Madison River Fishing Report 8/3/21
Montana
Upper Madison: Keep in mind of the Hoot Owl restrictions going on right now through this section and many other rivers in Montana, which means fishing is closed from 2PM until midnight each day. Despite the fishing being shut down early, the river continues to fish well. Not much left for hatches, but keep an eye out for a few caddis and mayfly spinners hanging around early. Hoppers, ants, and beetles have had some fish looking up the past few days, and a hopper dropper setup isn’t a bad option right now. Nymphing a two fly set up will be your best bet if you are looking for numbers. Perdigons, stoneflies, and smaller mayfly/caddis/attractor patterns have been good as of late.
Flies: #16-18 X Caddis, #16-18 Rusty Spinner, #16-18 ParaWulff, #12-14 Pink Thunder Thighs, #12-14 Tan Morrish Hopper, #14-16 Arricks Ant, #16 Nyman’s Flying Ant, #16 Olive Quill, #16 Holo-Point, #14-16 Prince Nymph, #14-16 Biot Golden Stone, #16-18 Redneck, #16-18 Krystal Dip, #16-18 Pheasant Tail
Hebgen: Not much has changed on the lake over the last week. Still hit or miss fishing out there, but seems to be getting better, especially in the early morning hours. Keep an eye out for fish rising to callibaetis and tricos on calm mornings. Searching around with an ant pattern can be effective if fish aren’t coming up. Nymphing a tandem rig with a callibaetis and chirnomids can be worth your time as well.
Flies: #16 Callibaetis Sparkle Dun, #16 Callibaetis Sprout, #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis,#16 Parachute Adams, #16 Rusty Spinner, #12 O.S Opal Buzzer, #16-18 Pheasant Tail, #14 Olive/Red Nugget, #8 Olive or Black Simi Seal Leech
YNP
All of Yellowstone Park rivers are under Hoot Owl restrictions also, meaning NO fishing after 2pm.
Gallatin: Cold water keeps the Gallatin both in and out of the park a solid option. Still some PMD’s, Caddis, and Spruce Moths out, but attractor and terrestrial patterns will be the name of the game here. If you aren’t getting much action on the surface, tie on a dropper nymph a few feet underneath a hopper or a bigger attractor dry fly.
Flies: #12-14 Purple Thunder Thighs, #16 Tan Chili Dog, #14 Tan Spruce Moth, #16 Hi-Viz Ant, #14 Red Foamulator, #12-14 Royal PMX, #14-16 Para-Wulff, #16-18 Redneck
NE Corner: Keep in mind that rainstorms will cause the Lamar and Soda Butte to blow out quite easily, so watch the Lamar gauge or call the shop for an update before heading over. Flows are very low, but both rivers are still fishing. Look for PMD’s some caddis, and a few baetis. Terrestrials and attractor dry flies have been solid options, same with a hopper with a dropper nymph trailing behind. Slough Creek continues to fish well. Look for spinner falls, PMDs, and some baetis here also.
Flies: #16-18 Olive Comparadun, #16 Arricks Ant, #18-20 Tilt Wing BWO, #14-16 Chubby Chernobyl, #12 Pink Chili Dog, #12-14 Yellow Morrish Hopper, #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Redneck, #16 Olive Quill Jig
Yellowstone above the falls: Still a few fish to be had. Watch out for PMD’s, Caddis, Flavs, and Grey Drakes. Hoppers, ants, and beetles have brought a few fish to the net as well. If fish aren’t looking up, trying swinging or stripping a wooly bugger or streamer pattern.
Flies: # 16 Tilt Wing PMD, #12-16 Para-Wulff, #16-18 X Caddis, #10-14 Pink Thunder Thighs, #16 Tan Chili Dog, #16 CDC Flying Ant
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Nick Toller
Author