Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 7/24/2024

We at MRO are firm believers that size doesn't matter - a fish is a fish!

Montana

Hebgen: The lake has been heating up (in more ways than one). Theres been plenty of gulpers on the north shore, key in to the calmer days with just a tiny touch of chop. They're rising most often on callibaetis spinners and duns in the mornings and evenings, with the odd fish pounding damsels.  We've been producing pretty well on stripped leeches and similarly small streamers as well.
 
Flies: #8 Black or Olive Simi Seal Leech, #6 Balanced Squirrel Leech Black, #6 Olive or Black Hot Bead Leech, #8 Booby Leach, #8 Thin Mint, #18 BBQ Baetis, #12 Balanced Damsel, #14 Olive Nugget, #12 O.S. Buzzer, #16 Found Link Callibaetis, #16 Long Tailed Spinner Callibaetis,

#16 Purple Missing Link, #20 Low Water Baetis

Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 664.5 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1252 cfs
Kirby Flows: 1330 cfs

Temp @ Kirby: High - 68.18 F

                        Low - 57.56 F

** Flows as of 12pm June 24th, 2024 **

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MRO Guide BJ Stone's Client Paula tied up to a nice YNP Cutthroat

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Upper Madison: 

The upper is still fishing well, but the midday heat is certainly affecting the fishery. Nymphing is your best bet - the fish will be sitting deep or in the heavy water where the oxygen is. Watch the temperature in the coming days/weeks and look out for further FWP Hoot Owl restrictions - give em a break!

Flies: #16 Sunburst Perdigon, #16 Black OR Red Krystal Dip, #14 Olive Grub, #14 Pilva's Perdigon - Olive, #16 BWO Loopwing, #14 Iron Sally, #18 BWO Magic Fly, #16 Royal Chubby, #16 Rocky Mountain Mint - PMD, #14 Chocolate X-Caddis, #14 CDC & Elk Caddis - Black, #12 Royal Water Walker, #12 Fools Gold Golden Stone, #12 Peacock Chubby Chernobyl

MRO Guide Tom Forsberg and client Erin Matthews with a stout Upper Madison Brown

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MRO Guide Tom Forsberg and his Client showing off a BEAUTIFUL Upper Madison Brown 

YNP
The Northeast Corner of YNP is currently on hoot owl ( legal fishing hours -sunrise to 2pm)

With the recent ( much needed) closure of most of the fisheries on the western side of the park, our focus is shifting to the NE Corner of YNP. The Yellowstone, Lamar, Soda Butte, and Slough Creek are all currently on Hoot Owl restrictions, but still fishing decent in the mornings. These cutties are notorious for liking bright, bushy dries; and not being shy when it comes to rising. Smaller streamers can also be effective here. 

Flies: #14 UV Pink Chubby, #12 Royal Wulff, #12 Slough Creek Drake Mackerel, #12 Peacock Chubby, #8 Rio's Juicy Stone - Salmonfly, #16 DOA PMD, #18 CDC Biot BWO Comparadun, #16 Elk Hair Caddis - Dark Brown OR Olive, #18 Purple Missing Link, #6 CH Sparkle Minnow - Brownie, #6 Peanut Envy - Olive OR Brown

Flows:
Madison near West Yellowstone: - *closed*
Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake: - 2490 cfs
Gibbon: - *closed*

Firehole: - *closed*

Lamar: - 320 cfs - hoot owl
Gallatin near Big Sky: 390 cfs
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