nd-August 28th 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As School begins to start again and another epic Summer on the Madison River is recorded in the books, the parable of the Ant and the Grasshopper comes to mind. Are you the Ant or the Grasshopper? Have you studied the River, learned the holes, prepared yourself for big Fall Trout?? While you ponder these Big Life questions, go out and fish those Ants and Hoppers!

Rainshowers and low 70’s to high 80’s temperatures have certainly made the fishing better this week, add a little wind to push those Hoppers and Ants on the water and fishing nirvana follows! Streamflows this week were 1,320cfs at Kirby, 1,440cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,060cfs at Kirby, 1,180cfs at Cameron by the end of the week. The drop in flow and air temperature has contributed to more productive Dry Fly fishing!

This week we would also like to Thank and Congratulate the Ennis Chamber of Commerce and contributors on a job very well done with the Madison River Annual Flyfishing Festival! What a great way for avid and novice flyfishing people to come together and share fishing knowledge and promote  the sport that we love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Silver, Gold, Pheasant Tail, Red, Olive Green #14-#20, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #18, Wilcox’s Little Green Machine PT #18, Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18, RS2 Olive #16-#18, BH Rainbow Warrior #16-#18, Wire Worm Red/Orange #8, Pat’s Mr. Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive PT #16-#18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#20, Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black #8-#10, BH Shop Vac #16-#18, BH Gilled Flashback Pheasant Tail #16, Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#20.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Black, White, Olive #8, Heavy Metal #6, Bow River Bugger Olive #8, Zonker Olive, Dark Olive, White, Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive/White, White #6-#8, Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White, Natural, Black/Olive #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, Natural #4, Keller’s Nightmare Sculpin Olive #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural #6, Slump Buster Squirrel/Copper, Squirrel/Gold #6, BH Rickard’s Seal Bugger Claret/Black #8-#10.

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Fat Frank Peach, Tan #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Tan, Yellow, Pink #12-#14, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Yellow, Tan, Pink #12-#14, Mircowater Walker Pink #14-#16. Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #16-#18, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Dave’s Hopper #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, Tan, Cinnamon, Rainbow #16-#18, Papa Humpy Royal Red #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Tan, Olive, Dark Olive, Grey #18.

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August 15th-August 21st 2022 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Change is inevitable; from the weather, day to day activities, life and most importantly fishing!! The true test of any angler is their ability to change with the conditions presented to them. If fishing is challenging, change flies and change your presentation. Be creative!! As we are approaching the end of the summer hatches become smaller and with warmer temperatures hatches are best later in the day or early in the morning.

The weather this week was in the high 80’s with a small reprieve of rain and cooler temperatures by the end of the week. Stream flows this week were 1,200cfs at Kirby, 1,310cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week and a slight uptick by the end of the week to help combat rising water temperatures with flows sitting at 1,310cfs at Kirby, 1,460cfs at Cameron by Sunday.

Hoppers and Ants have made there way to water, the most productive action has been seen between McAtee and Ennis. Streamers and nymphing have been producing some very nice larger fish and lots of big smiles!

Dries: Grillo’s Hippie Stopper Royal, Purple #16-#18, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Delektable Flying Ant Purple #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive, Tan #16-#18, Fat Frank Peach #14, Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink, Tan #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink, Tan #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Micro Water Walker Pink, Tan #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Grey, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Chubby Olive, Tan, Cinnamon, Royal, Rainbow #14-#18.

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Wire Worm Red #6-#8, Delektable TGBH Big Spanker Olive Pheasant Tail #14-#18, Formerly Known as Prince #18, Pat’s Rubberleggs Black/Brown, Olive/Brown, Black #10-#12, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Purple, Pheasant Tail, Olive, Red, Gold, Silver #14-#18, Crack Back Bullet Jig Hook Cream #16-#18, Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #18, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16-#18, BH Mo’ River Pheasant Tail #16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, BH Serendipity Rainbow, Dark Olive #14-#16.

Streamers: Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black/Purple , White, Yellow, Olive #8, Yo Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive, Black #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive, White, Black #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural, Olive, Black, Yellow #6-#8.

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August 8th-August 14th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Hoppers, o’ Hoppers where for art thou??? We may not see you, but the fishermen have been creating the hatch and the Fish have been starting to eat!! They seem as anxious as we are for the hatch to kick in fully! The most consistent action has been seen between McAtee Bridge to Ennis, however later this week the Fish have been starting to swipe at the Hopper up to Windy Point!

Temperatures have been in the high 80’s-low 90’s this week, we have seen some reprieve from the heat with afternoon/evening rain showers and cooling nightly temps. The river flows have continued to drop this week 1,350cfs at Kirby and 1,500cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,200cfs at Kirby and 1,330cfs at Cameron by the end the week.

Dry fly fishing has been coming on stronger during the day with  Ants, Beetles, and some Hoppers, Nocturnals and Caddis have been the hits this week. Streamers with a Dropper fished with a nymphing set up (strike indicator) and completed dead drifted and tight lined have also been very productive. Nymphing has been productive especially if you switch your manner of presentation, with some days great for dragging, while others are best with a perfect float. As fishing can be so drastically different from day to day, switching your flies often (if not getting action) and changing your presentation and location on the River Center to banks and back can help produce high catch days and big smiles!!

Dries: Grillo’s Hippie Stopper Royal, Purple #16-#18, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Delektable Flying Ant Purple #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive, Tan #16-#18, Fat Frank Peach #14, Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Micro Water Walker Pink #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Gray, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16.

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Gold, Silver #14-#16, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten Big Spanker Red Headed #16, BH Mo’ River Pheasant Tail #16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, BH Serendipity Rainbow, Dark Olive #14-#16.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive, Black #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Shelia Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8, Silk Kitty Olive #6.

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August 2nd-August 7th | Upper Madison Fishing Report

As of August 2nd, Hoot Owl have begun from 8-Mile Fishing Access to Ennis Reservoir. This means fishing from 2PM to Midnight in this area is prohibited.

Fishing is hot and cold these days with the temps changing but fishing is always better than another day at work! 🙂 Conditions have been changing this week with the temperatures cooling from the mid 90’s the week prior to mid to high 80’s most of the week with a dramatic shift on Friday & Saturday to mid 70’s to mid 60’s and a massive rainstorm, additionally the “W” Factor in the Valley has returned with the incoming weather! To add to the changes this week NorthWestern Energy raised flows the end of last week to combat the rising temperatures, which has been successful into this week, and while you may have been rocking in the middle River last week you may want to stick to the banks as the fish tend to migrate to the slower water! The river flows this week started at 1,650cfs at Kirby and finished the week at 1,370cfs; at Cameron the week started with 1,890cfs and dropped down to 1,570cfs by the end of the week.

 

 

 

 

 

With the warmer temperatures this week fishing has been best in the early morning with Streamers (especially with a dropper), Nocturnals, Midges, and Tricos. During Mid-day there has been some action with a Chubby, Hopper, Ant or Beetle pattern. Nymphing has still been the most productive means of fishing throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

 

For the future we will continue to see warmer temperatures for the next few weeks with the promise of rain in the evenings! At Beartooth Flyfishing to adjust to the current weather conditions, our store hours will be 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM for the next few weeks!!

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Halo Olive, Silver, Pheasant Tail #16-#18, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten BH Big Spanker Warrior #14-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, Glassy Brassy Zebra Midge #20.

 

Dries: Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Parachute Adams Sparkle Purple #14-#16, Micro Water Walker Peanut #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Delektable Halo Royal #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Tan, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Rainbow #14-#18, Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive/Brown, UV Cinnamon #14-#16, Fat Frank Peach #14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Purple Cinnamon, Holo Olive #14-#18, Snowshoe Trico #20, Etha-Wing Trico Black #20.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Sheila Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Jtd Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive #6, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8.

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July 25th-August 1st | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

As of August 2nd Hoot Owl Restrictions have begun on the lower Madison from Ennis Dam to confluence of the Jefferson River and from 8-Mile Fishing Access to Ennis Reservoir. This  means fishing from 2PM to Midnight in these areas is prohibited. Temperatures have remained safe from 8-Mile to Raynolds Pass Bridge this week but we may be expecting more Hoot Owl restrictions on other parts of this River and other Rivers this Summer as the warm temps continue!

The Heat is on this week! With air temperatures hitting the low to mid 90’s this week, dropping back to the lower 50’s at night, the most productive fishing has been early in the morning and the miracle hour before dark. The river flows this week have been 1,250cfs at Kirby for most of the week with an increase to 1,520cfs at by the end of the week, at Cameron 1,380cfs for most of the week with an increase to 1,640cfs by the end of the week. The weather forecast for the next week is predicted to be cooler with chances of rain which will significantly help Fish and Fisherman!

 

 

 

 

 

We have seen productive subsurface fishing this week especially with Nymphs and a Streamer/Dropper set up. The most productive Dry Fly action in the early morning with ants, Nocturnals, PMD’s, Midges and Tricos! We are still patiently waiting for those tasty Hoppers to arrive and hopefully will see signs in the next 2 weeks!

Nymphs: Geppert Skinny Dip Brown, Pearl, Black #14-#16, Geppert Mega Emerger Pink #16-#18, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Red, Olive, Black #16, Delektable Twinkle Black, Purple #18-#20, GBH Zebra Midge Black #20, Pat’s Rubberleg Black, Olive/Brown #12-#14, Delektable Jig Hook TB Spanker Holo Pink, Pheasant Tail, Miller Time #16-#18, BH Mo River Pheasant Tail #18-#20, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold #16-#20, Delektable Hammerhead TBH Jighead Holo Green #18, BH Lemon Drop #14-#18, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Olive/Green, Purple #16-#18, Shop Vac Brown/Olive #16-#18, Formerly Known as Prince #16-#18, Hogan’s S&M Olive Nymph #16-#18.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Sheila Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8.

Dries: Bloom’s Stealth Ant #14-#16, Delektable Flying Ant Black, Purple #14-#16, Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Cinnamon #16,Snowshoe Trico #20, Etha-Wing Dun-Trico #20-#22, Adams Midge Cluster #18, Double Winged Trico Spinner #18, Half Drowned Moth, Hopper, Caddis #16, Hippie Stomper Royal #16-#18, Dornan’s Water Walker September Stone #12-#14, PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #16-#18, Delektable Lil’ Secret Royal, UV Pink #16-#18, Parachute Adams #14-#16 and Delektable Halo Various Colors for Caddis #16-#18.

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