Madison River Fly Fishing Report 7/12/2016
Montana
Upper Madison
It was hard to tell what month it was Sunday and Monday, with weather in the 40's and pouring rain. For those who avoided the weather, the fishing was great! Weather today improved and peaked in the mid-60's. Hebgen has cut back outflow just a touch, currently at 850cfs after topping out at 1,1,00cfs on 7/7.
Cold water has kept the dry fly fishing in pretty good shape. There were plenty of fish rising yesterday and today during the rain and afternoon overcast skies. The patterns have been relatively basic, top dries have been the #14 Royal Stimulator, #16-18 Para-Wulff, #16-18 Purple Parachute, #16 Missing Link, and #16-18 X-Caddis.
The nymph bite has been red hot and hopefully hangs on for another solid week. Plenty of fish in all the obvious spots right now; pocket water, seams, deep banks, and mid-river waves. Make sure you have enough weight on or you'll miss the party. Guide favorites are the #16 Black Lightning Bug, #16 Shop Vac, #18 Serendipity, #16 Green Machine, and #14-18 Guide Dip.
Upper Gallatin
Flows are currently on their way down after peaking around 1,000cfs from the heavy storms. Expect a little color the next few days as it's raining while I'm writing this. Your best water will most likely be above the Taylor Fork or even Fan Cr. depending on the storm's severity. But, once clear and level expect the Gallatin to fish great. Have a bevy of good parachutes and attractors patterns; #16-18 Rusty Parachute, #16 DOA Cripple. #14 Full Tilt Sally, and #16 Royal Trude.
YNP
NE Corner
Similiar to the Gallatin, expect YNP's NE waters to be a little dirty this weekend's rainwater passes through the system. Grab a few #14 Lime Trudes, #16 Purple Cripple, and #16 Rusty Spinners, and make sure to keep changing flies on refusals! Also, these fish are almost always interested in Terrestrials, try out the #14 Tan 409, #16 Red Para-Ant, and #12 Western Lady Hopper.
Upper Yellowstone below the lake opens 7/15!
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Jake Schilling
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