Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 8/22/2022
Montana
Hebgen: Callibaetis, Lake has been fishing hit or miss, over the last week. You may find some gulpers out there rising to tricos and callibaetis, but it is spotty. If you aren’t seeing fish rise try stripping a leech or bugger. Change up your retrieve before you switch flies. Find a retrieve that the fish like.
Flies: #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #12 O.S Opal Buzzer, #16-18 Pheasant Tail, #14 Olive/Red Nugget, #8 Olive or Black Simi Seal Leech, #8 Olive or Black Hot Bead Goat Leech, #8 Thin Mint, #6 Black/Olive Flash Bugger
Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 811.1 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1186.4 cfs
Kirby Flows: 1310 cfs
** Flows as of 12 pm Aug. 21, 2022
Upper Madison: Terrestrials. Have been the go to on the Upper Madison the last couple weeks. Hoppers have been great but if you aren’t having much luck on them try throwing some ants and beetles. If you’re going for numbers nymph fishing is the way to go. While a hopper dropper gives the best of best worlds. Make sure to keep an eye on water temperature at the Kirby gauge, as it’s getting up above 68 degrees most afternoons.
Flies: #14-16 Bogus Beetle, #12 Longhorn Beetle, #10-16 Moorish Hopper, #12-16 Chilidog, #12-14 Pink Thunder Things, #14-18 Arricks Ant, #14-18 Hi Viz Ant, #16-18 Spanish Bullet Olive, #16-18 Guide Dip
YNP
Gallatin: PMDs are still on the menu in the Gallatin as are terrestrials (much like the other waters around here). Caddis may play as well. If you aren’t finding fish rising, try doing some searching with your favorite attractor dry fly pattern. A hopper dropper combo with a heavier nymph trailing is a good option for prospecting both above and below the Taylor’s fork. While most of us fish the park section, there have been reports of decent fishing outside of the park as well.
Flies: #14-18 Parachute Ants, #16 Royal Wulff Cripple, #14-16 Royal Stimulator, #14-16 Tan Chubby Chernobyl, #12 Pink Morrish Hopper, #16-18 X-Caddis, #14-16 Moorish Hopper
Water Temps on the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison have started to be too hot for ethical fishing, so we recommend finding somewhere else to fish and come back during the fall once water temps cool back down. The Yellowstone River has been fishing well with small mayfly imitations as well as terrestrial patterns. We usually have more luck with more natural looking patterns; however, foam can play to the right fish with the right drift.
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Peter Greubel
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