The Heat in On this week and the 10 day forecast predicts it won’t be letting up this coming week either. Hoot Owl is in effect on the Upper Madison River from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake which translates that this stretch of river is closed to fishing from 2:00pm to Midnight. Our temperatures as of this writing are staying good on the rest of the Upper Madison and we should be in the clear during this heatwave. Thankfully we have the Dam Keepers with Northwestern Energy at Hebgen Dam that are diligently watching temperatures and managing flows appropriately to protect our precious resource. We do have Hoot Owl restrictions throughout the state on numerous rivers; the link following has information about the latest restrictions, https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures.
Streamflows this week started at 1,150cfs @ Kirby and 1,450cfs @ Cameron, a rise starting Tuesday to 1,300cfs at Kirby and 1590cfs at Cameron and finishing off the week at 1,310cfs @ Kirby and 1,530cfs @ Cameron.
Fishing this week has been very consistent with Nymphs and Emergers. The Dries (especially if you’re fishing the right combo) have been also quite productive. Caddis, PMDs, Summer Stones and some Hopper action has been the ticket! As the heat continues the upcoming week, Hatches will be starting earlier in the day and Trout will holding in the deeper cooler water during the day.
With the hotter conditions continuing this coming week, remember to use heavier tippet to bring your trout in quickly, handle your trout as short as possible and resuscitate your catch in the water before releasing. Whenever possible keep the trout wet and in the water. Also hydrate yourself, you can never have too much water when temperatures are climbing in the 90’s!
Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Gold, Silver, Olive Green or PT #18-#14; B.H. Lightning Bug Gold or Silver #14-#18; Formerly Known as Prince #14-#18; Geppert’s Skinny Dip Brown, Pearl or Black #14-#16; Split Case PMD #16-#18; Pat’s Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black #6-#10; Delektable Prince Brandon #8-#16; B.H. Montana Bullet Black #18; Delektable Guide Stone Olive/Brown #8-#10; One Man Party Caddis #16; Electric Caddis Olive #16; Delektable TSBH Big Spanker Warrior #16-#18; BH Tungsten Jig FB Pheasant Tail #14-#18; Jig Duracell Copper Top #16; JH Napoleon Light Olive #18; Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Miller Time, PT, Pale Olive PMD or Holo Gold #16-#18; Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #8-#10; Three Dollar Dip Olive or Brown #16.
Dries: Z-Caddis Olive #14-#16; Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush, Royal or UV Caddis Green #14-#18; Parachute Caddis Tan #14-#16; PMD Parachute Rusty Spinner #14-#16; Cornfed Caddis Tan or Olive #16; Missing Link Caddis Amber #16; Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Olive or Cinnamon #16-#18; Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Caddis Green, UV Olive, Royal or UV Cinnamon #14-#18; Delektable Chubbyness Olive/Brown, Rootbeer, Royal or UV Cinnamon #12-#16; Hi-Vis Slickwater Caddis #16-#18; King’s Wedgewing PMD #16; Elk Hair Caddis Black #18; CDC Dun PMD #16; PMD Spinner #16; Hi-Vis Thunder Thighs Hopper Pink or Tan #12-#14; Morrish’s Hopper Pink or Green #12-#14; Juicy Hopper Pink #12.
Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single Olive/White, Black/Olive, Yellow, Olive/Yellow #6; Zonker Dark Olive, Natural Pearl or Natural Copper #6-#8; Shelia Sculpin #4; Sculpzilla Olive/White #8; JR’s Conehead Streamer #6; McCune’s Sculpin Olive #8; Mini-Loop Sculpin Olive #6; Fish Whacker Mini Olive #6; Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin or Smoke #6.
