Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 5/28/2019
Montana
Upper Madison: The weather this past week stayed pretty true to the forecast with most days reaching highs somewhere in the 40’s and plenty of wind and rain. The cooler weather did a good job of putting a temporary hold on runoff. Flows have been pretty consistent and have even been slowly trending downward, which is unusual for this time of year. However, look for water levels to rise and some color to return to the river once we get a few days in the 60’s again this coming week. Tactics remain largely the same as the last few weeks. The nymphing continues to be very consistent where you can find some soft pockets of water and any sort of sudden depth change. Sili legs, worms, and an assortment of smaller nymphs will be your best producers. If you’re intent on fishing dries, look for a few fish to be rising to baetis in the afternoons when they aren’t getting gusted off the water by high wind. A Chubby with a dropper has still been a fun way of getting a few fish to the net throughout the day as well.
Flies: #8-10 Sili-legs, #12-14 Biot Golden Stone, San Juan Worm, #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Red Neck, #16 Black Lightning Bug, #16 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #16-18 DOA Baetis Cripple, #16-18 Baetis Sparkle Dun, #12-14 Royal Chubby, #12-14 Peacock Chubby
Hebgen: The lake continues to fish well. Suspending a pair of chironomid nymphs a few feet under an indicator is definitely going to be the best producer. Experiment with your depth until you key into where the fish are cruising at.
Gallatin: The Gallatin remains fishable below Taylor’s Fork for now, though you will be pretty much limited to nymphing with patterns such as Sili Legs, San Juan worms and some hot-spot nymphs. The park stretch is now open as well, though there is no need to rush over there first thing in the morning as it is running pretty cold. Nymphing will also be the best bet in this stretch, though it often pays to throw some attractor dries around.
Yellowstone National Park
Firehole/Gibbon/Madison: We had a good number of really positive reports from opening weekend. Look for fish to be rising to baetis and PMD’s during the early afternoon hours. White Miller’s and other Caddis will be most prolific during warmer and sunnier weather, but there always seem to be a few fluttering around that the fish key in on. If you don’t happen to catch a hatch in there, try swinging some soft hackles or small streamers.
Flies: #16-18 DOA Baetis Cripple, #16-18 Baetis Sparkle Dun, #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 PMD Cripple, #14 Tan Spruce Moth, #16 Tan X-Caddis, #12 Partridge & Green, #12-14 Partridge & PT, #14 Tan/Olive Caddis Diver, #10 Simi Seal Leech
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Tom Forsberg
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