Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 7/2/2019
Montana
Upper Madison: After a long, cool and wet spring, it feels like summer has finally arrived. And the weather isn’t the only thing heating up as the bug hatches on the Madison are really starting to pick up. Between hatches of salmonflies, yellow sallies, caddis and PMDs there are plenty of opportunities to fish dries. Our latest report has the salmonflies on the way up and nearing Varney. However, we’ll have to see how things progress throughout the week as it’s supposed to be rainy almost everyday. As always, nymphing remains a solid option. Stonefly, mayfly and caddis nymphs have all been effective lately. Give us a call for up to date reports on the big bugs.
Flies: #8 Salmonfly Hotcake, #10 Henry’s Fork Stone, #10 Half-down Golden, #14 Full-tilt Sally, #14-16 X-Caddis, #16 PMD Sparkle Dun, #8-10 Sili-legs, #12-14 Biot Golden Stone, #14-16 Lake Prince, #16 Frenchie, #14-16 Red Neck, #16 Green/Black Lightning Bug, #16 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #18-18 Krystal Dip, #16-18 Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear
Hebgen: Hebgen has been fishing great this past week. The north shore, Madison arm, Grayling arm and the south shore have all become really good options. The callibaetis have been a little hit or miss depending on the day, but the nymphing remains consistent. Floating callibaetis and chironomid nymphs either under an indicator or a callibaetis dry are both good tactics at the moment. The leech and bugger bite has also really taken off nicely as of late.
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 is now fishable and the water in the Park stretch looks great. Look for salmonflies just north and south of Big Sky. Dry dropper with a salmonfly and a sili legs dropper in any of the slower pockets and along the banks should produce nicely. Attractor dries such as parachute adams, trudes and stimulators will have you covered for the park stretch.
Yellowstone National Park
Firehole/Madison: Daytime temps on the Firehole have started to climb into the mid 70s. This means that our spring season on the Firehole might be nearing an end. The rainy weather this week could help extend things a bit, especially if you head in there for just morning and evenings. As for the fishing, look for PMDs and caddis for fishing dries and otherwise plan on swinging soft hackles.
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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