September 20th – October 3rd | Madison River Fishing Report

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.

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September 13th – 19th | Madison River Fishing Report

Flows came up about 100 C.F.S. from Hebgen Dam which is great. Fishing has been overall a bit inconsistent but we’re still getting some good ones. As the fish get used to the bump in water flows we expect to see more consistency but it’s also a bit of a transitional time around here as fall creeps in so anything can happen.

The dry fly fishing has been on the tougher side but those who have stuck with it have caught some fish. Small Delektable Chubbyness flies, the new Delektable Lil’ Chubby, Thunder Thighs Hoppers, Delektable Flying Ants, Elk hair Caddis and Purple Hazes have all seen some success.

Nymph fishing has been pretty good as one would expect. Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Hook Lightning Bugs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Psycho Princes, $3 Dips, Green Machines, Princes and Worms have all been good options.

As we inch closer to everyone’s favorite month to fish Streamers, people are coming into the shop with more and more big fish stories. Flies like Galloup’s Silk Kitty, Galloup’s Dungeon, Delektable Screamers, McCune’s Sculpins, Trevor’s Sculpins and Zonkers are all good. Have fun out there fishing!

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August 30th – September 12th | Madison River Fishing Report

 The Terrestrials have still been good! Water levels are a little down so watch your boat placement if you’re floating below McAtee. We’ve had some interesting weather, the fishing got tough for a couple days after the snow and came right back to normal after that.

The streamer fishing has improved some with fish starting to act a little more aggressive. We’ve caught fish on Zonkers, Galloup’s Silk Kitty, Sculpzillas, JR’s Conehead, McCune’s Sculpins, Trevor’s Sculpins, Bow River Buggers, and Silvey’s Sculpins so buy some of those and catch some fish!

Dry fly fishing has been relatively inconsistent like we mentioned above, that cold snap put the Terrestrial fishing down for a couple days but we’ve still managed to get some nice ones to eat on the surface. Delektable Secret Stones, More-or-less Hoppers, Thunder Thighs Hoppers, small Delektable Chubbyness and Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis have all seen some success.

 

Nymph fishing has been what you’d expect from the Madison, the way to catch ‘em. The usual suspects like Pat’s Rubberlegs, Delektable Lil Spankers, Lightning Bugs, Princes and $3 Dips are still getting it done.

Fall is finally knockin on the door and it’ll bring some great fishing opportunities with it so dig out the cold weather gear and get ready!  

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August 23rd – 29th | Madison River Fishing Report

A fun part of this past week was all the youngsters we had the privilege of taking fishing. We had several trips that consisted of grandparents, parents, and grandkids fishing together which is always great to see and be a part of. As for the fishing, not a lot has changed but we expect the incoming weather to mix things up a bit. We’re expecting a significant drop in air temperature for tomorrow along with some rain.

Flows are down some from last week, 890 C.F.S. below Hebgen, 1,010 C.F.S. at Kirby and 1,030 down at Varney. Keep an eye out for those gravel bars that have become more exposed over the last few days.

Streamers and nymphs will be coming into play a bit more with the inconsistent weather but we expect the hardcore dry fly guys to continue to get it done with Hoppers, Ants and smaller Chubbies. The patterns haven’t changed much with flies like Dornan’s Water Walkers, Delektable Chubbyness, Delektable Secret Stones, Delektable Flying Ants and all your favorite Grasshopper flies doing the job. Dan has added a new Delektable Fly Design called the Delektable Lil’ Chubby which has a wide gap hook and is tied in sizes #14-#18. They are Sweet and the shop will need to order more because they are working.

Under the Bobber you should be fishing Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Lightning Bugs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Copper Johns, Serendipities, Formerly Known as Princes or anything comparable to those patterns.

Streamer fishing has improved a bit but maybe that’s just because more people are fishing them. Flies like Bow River Buggers, Delektable Screamers, Zonkers, Mini Dungeons and Trevor’s Sculpins have all been good options. 

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August 16th – 22nd | Madison River Fishing Report

 

 

 

 

 

Water flows have been pretty stable right at historic average levels for a couple weeks now. Smoke from wildfires across the country have filled the valley with smoke which has certainly affected sunlight. We think the grasshoppers are starting to miss the bright sun but most of us fishermen are okay with a little break from it. Some are more impacted by the air quality. Be careful if you are.

 

Dry fly fishing has been good overall but the Ants have been a bit more consistent than the Hoppers for the last few days. Flies like the Delektable UV Cinnamon Chubbyness, Delektable Flying Ants, Bloom’s Stealth Ants, Yeager’s 409s, Grillo’s Hippie Stompers, Dornan’s Water Walkers, and several other Attractor Dry flies should get you some fish.

Nymphing is your best bet to get a few fish in the morning until about noon time. Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Formerly Known as Princes, Green Machines, smaller Pat’s Rubberlegs, Jig Lightning Bugs and Perdigons are good choices weather they’re trailed behind a streamer, dropped under a hopper or fished in tandem with each other under the Bobber.

Streamers have been fishing okay early and late in the day. Dead drifting smaller patterns with a nymph trailer is probably the best way to get ‘em. Zonkers, Bow River Buggers, Mini Loops, Trevor’s Sculpins, Mini Dungeons and Delektable Screamers should be about all you need out there to get a couple. Have fun fishing!

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