Varney Bridge Construction Update | June 7th

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Madison River near Varney Bridge will be closed to boat traffic on Monday, June 10.

The Madison River near the Varney Bridge will be temporarily closed to boat traffic on Monday, June 10 as crews remove the east side of the structure. Completion of work is dependent on good weather. Small sections of the river near the bridge will be restricted through Friday, June 14 as crews finish removing the structure.

Please visit the construction camera here for up-to-date views of the Varney Bridge.

During bridge removal:

  • Boats are restricted to a 6-foot maximum height clearance at the Varney Bridge.
  • Buoys in the river will direct boats through the construction zone.
  • The Fishing Access Site on the east side of the river will remain open for boats to exit the river.

Notification signage will be placed upstream and downstream of the bridge.

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May 29th – 31st | Henry’s Fork of the Snake River Fishing Report

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Beartooth Flyfishing

 

The day that Big Dan, Marty and Young Dan went to the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. It has been Salmonfly and Golden stone season down yonder way. We put in at Mesa Falls below the falls and floated a big double float to Ashton. The big bugs were everywhere at the boat ramp!!! Salmonflies covering the rocks and flying around, golden here and there, a sally or two and caddis of all sizes flying around. It was on. Bugs everywhere! It really felt like the middle of summer. The weather made it real nice as the bugs like the sun and heat. The fish were doing what they do and just crushing big bugs. It was on right away! We started out getting little fish on the big bug. Lots of little fish. (Dan sized fish). The bigger fish didn’t start eating until around 11am or so. The best times were 11am-1pm. Switching out with the rowing and the level of ridiculous “mature man” conversation kept it exciting all day….as usual with those two. 

A couple days later, Dan, Nancy and Marty did another float from the bridge down and had another great dry fly experience. They did have some weather role through but the conditions were still very good on the dry fly bite with lots of action for all.

The flies that worked for us the best.

Dries:

  • Home tied big nasty Salmonflies
  • Dornan’s Water Walker Peanut
  • Dornan’s Water Walker Golden
  • Delektable Secret Salmon and Secret Goldenstone
  • Delektable Chubbyness Royal

   

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May 27th – 31st | Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Beartooth Flyfishing

 

The water is high and muddy, but the Mighty Madison River is fishing considerably well! These are the times where the big streamers and the big nymphs are working the best. The bigger flies and streamers push and move through the water better than all the smaller stuff and the fish pick that up with their lateral line. The water might seem high and fast but focus on the sides of the banks and the pockets of water closer to the bank. The fish feel a little more comfortable with this color of water not having to worry about the birds and people as much. As far as the little flies and beadheads go, the guides have been putting them to them! The March brown has been a heavy hitter in a few different sizes but mostly 14’s. The BWO still picks up a fish or two here and there. Even the Squalla has been getting them in the net still. Soon we will be experiencing some warming weather and the snow will all be coming down, so get ready for the higher water and a little more color.

The flies that have been working have been steady going.

Dries:

  • Delektable Royal Chubbyness (sz 10)
  • Adams (sz 14)
  • Purple Haze (sz 14)
  • Caddis (sz 14-16)
  • Brown Drake and spinners (sz 12-14)
  • Midges (sz 18-20)

Nymphs

  • Delektable Mega Prince Standard (sz 4-8)
  • Delektable Stonfly Candy (sz 8)
  • Delektable Pheasant Tail Lil’ Spanker (sz 16)
  • Delektable Prince Brandon (sz 16)
  • Wire Worm (all sizes)
  • Wooly Buggers (sz 6 and 8)
  • Nyphicator (sz 16)
  • Prince nymph (sz 16)

Streamers

  • Any and all sizes will do, they are on it. When the bite is on, its on
  • The Delektable Double Screamers in most of the colors have been hot
  • The Delektable Single Screamers in White, Black , Badger and Black/Olive
  • Wool Heads on single hooks
  • Deer hair heads

Hope to see you out there enjoying the Big Montana Sky! Happy Fishing!!! -Dang

 

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Important Notice: May 28rd River Closed Under Varney Bridge

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Important Update from the Montana Department of Transportation:

Construction crews will begin removing the west side of the structure of Varney Bridge on Tuesday, May 28th. Completion of the work is dependent upon good weather. Boats will not be able to pass through Varney Bridge on May 28th.

During the Bridge Removal:

  • Boats are restricted to a 6-foot maximum height clearance at the Varney Bridge.
  • Buoys in the river will direct boats through the construction zone.
  • The river will be temporarily closed through the construction zone on Tuesday, May 28 when the steel structure is removed.
  • The Fishing Access Site on the east side of the river will remain open for boats to exit the river. 
  • Notification signage will be placed upstream and downstream of the bridge.

Please visit the construction camera here for up-to-date views of the Varney Bridge and information about closures and restrictions.

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May 20th – 26th | Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Runoff came for a few days and it left, the river has dropped about 500 c.f.s. at Varney since our last report. Visibility is just about perfect with 2 feet or so and a great blue/green color. We expect to see the creeks dirty back up by the end of the week so get out there and take advantage of the float section while it’s good! The water above the West Fork will remain a good option throughout runoff.

Most fish are being caught on nymphs, of course but the streamer fishing has been really great over the past few days as well. Dry fly fishing can be had either up around Three Dollar and Raynold’s Pass with Baetis and Midges or down below Varney with Caddis and March Browns. Our best patterns are as follows:

-Delektable Lil Spankers
-Delektable Prince Brandons
-Shop Vacs
-Morrish’s Anato May
-Zebra Midges
-JR’s Coneheads
-Flash Fry
-Sex Dungeons
-Sparkle Minnows
-Zonkers

-Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis
-Purple Craze
-Parachute Adams

Varney Bridge is expected to have another closure to float traffic under the bridge this week, weather depending. We will do our best to keep you up to date on that project and we also recommend keeping an eye out for signage at the access sites throughout the river for info on the project. Check out our last report for a link to the Montana Department of Transportation’s website for more info on the Varney Bridge construction.

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