Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 8/13/2019
Montana
Upper Madison: Terrestrial time has come upon us in a huge way over the last few days. Our guides returned yesterday with reports of some of the best hopper fishing they have seen in their many decades of combined experience. People tend to have a few misconceptions when it comes to hopper fishing, thinking that throwing them tight to the banks on a bright and windy afternoon is the only time to try throwing hoppers, but this is not always the case. While those types of conditions are ideal, hoppers and other terrestrials can fish well all throughout the day and more importantly all throughout the river, not just the banks. Some great fishing can be had off the banks and even in the middle of the river on any given day, so don’t be afraid to branch out and try some new tactics with your terrestrial fishing. Apart form the terrestrial fishing taking off, the evenings have been fishing well with a combination of caddis and rusty spinners. Nymphing with smaller flies in the 16-18 range will produce good fishing all day.
Flies: #10-12 Pink/Tan/Yellow Thunder Thighs, #10-12 Morrish Hopper, #14-16 Arrick’s Ant, #14-16 Bogus Beetle, #12-16 Royal Trude, #16-18 X-Caddis, #18 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16-18 Rusty Spinner, #16-18 Purple Parachute, #16 Lake Prince, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Red Neck, #16-18 Green/Black Lightning Bug, #16-18 Guide Dip/$3 Dip, #16-18 Krystal Dip, #16-18 Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear, #18 Zebra Midge
Hebgen: We are still waiting for consistent dry fly fishing to really pick up on the lake, but we are seeing somewhat more steady hatches of callibaetis most days. The good news is that when there have been bugs on the water the fish have been keying in on them pretty well and rising more than once, making them considerably easier to target. As always, dropping a size 16 Turkey Callibaetis a few inches under a dry or an indicator can be very effective.
Flies: #16 Callibaetis Parachute, #16 Callibaetis Sparkle Dun, #16 Callibaetis Cripple, #16 Turkey Callibaetis
Gallatin: With all the recent evening thunderstorms, the Gallatin has been muddy below Taylor Fork off and on most of the week. However, it should clear up nicely for the next few days at least as the forecast isn’t calling for any more moisture until later in the week. The park stretch has been running clear as usual. Terrestrial and attractor patterns should fish well throughout. It might be about that time of year to start throwing a spruce moth around in the more forested canyon stretch. If you can time it right, spruce moth fishing can be quite the experience. It is remarkable how crazy fish will go for these bugs.
Flies: #12 Chili Dog, #14-16 Lime/Royal Trude, #12-16 Parawulff, #14 409, #8-12 Royal/Peacock/Golden Chubby Chernobyl, #16 Tan X-Caddis, #14 Elk Hair Caddis, #14 Tan/Orange Spruce Moth, #16-18 Rusty Spinner
Yellowstone National Park
NE Corner: Nothing too much new to report here. Terrestrials, caddis, PMD’s, and a few stray drakes will provide you with plenty of action for dry fly fishing. Be sure to check the Lamar river gauge before heading over later in the week as the forecast is calling for some storms starting around Thursday.
Flies: #10-12 Pink/Tan/Yellow Thunder Thighs, #10-12 Morrish Hopper, #14-16 Arrick’s Ant, #14-16 Bogus Beetle, 12-16 Royal Trude, #12-16 Parawulff Adams, #12 Missing Link Green Drake, #14-16 Missing Link, #16 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16 D.O.A. PMD Cripple, #16 Tan X-Caddis, #14 409, #12 Quill Jig, #12 Lucent Jig, #16 Olive Biot Czech
Yellowstone above the Falls: Look for caddis, PMD’s and green drake patterns to be your best bugs. Water levels have continued to drop making it a little easier to get around. That being said, never get too comfortable wading this river. Its deceptive depth and fast current combined with its soft bottom makes for a dangerous place to wade.
Flies:#12 Chutes Green Drake, #12 Missing Link Green Drake, #14-16 Missing Link, #16 D.O.A. PMD Cripple, #16 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16 Tan X-Caddis, #12-16 Rusty Spinner
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Tom Forsberg
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