Madison River
Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake: 7/29/09
We’ve seen some very good dry fly fishing between the lakes. Both browns and rainbows have been willing to to come to the surface for a variety of attractors, especially in the afternoons. Make sure to fish a visible fly as the light can be tricky late in the day. Elk Hair Caddis, Big Parachutes, Wulffs and Stimulators have all worked just fine. Nymph fishing has been pretty good as well, especially in the deeper runs where fish are less willing to rise.
Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge: 7/29/09
We’re still experiencing excellent fishing in the wade section of the Madison. The nymph bite has remained strong with small nymphs. Focus on nymphing fast water pockets in the middle of the river. Some of the best dry fly fishing of the year has occurred on cloudy afternoons when Epeorus mayflies have hatched in large numbers. When this happens, good fish can be found rising throughout the river. Tear off the indicators and get to fishing dries! Epeorus Parachutes and PMD Cripples fished with a good drift are normally taken without hesitation by rising trout. Evening fishing has been really good when stable weather lets the hatches develop. Caddis are on the water as the sun starts to wane and provide good action up to dark. Emeger patterns such as CDC Caddis are often the most effective flies, but there are times when larger Elk Hair Caddis are just as good. Late in the day, spinner falls of Epeorus can make for a great last hour of fishing as most trout settle in to rise heavily.
Lyon Bridge to Ennis: 7/29/09
We’ve had some really nice fish come to our flies recently in the float section of the Madison. Both dries and nymphs are responsible for the big dogs that are turning up. Dry fly fishing has been pretty good in the mornings. X Caddis, Iris Caddis, Rusty Parachutes and Calf Wing Rusty Spinners are all good dry flies. Nymphs have been more consistent throughout the day than the dries. Small stuff like WD-50’s and Black Crystal Dips have worked the best. Cloudy afternoons have seen good numbers of fish rising in spots, but the bad upstream wind that has come along with the clouds really can make it tough to get a consistent drift.
Gallatin River: 7/29/09
When clear, the Gallatin has been a very good fishery. Nymphing the pocket water stretches has been really good when the river retains some color after a rain storm. Clear water has been the indicator of some really good dry fly action. We’ve had good luck with basic attractor patterns. Spruce Moths should be on the water within the next ten days. This can make for some of the best fishing of the year.
Hebgen Lake 7/29/09
Gulper fishing on Hebgen has been a challenge with the inconsistent weather we’ve experienced lately. On calm mornings, there are fish to cast at, but these have been few and far between. Bobber rigs will hook up when the fish or Callibaetis won’t cooperate with the gulper program. As the weather stabilizes, fishing should improve.
Quake Lake 7/29/09
Fishing on Quake has been pretty weather dependent. Calm mornings have seen a lot of Callibaetis and the fishing has been quite good. When windy, toss streamers or go fish the river.