Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 6/18/19
Montana
Upper Madison: It’s been a strange spring on the Madison when it comes to runoff. Alternating between warmer and cooler weather has kept it from really blowing up all at once but moreso in stages up to this point. The forecast isn’t calling for any real hot days in the near future, meaning that unless we get some unexpected hot days, this may be the peak of runoff for the spring. The river is definitely up right now, but currently but remains very fishable in both the wade and float sections. The wade section is nymphing well with more or less the same patterns we have been using over the past number of weeks. Sili Legs, worms, dips, lightning bugs, and hot-spot patterns have all been working well. As for the float section, the West Fork is pumping in some brown color but it is pretty well confined to the river left bank. Again, nymphing will be most consistent, but the streamer bite has also been producing nicely over the past week. Depending on the day there have been a fair number of caddis around and fish have been rising to them, albeit not very consistently. But it’s something to keep an eye out for.
Flies: #8-10 Sili-legs, #12-14 Biot Golden Stone, San Juan Worm, #14 Lake Prince, #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Red Neck, #16 Green/Black Lightning Bug, #16 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #16-18 Soft Hackle Hares Ear, #16 Orange Mary
Hebgen: Hebgen has proven to be a little more hit or miss than it should be lately, but overall things definitely seem to be getting rolling. The chironomid fishing under an indicator will still produce best, but keep an eye out for fish rising to both midges and a few callibaetis that we have just recently started to see.
Flies: #12 Sno Cone, #16 Zebra Midge, #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Parachute, #10 Simi Seal Leech, #8 Jig Bugger
Gallatin: The Gallatin is still big and dirty down from the Taylor Fork. Above the Taylor Fork and into the Park stretch should have some decent clarity and be fishable. Stonefly and attractors for both nymphs and dry flies should be all you need heading here. No need to get to the river first thing as the water will take a while to warm up throughout the day. Make sure to bring your bear spray if you plan to fish in this stretch.
Yellowstone National Park
Firehole/Madison: The Firehole and Madison have been fishing about as well as we could ask for. On the Firehole, caddis and PMDs will provide you with dry fly action and the wet fly has been very consistent and productive. Both Firehole Canyon and the Madison would be good places to try throwing around some big bushy dry flies over the coming days and weeks.
Flies: #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 PMD Hairwing Dun, #16 PMD Foam Emerger, #14 Tan Spruce Moth, #16 Tan X-Caddis, #12 Partridge & Green, #12-14 Partridge & PT, #14 Tan/Olive Diving Caddis, #10 Simi Seal Leech
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Tom Forsberg
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