Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 7/16/2019
Montana
Upper Madison: There’s still a wide variety of bugs around on the Madison at the moment. Caddis have been the most prevalent and consistent of the hatches, but we are still seeing decent numbers of PMD’s, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, Goldens and Salmonflies. The salmonflies have worked their way up and are strongest in the wade section now. Caddis have been starting about mid-morning most days and providing some great fishing all the way until dark. The nymphing has been consistent as usual. The rubber leg bite has more or less turned off at this point and we have found smaller caddis and mayfly patterns to be much more effective.
Flies: #8 Salmonfly Hotcake, #10 Henry’s Fork Stone, #10 Half-down Golden, #6-12 Chubby Chernobyl, #14 Full-tilt Sally, #14-16 X-Caddis, #16 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16 D.O.A. PMD Cripple, #16 Ausable Parawulff, #8-10 Sili-legs, #12-14 Biot Golden Stone, #14-16 Lake Prince, #14-16 Red Neck, #16 Green/Black Lightning Bug, #16-18 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #16-18 Krystal Dip, #16-18 Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear
Hebgen: Fishing on Hebgen remains inconsistent. We have seen some good callibaetis emergences some days but things are definitely not in full swing yet. Nymphing with callibaetis and chironomids and/or stripping some leeches is still the best way to consistently catch fish.
Flies: #12 Sno Cone, #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Parachute, #10 Simi Seal Leech, #8 Jig Bugger
Gallatin: The Gallatin is in fine form and fishing very well both inside and outside the park. For flies, be on the lookout for some stoneflies south of Big Sky and attractors should fish well throughout the entire river.
Flies: #12 Chili Dog, #14-16 Lime/Royal Trude, #14-16 Parawulff, #14 409, #8-12 Slamon/Golden Chubby Chernobyl
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone above the Falls: The Yellowstone above the Falls opened yesterday and it should be fishing well. This is one of our favorite places to try to go on the hunt for some big Cutts. This stretch of river is also a bug factory, so bring all your boxes. Don’t go over there with the intention of blind casting but rather stalking the high banks until you can spot a fish to target. Also, be cautious when wading here as this stretch of river is deceptively deep and fast.
Flies: #8-12 Slamon/Golden Cubby Chernobyl, #12 Chutes Green Drake, #12 Missing Link Green Drake, #14-16 Missing Link #16 D.O.A. PMD Cripple, #16 PMD Sparkle Dun, #12-16 Rusty Spinner
NE Corner: Slough is definitely clear and fishable and has been fishing very well so far. Lamar and Soda Butte should be shortly behind and could even be fishable by the time you are reading this. This is another one of those spots where you should bring all your boxes this time of year. If things are slow, don’t be afraid to throw a dropper off of your dry.
Flies: #12-16 Royal Trude, #12-16 Parawulff Adams, #12 Missing Link Green Drake, #14-16 Missing Link, #16 PMD Sparke Dun, #16 D.O.A. Cripple, #14 409,
Firehole/Madison: Temps are running high. As for the Firehole, we’ll see you in the fall. For the Madison, get in early and try to be off by noon at the latest.
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Tom Forsberg
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