Madison River Outfitters 9/10/2019
Montana
Upper Madison: We all knew the excellent hopper fishing we have had so far this season would slow down at some point, and that time seems to have arrived. Summer seemed to turn to fall pretty much overnight and this cooler rainy weather that has moved in the last few days looks like it’s here to stay for awhile. We are even expecting some snow in the early mornings over the next few days. You could still throw some hoppers, ants and other terrestrials around throughout the day with some success, it just won’t be nearly as consistent as the past few weeks have been. The good news that comes with some of this nasty weather is that we should see some baetis in the near future, so be on the lookout for them on these inclement weather days. The nymph bite remains consistent with the same smaller nymphs we have been using lately and we have also seen a return to fish eating rubber legs over the last few days.
Flies: #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis Cripple, #18-20 Sparkle Dun, #10-12 Pink/Tan/Yellow Thunder Thighs, #10-12 Morrish Hopper, #14-16 Arrick’s Ant, #16 Nyman’s Flying Ant, #14-16 Bogus Beetle, #12-16 Royal Trude, #16-18 Rusty Spinner, #16-18 Purple Parachute, #10-12 Black Sili Legs, #16 Lake Prince, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Red Neck, #16-18 Green/Black Lightning Bug, #16-18 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #16-18 Krystal Dip, #16-18 Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear, #18 Black/Olive Zebra Midge
Hebgen: This cooler weather will definitely slow things down on the lake as far as the callibaetis go. When this is the case, switching strategies to suspended nymphs and leeches/streamers is a good bet. Fish should be starting to stage up in both the Madison and Grayling arms so both of these spots would be good to try.
Flies: #16 Callibaetis Parachute, #16 Callibaetis Sparkle Dun, #16 Callibaetis Cripple, #16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16-18 Olive Flashback Hare’s ear, #8 Simi Seal Leech
Gallatin: Given the recent turn in the weather nymphing will be your most consistent way of catching fish now, especially during the cooler mornings. If you do get a little break with some sun and warmth in the afternoon, terrestrials and attractors should still fish well both inside and outside the park.
Flies: #14-16 Lake Prince, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Red Neck, #12 Pink/Purple Hot Spot Jig, #12 Morrish Hopper, #10-12 Thunder Thighs Hopper, #14-16 Lime/Royal Trude, #12-16 Parawulff, #14 409, #8-12 Royal/Peacock/Golden Chubby Chernobyl
Yellowstone National Park
NE Corner: When the weather turns in the fall like this, we start to see really good emergences of Drake Mackerels on Slough, Soda Butte and Lamar as these drakes come off strongest in cloudy weather. Don’t head over there without some of these in your box from now until the end of the season. Terrestrials and attractor patterns should continue to produce as well, especially on the warmer and sunnier days.
Flies: #12 Drake Mackerel Cripple, #10-14 Peacock/Royal Chubby, #16 Longhorn Beetle, #14-16 Bogus Beetle, #14 Arrick’s Ant, #12 Thunder Thighs Hopper, #12-16 Royal/Lime Trude, #12-16 Parawulff Adams, #14 409, #12 Quill Jig, #12 Lucent Jig, #16 Olive Biot Czech
Madison in YNP: Another piece of good news that comes with this cold and rainy weather is that it has cooled down rivers like the Madison and Firehole so these are now becoming fishable again. This type of weather should start getting some of those lake fish moving upriver into the Madison and we have already had reports of lake fish being hooked all the way up to Barns. So begins the fall fishing madness. Please remember to be respectful and courteous out there this fall. Use common sense when it comes to interacting with other anglers and if you’re not sure of the etiquette that goes with fall park fishing, never hesitate to ask!
Flies: #8-12 Peacock/Orange/PT & Partridge, #10-12 Partridge and Copper, #8-10 Simi Seal Leech, #6 Sparkle Minnow, #8 Squirrel Leech
Firehole: The Firehole has been cooling down a little more each day, but is still running just a touch warm in the afternoons. However, it is totally fishable in the mornings and should fish well with soft hackles, small streamers and baetis.
Flies: #14 Tan/Olive Diving Caddis, #10-14 Orange/Green & Partridge, #10 Simi Seal Leech
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Tom Forsberg
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