Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 6/25/2019
Montana
Upper Madison: Water levels are dropping each day as the flows coming out of the dam continue to be decreased. Once the lake is full we should see flows come back up again. Fishing subsurface with nymphs and streamers remains the best way of catching fish for the time being, though with a nicer extended forecast in store we can hope for some bugs to get going here within the next week or two. Hopefully this time next week we’ll have a good idea of when salmonflies might get rolling! If you’re looking to fish dries, your best bet will be looking for baetis during cloudy days. Another option is to head down in the evening hours, when we have been seeing a good amount of caddis, albeit not very consistently.
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, #16-18 DOA Baetis Cripple, #16-18 Baetis Cripple, #14-16 X-Caddis
Hebgen: Hebgen has still been a little inconsistent from day to day, but when it’s been good it’s been really good. Chironomid and callibaetis nymphs under an indicator has been the most effective method, but stripping some leeches and buggers has provided some decent action also. There’s been a good amount of callibaetis that have been bringing some fish up, but it has still been a lot of “one-and-done” risers without tracking very well.
Flies: #12 Sno Cone, #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Parachute, #10 Simi Seal Leech, #8 Jig Bugger
Gallatin: The Gallatin below the Taylor Fork has cleared up to a nice green hue over the last few days. Nymphing a large rubber legs with a worm or smaller hot-spot trail fly and finding any soft spots along the banks or behind rocks will be your best bet. Salmonflies should be getting primed up and ready to go. Hopefully the water will clear to coincide with the arrival of big bugs. In the park stretch, attractor dries and nymphs should be productive. As always for this time of year, make sure to bring your bear spray in this stretch.
Yellowstone National Park
Firehole/Madison: The cooler weather and cold overnight temps of late have helped to keep the Firehole running nice and cool. The soft hackle fishing continues to be fantastic and you could easily make a day of swinging them. Look for PMD’s and caddis to provide you with a chance to fish dries.
Flies: #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 PMD Hairwing Dun, #16 PMD Foam Emerger, #17 Green Iris Caddis, #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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