Reporting from the floatable section of the Lower Gallatin below Manhattan and the report is that fishing is RED HOT! This section of the Gallatin really does not see much traffic and the fishing in the Spring can be epic! Caddis, BWOs, and March Browns were hatching heavily throughout the day. A lot of refusals with offerings on the top; however, the Nymph was crushed throughout the day. Some decent Streamer action in the morning but the Nymphing set up was the prevailing winner of the day. If you ever want to get out and enjoy some fishing without a big crowd, the Lower Gallatin is the ticket!
Nymphs: Delektable Kaboom Stone #6-#10; Delektable Sparkle FB Kaboom Stone #6-#10; Delektable Mega Prince STD, STD FB, or Olive FB #6-#10; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Olive/Brown, or Black/Brown #6-#10; Delektable Prince Brandon #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT #14-#18; Shop Vac Olive or Brown #14-#16.
Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White, Black, or Black/Olive #6; Zonker Dark Olive #6.
Springtime on the Lower Madison can give an eerie feeling if your used to fishing this awesome stretch of river in the Summer. Void of tubes and seas of half clothed bodies; the serene scene of the Springtime makes one forget that this stretch of the River ever sees people.
Fishing this week was productive earlier in the day and more challenging with wind conditions and less productive catching as the day progressed. Trout have yet to be seen holding in the shallows and have been found still holding in the deeper water waiting for a tasty snack to happen their way. Nymphing with Worms, Crawfish and smaller Nymphs have been the most productive.
Regardless of how fishing may or may not be, being out on the water and having the River to yourself is a reward in and of itself, and one that is hard earned by hearty fisherman braving the conditions.
Nymphs: Wire Worms Pink or Red #6-#8; Flossy Worm Red or Pink #6-#8; Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #16-#18; Shop Vac Olive or Brown #14-#16; Delektable Hammerhead Jig Hook GTBH Hare’s Ear or Holo Green #14-#16; Claws R Crawfish Olive or Tan #8; Chickabou Craw Olive or Tan #6; Snapping Craw #8.
The stunning, meandering waters of the Jefferson have proved to not be void of fish, rather calm waters run deep, and this week proved that life always finds a way.
Stream flows this week were 1,450cfs @ Twin Bridges and 1,650cfs @ Three Forks and rose to 2,260cfs @ Twin Bridges and dropped to 1,610cfs @ Three Forks in a three-day time span. The Jefferson is truly a river that it pays to have a good guide on. Understanding where the fish live and like to hold in changing conditions, which in the Spring can fluctuate dramatically, can make a good day or a tough day. This week there was some Dry Fly Skwala action on top, but it was shadowed by the Nymph bite. A Stonefly followed by a Worm or smaller Nymph was the choice set up. A smattering of Tricos and Caddis were spotted this week with pods of Fish sipping on the surface. Streamers were hit or miss this week, but some great chases did occur.
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Olive/Brown or Brown/Black #6-#10; Wire Worms Pink or Red #6-#8; Delektable Twinkle Black or Red #20-#22; Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20; Serendipity Red #16-#18; Delektable Mega Prince Olive FB #8-#10.
Dries: Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Holographic Olive #14-#16; Delektable Sparkle Bug Dark Olive #14-#16; Delektable Halo Dark Olive #14-#16; Para Adams #12-#14; Delektable Secret Stone UV Dark Olive #10-#12; MFC Water Walker Skwala Olive #12; Snowshoe Trico #20; Trico Thorax Dun #20; Etha Wing Dun-Trico #20-#22.
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6; Delektable Screamer Single Brown/Yellow or Olive/White #6.
Oh, how the winds of fate and fishing provide adventures.
On our early-season trip to the Big Hole River, we were greeted with scattered rain, cold temperatures, and strong winds. The conditions tested rowers and casters, but all forged undaunted and found success on one of the most beautiful rivers in the West.
Multiple strategies were tried, with a Streamer/Nymph combo being the best. Right now, is a great time to enjoy the water by yourself and catch some awesome views and great fish!
Nymphs: Delektable FB Sparkle Kaboom Stone #6-#10; Wire Worm Pink or Red #4-#6; Delektable Hurless Nymph Olive FB #8-#10; Lightning Bug Gold #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black/Brown or Olive/Brown #6-#10; Delektable Lil’ Spanker PT #18-#20.
Dries: Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Dark Olive #12-#14; MFC Water Walker Skwala #10-#12; Para Adams #12-#14; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Holographic Olive #14; Delektable Sparkle Bug Dark Olive #14.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the crew at Beartooth Flyfishing! All the residents of the Madison Valley have been blessed with some beautiful mild weather recently and the fishing has been excellent. If the Dry Fly game is what you want you can find that up high in the Wade Section with Midges, which have been very active on calmer days. But if you want numbers the Nymphing right now is tremendous. The flows on the Upper Madison currently stand at 864cfs at Kirby and 1,090cfs at Cameron.
Dan was able to get out on the river with our Shop Manager Ryan on St. Patrick’s Day and again with one of our guides Sean on Tuesday, March 21st. We also sent our first guide trip of 2024 out on the 21st as well. Each of these trips were blessed with Sunny Skies, Mild temps flirting with 60 degrees, and No “W”!! The fishing with Nymphs was simply amazing. Double Stonefly Rigs, or a Stone trailed by a smaller Pheasant Tail or Midge pattern was extremely popular with our Trout friends living in the River. Nice Trout were being hooked throughout the River. The banks, behind and to the sides of boulders, and in the heavy water with depth in the middle of the River as well. Rods were bent consistently throughout each of the trips and the Trout of the Madison are Fat, Healthy, and Happy!
We haven’t heard of any consistent Streamer reports recently. But a properly placed chunk of Bunny Fur could certainly pay dividends either dead drifted or stripped slowly.
