Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 6/23/20
Montana
Upper Madison: It’s an exciting time of year for the Madison! The nymphing has been dynamite and the river is about ready to come alive with all of our big hatches in the coming days and weeks. We have been hearing rumblings of Salmonflies down near Ennis and we have started seeing caddis and PMDs in good numbers as well. The fish have started to be more surface oriented so caddis, PMDs and attractor patterns are all good options. Flows coming out of Hebgen have been cut significantly over the last few days as the dam folks do their seemingly annual tradition of scrambling to fill the lake by the end of June, but fishing will be fantastic in the coming weeks regardless.
Flies: #8-10 Sili-legs, #12-14 Biot Golden Stone, #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Red Neck, #14-16 Lake Prince, #16 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon, #16 HoloPoint, #16 Olive Biot pupa, #16 Shop Vac, #16 Olive S.H. Hare’s Ear, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawullf, #16 Shop Vac, #16-18 X-Caddis
Hebgen: The fishing on Hebgen has been staying consistent and should only continue to get better if the weather cooperates this week. Chironomid nymphs under an indicator is still going to be most productive, but there have been a few Callibaetis starting to show themselves in the Madison Arm.
Flies: #12 O.S. Opal/Red Buzzer, #14 Black/Red Nugget, #14-16 Flashback PT, #16 Parachute Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Cripple
Gallatin: The Gallatin spiked a bit again with the rainy weather this past week, so nymphing and streamers in slower, softer water near the banks will continue to be your best bet. We are supposed to get more rain this week that could dirty things up, especially below Taylor Fork, but as the river drops keep an eye out for Salmonflies to start popping here as well.
Yellowstone National Park
Firehole/Gibbon: The Firehole is starting to warm up and this may be our last week of fishing in there. If you are headed there, I would try to stay up in the cooler water above Midway. Look for PMDs and White Millers and as always, swinging soft hackles is a good option. We have heard some positive reports coming from the Gibbon. Look for PMDs above the falls and it could be worth prospecting below the falls with a smaller golden stone pattern or chubby.
Flies: #16 Parachute PMD, #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 PMD Cripple, #14 Tan Elk Hair Caddis, #14 Tan/Olive Diving Caddis, #12 Partridge & Green, #12 Partridge & Peacock, #14 Partridge & PT
Madison: Though they have mostly run their course in the park, we have still been getting a few fish to come up and look at a Salmonfly. It’s worth a shot if you’re looking for something different to try on this side of the park.
Flies: #10 Hot Cake Salmonlfly, #8-12 Razorback Salmonfly, #8 Supafly Salmonfly
Slough/Soda Butte/Lamar: The water is still running a little high in the NE corner, but we aren’t too far out from these rivers clearing up. While you won’t find rising fish up there yet, you could probably pick up a fish or two fishing some heavy nymphs or streamers if you’re heading that way. Slough may be your best bet as it is usually the first of these three to clear up.
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Tom Forsberg
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