Montana Visverslagen

The Madison River is still pre runoff and offers some great fly fishing opportunities. Flows are up a bit to around 1300 cfs and visibility at about 2.5 to 3’. There are some caddis showing up on the lower stretches and fish will start looking up now. Nymphing and streamers are still your best bet to land some numbers. Run a standard in line indicator nymph leader with your first fly anout 5’ from your indicator and tie the second off the bend of the hook 18” to your second fly. The tried and true Pats rubber legs and a bright San Juan or Wire Worm has been a solid combination. A green caddis larvae is a good second fly choice if you see caddis on the water. An elk hair caddis in olive, tan or brown in a #16-14 along with a caddis pupae if you see risers, will get the job done. Look for soft spots, inside edges, boulders and color changes that indicate good trout holding water.

The much awaited hopper bite is happening on the mighty Yellowstone and the big fish are looking up! We’ve been starting early when the fish are more active and to beat the afternoon heat. Inside edges and riffles are holding lots of trout that are at the table waiting for a grasshopper aka double bacon cheeseburger float over. Our favorite dry flies; Chubby, Stream bank hopper, Amy’s Ant, Triple Decker, Morish Hopper

The famed Pterinarcys Californicus or Giant Salmon Fly hatch has just started to show up on the stretches above Ennis on the Madison. These double bacon cheeseburger bugs are a favorite for trout when they show up. We’re having success nymphing and on the bug dry. A double rubber leg short leash nymphing rig is our most effective way to nymph. We are getting action on the surface using several different dry salmon fly patterns. The Rogue, Bank Robber and Chubby Chernobyl just to name a few. A little twitch is another trigger for the trout. The adult naturals are pretty active when they’re on the water. Also try a smaller Golden Stone if your getting refusals on the big bug.