Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 8/28/2017
Montana
Upper Madison: The cold overnight temps this past week have helped to keep the river cool and the fishing good. Nymphing has been effective throughout the day with smaller nymphs, work your way out from the banks into some of the deeper mid-river slicks as the water heats up throughout the day. Make sure to change your weight to fit the depth of the water you are fishing so that you are ticking the bottom once every couple of drifts. Terrestrial bite continues to be solid in the afternoons on small hoppers, beetles, and especially ants. This will largely be the name of the game until we start seeing some fall Baetis showing up in the upcoming weeks.
Flies: #10-14 Morrish Hopper in Pink/Tan, #14-16 Bogus Beetle, #16-18 Cinnamon Ant, #16-20 Shop Vac, #16-20 Guide Dip, #16-18 Caddis Rockworm.
Hebgen/Quake: Hebgen has been a little more consistent as of late, though still not in it’s usual late august form. There have been plenty of Callibaetis and also flying ants around the Madison Arm. Dropping a Turkey Callibaetis #16 off the back of a dry fly continues to be a good option as of late. Quake is still fishing well and you will find your quarry a little easier to fool than on Hebgen. Callibaetis and smaller caddis patterns have been getting most fish to come up when the wind has been down.
Flies: #16 Cripple Callibaetis, #16 Turkey Callibaetis, #18 Missing Link Caddis.
YNP
Gallatin: Fishing on the Gallatin has been a little bit more difficult as of late in the park stretch. Terrestrials and attractors are still taking a few fish but there are a little fewer and farther between than they have been lately. If you do head up tho that area, Taylor Fork has fishing quite well when it hasn't been cloudy from evening storms rolling through. Fishing a #14 beetle with a small nymph dropper on this stream is a really fun way to spend an afternoon.
NE Corner: Terrestrial fishing is still the most effective method right now on Slough, Soda Butte, and Lamar. As we said last week, if you're getting refusals, downsizing your fly or tying on a tungsten head dropper can help you pick up more fish. Apart from terrestrials, don’t be surprised if you see a few PMD’s up there early in the morning. We should start seeing drakes up there any day, if not already, so be on the lookout for these to be bringing up fish as well.
Product of the Week
The cold, early mornings of fall fishing are not far away now. We've started to eye up some new gear to keep us warm while swingin' and strippin' in a few weeks.
Patagonia Tough Puff Hoody
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Also in Madison River Fishing Report - Upper Madison River Fishing Report - Greater Yellowstone Area Fishing Reports
Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 5/8/2025
Hebgen & Quake Lakes: The ice is now officially gone on both Hebgen & Quake. Its been very hit or miss but if you can time it right and get a day with little to no wind, the chironomid fishing has been pretty solid. Streamers have been moving some fish on the less than ideal condition days. Smaller midge nymphs like buzzers and ice cream cones have been the ticket though as of late.
Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 4/18/2025
Hebgen: The Lakes are both still fully iced over and will most likely continue to be for some time.
Tom Forsberg
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