September 25th-October 1st, 2023 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

We may be experiencing the last days of Summer surface action over the last week and what a fantastic week it has been. Trout are starting to change into their beautiful Fall colors to match the changing leaves and with the Autumnal equinox we are seeing Streamer fishing coming on in a big way!!

Streamflows are staying consistent and perfect at 1,150cfs@Kirby and 1,310cfs@Cameron. Trout have begun to move into the shallow riffle water and Whitefish have begun spawning. Conditions are perfect right now to catch the trout of a lifetime, the behemoth Trout are making their presence known and are on the hunt, hopefully, for the fly at the end of your line!

This past week Dries were consistently good as soon as it warmed up and through the afternoon if you could throw them in mixed windy days! Nymphing and Streamers have been consistent, smaller Nymph combos and Streamer/Nymph combos have been productive; Trout are starting to pod up and if you catch one fish in a hole you most likely will find many more.

Dries: Delektable Lil’ Chubby Royal, UV Olive or UV Tan #14-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive Brown, Royal or UV Goldrush #14-#16; Parachute Adams Sparkle Purple #16-#18; Royal Wulff Cripple #16-#18; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Purple or Tan #16-#18; Delektable Halo Dark Olive, Royal, Tan or Peacock #16-#18; Trico Thorax Dun #20; Etha Wing Dun Trico #20-#22; Half Drowned Moth, Hopper, Caddis #14-#16; Thunder Thighs Hopper Tan or Yellow #14; Delektable Slammer Black or Red #12-#14.

Nymphs: Delektable Curved Hook Ranch BWO  #16-#18; JuJu Flashback Baetis #18-#20; RS2 Olive #16-#20; Geppert Skinny Dip Brown, Pearl #16-#18; Delektable Tungsten BH Big Spanker Warrior #14-#18; Black BH PMD Nymph #16; Geppert Green or Red Machine #18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black or Black/Brown #10; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red, PT, Silver, Gold or Blue #16-#18; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Prince or Hare’s Ear #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #16-#18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Holo Red, PT or Holo Black #16-#18; Wire Worm Red or Orange/Red #4-#8; Flossy Worm Red #12-#14; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#18; Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Pearl or Silver #14-#16; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black #14-#16; Psycho Prince Purple #16-#18; BH Rainbow Warrior Red #16-#18.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Black/Olive; Delektable Double Screamer Olive Black, Olive Black in Gold, Black, Olive, White; Delektable Single Screamer Black, Olive/White, Olive/Black, White or Olive #6; McCune’s Sculpin Tan #4-#6; Dali Llama Olive/White or Black/Olive #6; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin or JJ #6; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive or Black #6; Flash Fry Olive/Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive or Natural #6; Mini Sculpin Black #10; Galloup’s Sex Dungeon Olive/Black or Tan #6; JR’s Conehead Streamer Olive #6; Fish Wacker Mini White #6; Sculpzilla White, Olive or Black #4-#8.

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September 11th- September 24th, 2023 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Cool mornings, warm days, calm waters, and fabulous fishing. Can you ask for anything more in beautiful Southwest Montana! We have had just the best Summer! And if you were lucky enough to be here the past two weeks, anglers have been blessed with beautiful weather and robust fishing experiences!

Fishing has been consistent, for most days, and by the later part of September we have started to see Trout start to move into the shallow riffles and pod up. Dries have been quite productive throughout the day; Caddis, Hoppers, Ants, Tricos and some BWOs are still holding strong. Nymphing with two smaller nymphs or size #10 or #8 Stones or a Streamer and Nymph trailer combo have brought some big smiles to many fly slingers!

We have changed our hours and are open from 8 am to 6 pm every day! Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are fully stocked for all your fishing needs and here to help you with all your upcoming adventures!

Dries: Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Tan, Royal, UV Cinnamon or UV Pink #14-#18; Delektable Halo Royal, Peacock or Mo River #16-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Purple or Olive Brown #12-#16; Micro Water Walker Peanut or Pink #14-#16; Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16; Yaeger’s 409 Red #14-#16; More or Less Hopper Yellow or Peach #10-#12; White Cloud Hopper Tan or Peach #12-#14; Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink or Tan #12-#14; Delektable Flying Ant Red, Purple or Black #14-#18; Delektable Lil’ Secret UV Pink, Royal or Goldrush #14-#18; and Parachute Adams Sparkle Purple #16-#18.

Nymphs: RS2 Olive or Grey #18-#20; BH Montana Bullet Black/Red #18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black or Black/Brown #10; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red, PT, Silver, Gold or Blue #16-#18; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH PT, Prince, Hare’s Ear or UV Purple #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #16-#18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Holo Red, PT or Holo Black #16-#18; Wire Worm Red or Orange/Red #4-#8; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#18; Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleg Black or Olive/Brown #8-#10; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Pearl or Silver #14-#16; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black #14-#16; BH Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#18; and Psycho Prince Purple #16-#18.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White; Delektable Double Screamer Olive Black, Olive/Black in Gold, Black, Olive, White; Delektable Single Screamer Black, Olive/White, Olive/Black, White or Olive #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive or Tan #4-#6; Zonkers Dark Olive, Tan, or Natural #8; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, or Natural #4; Dali Llama Olive/White or Black/Olive #6; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6; Conehead Zuddler Olive #6- #8; Flash Fry Olive/Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive or Natural #6; Mini Sculpin Black #10; Bunny Buster #8.

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September 4th-September 10th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Wet and Wild September is here! This week we saw some rainstorms and variable conditions and fishing matched these variable conditions, but some great fishing was achievable if you could crack the code from day to day. Size #16 Olive Caddis have been throughout the River in the afternoon to evening and the fish have started eating the Caddis Pupa early and throughout the day. Tricos have also been making a glorious appearance early in the morning and are a great option if you can see your Fly (and even if you can’t sometimes that’s better)! Ants are still strong on the River even with variable light conditions this week. Finding the right color of Ant has been the tricky part, Cinnamon seemed to be the most consistent this past week, subject to change next week! We have also experienced some October Caddis pattern colors working in Nymphs and Dries. It is always good to experiment. That is why we call this fishing!

Streamflows this week started at 1,120cfs@Kirby and 1,350cfs@Cameron and dropped midweek to 1,070cfs@Kirby and 1,210cfs@Cameron. We are looking great flow wise, Hebgen is full and is providing all the great cool water we need to navigate our waterways into the Big Fish Fall Season. Streamers have started to slowly turn on at the end of this week and Oh! Boy! are we all excited! Smaller light colored and Olive Streamers have been best.

Nymphing has been a solid option; Small Stoneflies #10-#12 or Wire Worm trailing a Caddis Pupa or Perdigon or Jig Hook style pattern. Targeting deeper runs when the sun is high and moving towards the banks as the sun moves down has been effective.

Dries: Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Cinnamon, UV Pink, Royal or 2 Tone UV Black #14-#18, Etha Wing Caddis Olive #16; Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness UV Goldrush or Goldenstone #12; Micro Water Walker Pink or Peanut #14-#16; Elk Hair Caddis Royal #16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Purple, Olive or Holo Olive #14-#16; Delektable Halo Royal, Mo River or Purple #14-#18; Delektable Lil’ Secret UV Caddis Green, Royal, Goldrush or UV Pink #16-#18; Craven’s Fat Angie Ant Gold/Cinnamon #16; Delektable Flying Ant Cinnamon, Purple or Red #16-#18; Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #16-#18; Thunder Thighs Hopper Peach or Yellow #10-#14; More-Or-Less Hopper Purple, Yellow or Peach #10-#12.

Nymphs: RS2 Black or Grey #18-#20; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black or Black/Brown #10; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red, PT, Silver or Blue #16-#18; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH PT, Prince, Hare’s Ear or UV Purple #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #16-#18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Holo Red, PT, Holo Silver or Holo Black #16-#18; Wire Worm Red or Orange/Red #4-#8; Delektable Prince Brandon #14-#18; Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; Geppert’s Master Emerger #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Brown/Black, or Olive/Brown #8-#10; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Pearl, or Silver #14-#16; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black, Brown, or Crystal #14-#16; BH Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#18; Hare’s Ear Caddis Sparkle Emerger #16-#18.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White; Delektable Double Screamer Olive, Black, Olive/Black in Gold, or White; Delektable Single Screamer Black, Olive/White, Olive/Black, White or Olive #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive or Tan #4-#6; Zonkers Dark Olive, Tan, or Natural #8; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, or Natural #4; Dali Llama Olive/White or Black/Olive #6; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6; Conehead Zuddler Olive #6- #8; Sculpzilla Black, Olive or Natural #8; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive or Natural #6; Mini Sculpin Black #10; JR’s Conehead Streamer Olive or Natural #6.

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August 28th-September 3rd | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

School is back in session, and it’s been a nice quiet change in the Valley this week. The feeling of Fall has been drifting around especially with the variable weather conditions we have had this past week. We still have some Summer left and the Ants, Nocturnals, Hoppers and Caddis in the evening is the name of the game!

Streamflows this past week stayed consistent at 1,100cfs@Kirby and 1,200cfs@Cameron. These flows are just perfect this time of the year to float, find the fish and have an incredible time!

The Dry game has still been phenomenal with lots of action and some larger Trout mixed in (if you can get ’em); a Dry/Dropper set up has been a favorite. The Worm with a trailing Jig Hook Nymph has been strong this August. We are still waiting for the Streamer game to come any day now, especially with cooler nights predicted in the future.

As always the pictures tell the best stories, especially those big smiles! Here at Beartooth Flyfishing we are open 7AM to 6PM serving the best free coffee in the Valley, the best selection of Flies and the greatest tales to go along with them! Come on by and let us help you have the best adventure possible!

Nymphs: RS2 Black or Grey #18-#20; BH Montana Bullet Black/Red #18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black or Black/Brown #10; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red, PT, Silver or Blue #16-#18; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH PT, Prince, Hare’s Ear or UV Purple #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #16-#18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Holo Red, PT or Holo Black #16-#18; Wire Worm Red or Orange/Red #4-#8; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#18; Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleg Black or Olive/Brown #8-#10; BH Lightning Bug Gold, Pearl or Silver #14-#16; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black #14-#16; BH Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-#18; Hare’s Ear Caddis Sparkle Emerger #16-#18.

Dries: Delektable Lil’ Chubby 2 Tone UV Black, Royal, UV Cinnamon or UV Pink #14-#18; Delektable Halo Royal or Mo River #16-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Purple or Olive Brown #12-#16; Micro Water Walker Peanut, Pink #14-#16; Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16; Yaeger’s 409 Red #14-#16; More or Less Hopper Yellow or Peach #10-#12; White Cloud Hopper Tan or Peach #12-#14; Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink or Tan #12-#14; Delektable Flying Ant Red, Purple or Black #14-#18; Delektable Lil’ Secret UV Pink or Goldrush #14-#18; Parachute Adams #14-#18.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White; Delektable Double Screamer Olive Black, Olive Black in Gold, Black, Olive, White; Delektable Single Screamer Black, Olive/White, Olive/Black, White or Olive #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive or Tan #4-#6; Zonkers Dark Olive, Tan, or Natural #8; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, or Natural #4; Dali Llama Olive/White or Black/Olive #6; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6; Conehead Zuddler Olive #6- #8; Flash Fry Olive/Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive or Natural #6; Mini Sculpin Black #10.

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August 21st-August 27th, 2023 | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Beartooth Flyfishing

Ants fly too and they are flying in swarms throughout the Madison River! While we are still waiting on those epic Hopper days we remember from days of yore; Ants are where the action is at! Later in the week we started to see the grass turning brown on the hills and the green grass is all around the river, perhaps those little Hoppers will find their way down to the water this coming week.

Streamflows this week started at 1,190cfs@Kirby and 1,400cfs@Cameron with a steady drop throughout the week to end at 1,090cfs@Kirby and 1,270cfs@Cameron. Fishing this week has been inconsistent on what has been working from day to day. Ant patterns either as a Dry or as a Nymph (remember most terrestrials are eaten underwater). Tandem small Nymphs and a Streamer/ Nymph combo have been productive. Hopper and Ant patterns on top have been productive for an abundance of juvenile fish and a smattering of large Trout mixed in!

This weekend’s Madison River Flyfishing Festival was a great success; what a wonderful time and way to celebrate our fishing community. Thank you to all the contributors and vendors that make this event so special every year!

Nymphs: Geppert’s Red Machine #18; RS2 Black #18-#20; BH Montana Bullet Black/Red #18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown, Black or Black/Brown #10; JH Tung Drop French Lick #16; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red, PT, Silver or Blue #16-#18; Delektable Hammerhead GTBH PT, Prince, Hare’s Ear or UV Purple #16-#18; Tungsten BH Jiggy Frenchie #16-#18; The Fly Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Delektable JH Tungsten Spanker Holo Red, PT or Holo Black #16-#18; Wire Worm Red or Orange/Red #4-#8; Delektable Prince Brandon #16-#18; Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberleg Black or Olive/Brown #8-#10; BH Lightning Bug Gold or Silver #14-#16; or Geppert’s Skinny Dip Black #14-#16.

Dries: Delektable Lil’ Chubby 2 Tone UV Black, Royal, UV Cinnamon or UV Pink #14-#18; Delektable Halo Royal or Mo River #16-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Purple or Olive Brown #12-#16; Dornan’s Micro Water Walker Peanut, Pink #14-#16; Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16; Yeager’s 409 Red #14-#16; More or Less Hopper Yellow or Peach #10-#12; White Cloud Hopper Tan or Peach #12-#14; Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink or Tan #12-#14; or Delektable Flying Ant Red, Purple or Black #14-#18.

Streamers: Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, or Yellow; Delektable Double Screamer Olive/Black, Olive/Black in Gold, Black, Olive, White, Yellow; Delektable Single Screamer Black, Olive/White, Olive/Black, White or Olive #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive or Tan #4-#6; Zonkers Dark Olive, Tan, or Natural #8; Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Black, or Natural #4; Dali Llama Olive/White or Black/Olive #6; Galloup’s Silky Kitty Black, Tan, White, or Olive; #6; Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6; Conehead Zuddler Olive #6- #8; Flash Fry Olive/Natural #6; Mini Loop Sculpin Olive or Natural #6; Galloup’s Mini Sex Dungeons Olive, Black, or Cream #6; or Mini Sculpin Black #10.

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