Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 9/29/20
Montana
Upper Madison: Cool, crisp mornings, the fall colors, and warm, sunny afternoons are making for some beautiful days down in the valley right now. As for the fishing, nymphing will definitely provide the most consistent fishing for the time being. While we haven’t quite given up on the hopper bite, getting fish to eat one has been sporadic at best. Hopper dropper would still be a good method while floating. We are going to have to wait a little longer for baetis fishing to start. We have been seeing some, but they won’t show in any numbers until we get some cloudier weather, which isn’t in the forecast for the next week.
Flies:#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, #12 Black Sili Legs.
Gallatin: Nothing new here. You may still get a few fish to eat terrestrials and attractors in the afternoon hours, but nymphing and streamers will definitely be your better methods from here on out.
Flies: #12 Tan and Pink Chili Dogs, #12-16 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parawullf, #12-14 Lime Trude, #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, #12 Black Sili Legs.
Yellowstone National Park
Slough/Soda Butte/Lamar: These rivers are providing the better dry fly fishing in the area right now. Look for Drake Mackerels, baetis and while we still have a few sunny days coming up, hoppers, ants and beetles will still get fish to come up as well. Hopper dropper and throwing some streamers around will also be productive.
Flies: #12 Drake Mackerel Cripple, #18-20 D.O.A. Baetis, #18-20 Baetis Sparkle Dun, #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: The Firehole is fishing very well swinging soft hackles. You can also find some dry fly fishing with White Millers and baetis, though again the baetis won’t really get going strong until we get some cloudy weather. Swinging on the Madison has been pretty spotty so far this week. Some days will provide multiple grabs and fish, some days nothing at all. We have been catching lake fish all the way up to the junction now, so they are in there.
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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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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