Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 8/14/18
Montana
Upper Madison: We are at the point in the season where consistent insect hatches can be hard to come by on the river. That being said, the terrestrial fishing has been very good most days and relatively consistent throughout the day. Hoppers, ants, and beetles have all been working well. Many people only focus on fishing near the banks when fishing terrestrials but don’t be afraid to throw them throughout the entire river. We have been hooking a lot of fish on hoppers in the middle of the river this past week. You can still find some decent caddis and spinner fishing many evenings, though it is getting a little harder to come by. Nymphing has been consistent throughout the day using smaller size #16-18 nymphs.
Flies: #10-12 Grand Hopper, #14 Bogus Beetle, #16 Arrick’s Ant, #16 Rusty Spinner, #16 Purple Rocky Mountain Mint, #16-18 Tan X- Caddis, #17 Tan Iris Caddis, #16-18 Red Neck, #16 Olive Biot Czech, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Guide Dip, #16 Green Machine, #16 Black Krystal Dip, #16-18 Black/Green Lightning Bug
Hebgen Lake: Hebgen has definitely been steadily improving. We are seeing good amounts of Callibaetis and fish eating them. It’s still not a consistent, every day occurrence yet, but we are getting really close. It’s well worth your time to spend the morning out in the Madison arm trying to find some rising fish. As always, a suspended Turkey Callibaetis will keep you in the game if things are a little slow.
Flies: #16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Cripple, #16 Parachute Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Sparkle Dun
Gallatin: Spruce moths are still hanging in there pretty strong for the time being providing some good fishing in the mornings. At other times of the day, nymphing smaller size #16-18 mayfly and midges has been good. If you’re in the park section, try throwing around some terrestrials in the afternoons.
* Our special thanks to the crew over at Gallatin River Guides for providing us with the most up-to-date info on the Gallatin.
YNP
NE Corner: You may see some mayflies such as PMDs coming off, especially on a little grayer morning, but terrestrials have been the most consistent producers. Terrestrials such as smaller hoppers, beetles and ants have all been working well.
Flies: #14-18 Rusty Spinner, #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 PMD Missing Link, #14-18 Missing Link, #17 Iris Caddis, #10-12 Thunder Thighs Hopper, #10-12 Parachute Hopper, #14 Bogus Beetle, #14-16 Arrick’s Ant
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Tom Forsberg
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