October 2nd-8th | Madison River Fishing Report

River flow below Hebgen is up a bit from 880 c.f.s. to 930. Down at Kirby it’s running at 1020 c.f.s. and 1140 at Varney Bridge. We’ve got a couple chilly days coming up but by the end of the week we’ll be back into the low 60’s which should do good things for our BWO and baetis fishing.

The subsurface bugs are catching fish. Smaller Rubberlegs in black or black/brown, worms, bigger zebra midges, Delektable Big Spankers, soft hackle Copper Johns and Hare’s ears are all good bugs.

Streamers have been fishing well but size and colors have been a bit inconsistent so bring a good assortment and be willing to change up a few times till you find that magic fly. Delektable Screamers have been good as always especially in white, black/olive and badger. We’ve also had fish eat the Trevor’s sculpin, McCune’s, Sparkle Minnows and natural Zonkers.

Dry flies are picking fish up as well; you’ll want to target the slow slicks and behind the big rocks. Always remember that they don’t eat the fly unless you fish it even if you aren’t seeing heads poking up. Adams flies or Purple Crazes in sizes #16 or #18 should do the trick.

 

 

September 25th- October 1st | Madison River Fishing Report

Well I can’t believe it’s already October, we will be changing our store hours with the seasons to 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Flows have been steady at 880 c.f.s. below Hebgen, about 960 at Kirby and 1090 c.f.s. down at Varney. Although flows have been consistent the weather has not and due to that we had a couple days we had to work for some fish. The good news is things are on the upswing again.

Baetis are starting to show up especially in the upper wade section. I have been seeing fish eating mayflies and the occasional October caddis on the surface later in the afternoon. A big Goddard caddis with a parachute adams or a purple haze behind it should get you dry fly guys through the day. 

Streamer fishing has been good lately as well with the browns being very aggressive some days. I’ve seen better action on slower strips with white Delektable screamers, olive/white double bunny’s and when the going gets tough try dead drifting smaller sculpin patterns like Sheila’s or Morrish’s sculpins. 

Nymphing has unsurprisingly been most productive. Prince nymphs, Delektable Lil’ Spankers in red or pheasant tail, Delektable Hammerheads, Rubberlegs, and worms are all good options to hang under an indicator or behind a streamer.

Always feel free to call or stop in the shop for any additional info and keep an eye out for more reports to come!

September 18th-24th | Madison River Fishing Report

The river is flowing at 1,140 c.f.s. at Varney Bridge, 971 c.f.s. at Kirby and 880 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake. The weather has been a bit on the chilly side but it looks like that will be changing over the next few days. Forecasted daytime highs are in the upper 50s and will climb into the upper 60s by the end of the week, let’s hope the fishing heats up too.

    Dry fly fishing has been on the tougher side lately with the cold temps keeping the bugs below the surface but as it warmed up a bit over the last couple days we started to see some mayflies here and there. This means the baetis and bwo fishing is starting and will only be getting better in the coming days. It’ll be tough to beat the ol’ #16 parachute Adams fly for the Calabaetis and a #18 Purple Craze for the blue wing imitations.

The bead-heads are getting it done as usual. Behind streamers or under a bobber things like Copper Johns, Delektable Big Spankers, Zebra Midges, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails, Shop Vacs, and Lightning Bugs are all getting bit.  

Streamer fishing has been pretty good but colors and sizes have varied day to day, if you work through the fly box you’ll find success. Delektable Screamers have been my go to bugs but Bow River Buggers, Sundell’s Bad Boy, McCune’s Sculpin, and Sheila’s Sculpin are all good things to have in the box.

September 11th-17th | Madison River Fishing Report

 

Well it felt a lot like winter when I woke up  yesterday morning and that was a blessing after such a dry couple of months. With predicted rain and highs in the mid 50s and low 60s the forecast is looking good for everyone’s favorite fall festivity, STREAMER FISHING! Flows are at 861 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake and 970 c.f.s. down at Kirby.

 

Speaking of streamer fishing it has been  pretty good as of late, best in the mornings and evenings but I expect it to be an all day affair with the upcoming weather. The fish are in their normal hiding places (undercuts, boulders, logjams, etc.) feeding on their usual prey (whitefish and sculpin). Some of the bigger flies are starting to get more attention like the Delektable Double-Screamer, Circus Peanuts, Silk Kitty, and Sundell’s Bad Boys as well as the go to smaller stuff like Double Bunnys, Delektable Single Screamers and Sheila’s Sculpins. 

The recent snow probably put down some of the hoppers but it usually takes a couple cold spells to get rid of them for the season. Good news is the water temp is right down to Calabaetis and BWO levels so keep an eye out for those to start hatching. The bigger caddis are lingering around the banks in the evenings but we’re still waiting for them to show up in any numbers which shouldn’t take long at all.

Nymphs are still the best option if you’re out there looking for hook ups. Mornings have been most productive but that may change with the water temps. They’ve been taking some of the bigger soft hackles and/or caddis emergers like Delektable Hammerheads and soft hackle Copper Johns as well as the smaller bead-heads such as tungsten Studlys, Delektable Lil’ Spankers, Formerly Known as Princes, and Shop Vacs.

Keep checking in for more up to date fishing reports and as always call or stop in the shop for any other tips you may need!

September 4th-10th | Madison River Fishing Report

As we work our way into September day time temps are scheduled to drop into the 60s by the end of the week and some rain here and there will be a nice change from the smoky skies we’ve had. The Madison is flowing at 985 c.f.s. below Hebgen and 1130 c.f.s. down at Kirby.

Fishing has been good below the surface with streamers and nymphs. Let’s start with the nymphs; lightning bugs are still killing it and Delektable Big Spankers and Hammerheads, Two Bit Hookers, Shop Vacs and small Rubberlegs are all doing their job as well.

Streamer fishing has been pretty good as the sun comes up and as it goes down. A few of our top flies have been black/olive or white Delektable Screamers, Sculpzillas, olive Mini Loops and Trevor’s Sculpins. The Browns are sitting behind the rocks waiting all night for something meaty to swim by so take advantage!

We’ve had some good action on the surface in the middle and end of the day as well. Small black caddis and some bigger caddis are starting to hatch in the evenings and the hoppers and small chubby patterns are still getting action during the day. Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis and other small elk hairs are good in the evening along the banks. Yeti Hoppers, Sheila’s Hoppers, Delektable Slammers and Chubbyness in UV cinnamon or royal are all good options during the middle of the day.

Seasons are changing and the fishing is good so get out there and take advantage!

Madison River Fishing Report | August 28th – September 3rd

It’s already September and the summer has been really good to us here on the Upper Madison. The river is flowing at about 1,000 c.f.s. below Hebgen and 1,040 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch. The forecast is calling for another dry smoky week ahead with temps in the upper 70’s and 80’s which should keep the terrestrial fishing going.

 

Nymph fishing has been really good lately whether under a big dry or a bobber. The name of the game has been small nymph flies, #16s, #18s and down to #20s. We’re having success on Delektable Big Spankers in the warrior color, Two Bit Hookers in black, Delektable Hammerheads, San Juans, and Rainbow Warriors. Prince patterns still work and Pheasant Tail patterns.

 

On the surface things have been producing solid fish as well. Terrestrials are still the focus but pseudo hatches in the morning have been getting thicker and lasting longer, by that I mean from sunrise until a little after 11 am. The best flies for that hatch are Parachute Adams or Purple Craze in #18 or even #20. As the day goes on the Delektable flying ants are still doing the job as well as Delektable Slammers in Chartreuse, White Cloud Hoppers, Shanafelt’s Mongo Hopper and of course all the varieties of small and medium Delektable Chubbyness patterns.

 

Streamer fishing has been slowly getting better every day. Targeting the boulders is the way to go, in front of them, beside them, and behind them. Delektable single screamers have been fishing really well in white, black or olive/black as well as Trevor’s sculpin, Bow River Buggers, Mini Loops, and Silvey’s. Stripping the flies with a little more movement has been getting a good response. But sometimes the slow strip works too.

 

We hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and caught lots of fish!

August 21st-27th|Madison River Fishing Report Eclipse & 60th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much to share. This week we experienced the Solar Eclipse on the river and Kevin provided shots from Idaho. We had a mixture of fun fishing experiences including us and many friends and new friends. We had special surprise guests for Dan’s 60th birthday. And…we shared an incredible birthday cake Elle made totally in honor of Dan and “Scar Tissue”. It was quite the week of incredible experiences, fun fishing, great reunions, fabulous cake and terrific food too. Life at Beartooth can be so much fun. Thank you for sharing.

Fishing on the Upper Madison hasn’t changed too much throughout the month of August. The biggest change we’ve seen over the past week is that bigger fish are eating a little more readily, let’s hope that lasts. Flows are up slightly from last week below the dam to 1,040 c.f.s. and 1,190 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch. 

 

Dry fly fishing has still been really good even though sometimes we end up with a totally Tyke bite for a day then bigger fish the next day. Big swarms of flying ants can be seen from Storey Ditch down past Varney Bridge later in the afternoon but they’ll eat them almost all day. The Delektable flying ant in Purple or Cinnamon has consistently been our best pattern. Quigley’s glitter ant and the smaller Yeager’s 409’s in red are doing the trick as well. Early in the day a small Adams or Purple Craze has brought success while pseudos are about and hoppers are still producing as well. For those, the cast and location is important. The Delektable Chubbyness in #14’s and #16’s is still a good pattern with best results in UV Purple, UV Cinnamon, and Royal this week. Hoppers in pink, yellow, and cream underneath are still working.

 

Under the surface fish are taking big or  small princes, small Delektable pheasant tail Lil’ Spankers, tan/brown or olive/brown Rubberlegs, bigger Delektable Hammerheads, Hare’s Ears and Delektable Big Spanker Warriors. Lightning Bugs in Silver and Pearl are still good. These flies have all been pretty good all day but best During the late morning and early afternoon.

 

 

As for the streamer fishing, things continue to improve. We’ve seen some good action into the hottest part of the day the last couple days. Some of our best bugs are the Delektable Single Screamer in white, the Sculpzilla in White or Tan, Mini Loops, Silvey’s sculpin leech and the Conehead Bow River Bugger. Using a sinking leader has helped with Slow strips and dead drifts around the boulders. You could even add a trailing small nymph from the list above. The smoke remains in the mountains and less so on the river.

Don’t forget to call the shop for the latest fishing information 406-682-7525. Thank you for the fun and support.

The Delektable Crew

August 14th-20th|Madison River Fishing Report

Well it’s late August, we’re flowing at about 1,000 c.f.s. below Hebgen and 1150 at Kirby. Fishing has been without much change over the past couple weeks with most fish being caught on terrestrial dries or nymphs. The forecast is calling for more warm and bright days coming up which is just fine to keep the hopper bite going.

We’ve experienced some good pseudo  action hatches in the mornings and in the evenings of the same. Starting the day with a #18 or #20 parachute adams or purple craze would not be a bad idea. As it gets warmer later in the morning I’d recommend going back to the ants and hoppers. The purple Delektable Flying Ant, Dave’s Hopper, the White Cloud Hopper, Quigley’s Glitter Ant, Delektable Slammers and Fat Alberts have all been bringing fish up. There are still Spruce Moths in the early part of the day in the upper so think about trying variations of that including: Delektable Twisted Baby, Sister, or X in Tan Brown or try purple for whatever reason it is okay, purple is always a special trick color.

Our guides are catching fish on nymphs pretty consistently. Some of the top flies have been Pat’s Rubberlegs in olive/brown, Delektable pheasant tail Lil’ Spankers, Delektable prince Hammerheads, Wire Worms, Prince Nymphs and Rainbow Warriors. Any two of those under a bobber or under a streamer should produce something for you at any time of day.

   

 

The best streamer fishing is still early in the morning with small sculpin patterns. We’ve seen fish eat Bow River Buggers in black or olive, Zonkers, Mini Loops and sparkle minnows. Slow strips and dead drifts should do the trick.       

Stop in the shop or give us a call for any more info you may need on how to have the best experience possible on the Upper Madison or any of our nearby waters. Enjoy the rest of the Summer!

August 7th – 13th|Madison River Fishing Report

The Upper Madison is flowing at 1030 c.f.s. below Hebgen Lake, 1190 c.f.s. at Kirby Ranch and 1220 at Varney Bridge. The forecast calls for some much needed scattered thunder storms over the next few days with night time low temps in the 40s. We’re looking forward to kicking the dry heat for a while.

 

Our best action lately has been on dry flies. Spruce moths, ants and grasshoppers are picking fish up throughout the river. For the hoppers I’ve been doing well a with peach or pink body color. Morrish hoppers, white clouds and yeti hoppers have been a few of my favorites. Delektable twisted X has been our go to spruce moth pattern with some of the bigger elk hairs or Goddards are doing the trick as well, most of the spruce moths will be found between Pine Butte and Palisades. Small 409’s, Hippie Stompers and Delektable flying ants are working well, ants are seeing the bulk of the action most days.

Nymphing is picking up after a bit of a tough week last week. The river isn’t handing fish out like it was in June and July but if you’re willing to work for them they’ll eat. Smaller Pat’s Rubberlegs in brown or olive/brown, Princes, Lightning Bugs and Silver Delektable Lil’ Spankers are all doing the job at the right time.

 

Streamer fishing is picking up and smaller sculpin patterns have been the ticket. Fish have been moving out from the banks and all around boulders. Morrish’s Sculpin, Trina’s Belly Dancer, Silvey’s Sculpin and The Delektable Screamer have all been getting some attention in addition to Shiela. Either dead drift them into boulder pockets or strip them off the bank and you should see some results.

It’s been a great season so far and we’re looking forward to what the rest of the summer brings! Be sure to call or stop by for ant more tips you may need.

Brian, Kevin, and the Delektable Crew