Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 09/19/2022
Montana
Hebgen: Reports of gulpers have all but stopped recently. You may still find some tricos and callibaetis on the lake but rising fish have been little tough to find, with a fair amount of “one and done” risers. If you’re finding rising fish but struggling to get them to eat something natural, you can always try un-matching the hatch with a damselfly or ant. Suspending a Turkey Callibaetis or pheasant tail under an indicator has also been effective on those tougher mornings.
Flies: #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Parachute Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Cripple, #16 Callibaetis Spinner, #20 Calf Wing Trico Spinner, #16-18 Arrick's Ant
Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 811.4 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 811.4 cfs
Kirby Flows: 875 cfs
** Flows as of 12 pm Sept. 18, 2022
Upper Madison: The nymph bite has been consistent with smaller flies; a good drift will be the key to hooking fish. If you’re wanting to throw dries, a hopper or ant pattern could play. Throw smaller with a vibrant tone of color and see what happens. You could also double down on the dries by throwing a smaller ant pattern behind a hopper has been fishing well. Keep an eye out for Baetis coming off the water especially with the grey weather we have had lately.
Flies: #12-16 Royal Chubby Chernobyl #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #8-12 Tan, Pink and Yellow Thunder Thighs, #16-18 Arrick’s Ant, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawulf, #16-18 Shop Vac, #14-18 Red Neck, #14 Red HoloPoint, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Olive S.H. Hare’s Ear
YNP
West Entrance: The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon have all been fishing well recently. Soft Hackles and nymphs remain the name of the game on in the park stretch of the Madison, with a couple fish being fooled by streamers. We have been seeing a few lake fish, hopefully this weather coming pushes some more into the system. The Firehole has fished well with soft hackles, and be sure to have some small baetis dry fly patterns too.
Flies: #8-12 Partridge and Peacock, #8-12 Partridge and Orange, #14 Diving Caddis, #8 Simi Seal Leech, #6 Olive Mini Sex Dungeon, #6 Royal Sparkle Minnow, #10-12 Sili Legs, #14-16 Lake Prince, #16-18 Pheasant Tail, #, #18 Tilt Wing BWO, #18-20 Sprout Baetis
Gallatin: No need to get too early of a start if you want to fish the Gallatin. Take your time and let things warm up a little. Nymphs, soft hackles, and small streamers are all in play. If the forecast stays true and we get some dark and rainy days mid-week, be watching for Baetis to be coming off.
Flies: #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Green Lightning Bug, #16-18 Black Krystal Dip, #18 ICU Midge, #18 Split Case BWO, #14 Partridge and Peacock, #16 Soft Hackle Hares Ear, #18 Parachute Adams, #18 Tilt Wing BWO, #18 Baetis Cripple, #8 Simi Seal Leech, #6 Olive Slumpbuster
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Peter Greubel
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