Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 9/15/20
Montana
Upper Madison: Hopper fishing has been hanging in there pretty well the last few days after our short cold snap earlier this week. There’s a decent chance that this could be our last good week with fish consistently looking up for hoppers, so get out there this week when you can and see if you can find a few more hungry fish. Ants, beetles, bees and Parachute Adams have all been good trail flies or simply fished solo. Holo-Points and Olive Perdigons continue to be effective droppers and the nymphing in general has been steady and is a good way to fish these cooler mornings until the hopper bite gets rolling in the afternoons.
Flies: #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #8-12 Tan, Pink and Yellow Thunder Thighs, #16-18 Arrick’s Ant, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawullf, #16-18 Krystal Dip, #14-16 Green Machine, #14-18 Red Neck, #16 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon, #14 HoloPoint, #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Olive S.H. Hare’s Ear, #16 Shop Vac
Hebgen: It has definitely been taking awhile for things to warm up in the mornings now and Callibaetis have been slow to show because of this. It’s about that time of year where the fall run fish stage up in the arms and throwing a leech wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.
Flies: #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Parachute Callibaetis, #16 Callibaetis Spinner, #6 Black & Olive Hot Bead Leeches, #8 Thin Mint, #8 Simi Seal Leech
Gallatin: Terrestrials and attractors are still pretty much the name of the game on the Gallatin. Like the Madison, a tungsten headed dropper will pick up fish under a hopper or large attractor. Afternoon hours will be best.
Flies: #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawullf, #12-14 Lime Trude, #14 Holo Point, #14 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon
Yellowstone National Park
Slough/Soda Butte/Lamar: Nothing new here. Drake Mackerels and baetis should provide some opportunities to find rising fish. Hoppers, ants and beetles are still going to fool a few fish. As usual, it wouldn’t hurt to bring a few tungsten droppers just in case.
Flies: #12 Drake Mackerel Cripple, #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #8-12 Tan and Pink Thunder Thighs, #14-16 Bogus Beetle, #14-16 Arrick’s Ant, #14 Royal Trude, #14 Holo Point, #12 Spanish Bullet
Madison/Firehole: While things definitely aren’t getting going too much yet, these cold mornings have provided the opportunity to start fishing these rivers pretty consistently now, especially in the mornings. Swinging and nymphing will be best on the Madison. On the Firehole, swinging is always effective, but keep an eye out for White Miller Caddis, terrestrials and even possibly a few early baetis.
Flies: #8-12 Partridge & Peacock, #8-12 Partridge & Orange, #6 Sparkle Minnow, #8 Simi Seal Leech, #8-12 Black Sili Legs, #14-16 Red Neck, #14 Holo Point, #12 Tan Elk Hair Caddis, #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun
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Tom Forsberg
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