Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 10/8/19
Montana
Upper Madison: Fishing remains consistent on the Madison below Quake with smaller nymphs still being the name of the game right now. On the cloudier days we have been seeing some baetis coming off in the early afternoons. Look for fish rising in slower slicks behind larger rocks and tight to the banks. Be sure you have small enough flies and are getting a good drift as these fish can be pretty picky this time of year. There should be some good fish hanging between the lakes right now. Much like the stretch below Quake, nymphing will be your best bet. Rubber legs, worms and smaller nymphs should do the trick. Throwing some streamers around in this stretch is never a bad idea in there this time of year as well.
Flies: #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis Cripple, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun, #12-16 Royal Trude, #16-18 Purple Parachute, #10-12 Black Sili Legs, #16 Lake Prince, #16-18 Shop Vac, #18 Red Neck, #16-18 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
Gallatin: Nymphing will be your best bet on the Gallatin. Rubber legs with a smaller midge or baetis dropper will be the best producers. As usual and especially this time of year, no need to get to the river too early. Give things some time to warm up until the late morning or early afternoon hours.
Flies: #14-16 Lake Prince, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Red Neck, #12 Pink/Purple Hot Spot Jig, #8-12 Black Sili Legs, #14-16 Lime/Royal Trude, #12-16 Parawulff, #14 409, #8-12 Royal/Peacock/Golden Chubby Chernobyl
Yellowstone National Park
Madison in YNP: There’s plenty of fish in the system at this point and fishing has been about as consistent as we could hope for. All techniques whether nymphing, swinging soft hackles or stripping streamers have been producing. It’s definitely that time of year to get out there and see if you can land that one fish that makes it all worth it. In the early afternoons during some of the cloudier days, it pays to be on the lookout for baetis coming off in some of the slower stretches as well.
Flies: #8-12 Peacock/Orange/PT & Partridge, #10-12 Partridge and Copper, #8-10 Simi Seal Leech, #6 Sparkle Minnow, #8 Squirrel Leech, #6 Mini Bangtail, #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis Cripple, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun
Firehole: No surprises here as the Firehole continues to fish really well. In the right weather, look for fish to be rising to baetis starting around noon. Swinging soft hackles throughout the day is always a great option and will produce before, during and after the hatch.
Flies: #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis Cripple, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun, #14 Tan/Olive Diving Caddis, #10-14 Orange/Green & Partridge, #10 Simi Seal Leech
NE Corner: Slough, Lamar and Soda Butte are all fishing well and are good options right now if you want to get away from some of the crowds on the Madison and Firehole. These rivers that are usually packed with anglers during July and August tend to thin out considerably this time of year. Look for drake mackerels and baetis in the late mornings and early afternoons. If the weather clears up this weekend and the sun comes out, it wouldn’t hurt to try fishing some hoppers, beetles and ants.
Flies: #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis Cripple, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun, #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
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Tom Forsberg
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