The last couple weeks have been very interesting on the Madison River, with many asking, “This is August, right?” Bright, hopeful mornings have given way to nearly daily afternoon thunderstorms, with quickly dropping temperatures. Some days were outright chilly, and there was even a hail storm or two thrown in for giggles and grins. But fishing remained good; except during the hail storms, of course; with fishermen scoring on a combination of nymphs, streamers, and dries, depending on conditions. We have had some great adventures.
Still, the cool, wet weather kept the grasshoppers at bay, with the constant question being heard every day in the shop; “When will the hoppers start?”
Well … Good news! … The hoppers have started!!!
The last couple of days have produced enough consistent hopper action to report and are what we’ve all been waiting for. And with a sunny and warm forecast for the next several days, the action should only get better. Also mixed in with the hopper bite are the Spruce Moths, which have been producing fish throughout the unusual weather. Earlier this week we had a great Father/Son day with both sets of fathers and sons catching some nice trout enjoying regular action on both dries and nymphs.
A variety of hopper patterns have been working, mostly in sizes 12 and 14. The Spruce Moth patterns with the most consistent success have been the Half-Down Hopper in #14, Gold Tarantula in #12 and #14, and the Delektable Twisted Baby, Tan/Brown, in #12, #14 and #16.
And don’t forget the ant patterns. Fished in tandem with a favorite hopper, these tasty little morsels can be deadly. A variety including the Delektable Flying Ant in Cinnamon in all sizes have been working.
Along with the surface action, nymphs, whether fished alone or as a dropper under the hopper patterns, are still a great choice. Stoneflies, especially Girdle Bugs, in a variety of colors in size 8 and 10 have been good, along with the normal mix of Mayfly patterns, such as the Lightning Bug, Copper Johns, Red-Headed Stepchild and Delektable Lil’ Spankers, in a variety of colors, all in #16 and #18. Caddis patterns, and Caddis Emergers such as the Serendipity, are also an excellent choice.
So get out there and enjoy the sunny, warm weather. The hoppers certainly are!
GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS
First, the bad news; it’s been a while since we posted our last fishing report … Too long.
But the good news is, it’s because we have been SO busy, we haven’t had time to publish one. What an incredible season it’s been so far! Our other excuse is true, Nancy is still recovering from her spine surgery and can’t be living at a computer keyboard so much. The pictures we posted in this report cover two weeks to yesterday.
For those who have been languishing in the interim, waiting for a new fishing report, we greatly appreciate your continued interest in our reports, and we apologize. As we continue through this very busy and successful season, we will strive to publish reports as often as is feasible.
We graciously and sincerely thank you for your consistent interest, patience, and support. Without you, our loyal, fishing enthusiasts, who are downright fun, and interesting customers, we would not be enjoying such success. We have the BEST customers in the world. You guys and ladies ROCK!!! It has been fun at Beartooth Flyfishing and you are very much a part of our daily adventures in the shop and on the river. Thank you!.
Tight Lines!
The Delektable Crew