Fall Fishing is Heating Up on the Madison River

Fall has arrived in all its glory on the Madison River.  The cooling days, longer dark periods and cool water temps has put new life into the Madison River fish and our guides.  The fish are still eating hoppers and ants in the afternoon and streamer fishing is heating up and getting better and better by the day.  It is just a matter of time and this river will explode and the fishing will be really good for bigger fish.  We have yet to see a huge influx in larger brown trout heading up river to spawn but that should be happening shortly.  If you are looking for the bigger run up fish the stuff between Ennis and the Lake is where we would look.

Streamer Fishing on the Madison this Fall

We are currently seeing some good streamer fishing in the mornings and evenings.  Smaller streamers in the sculpin family are making the most impact.  We are also having the best luck dead drift or tight lining them.   Put a soft hackle or BWO nymph trailer and you should be good to go. We have been streamer fishing in the mornings till about 11 and then doing the dry dropper game.

Hoppers Still Making an Impact

If your looking to throw the big dry fly it is still in play.  We have been having good luck in the afternoons especially on sunny days.  We like smaller hoppers with a pink or peach color. Dropper nymphs include BWO family and soft hackles and the always good CDC Prince.  It is not just the bank that the fish are looking for the hopper.  Some of our best dry fly hopper fishing is in the middle of the river.  Dropper length has been about 2 feet behind the hopper.  We like 4X this time of year for all our dry fly and dropper rigs.  The thinner tippet sure makes a difference in the amount of strikes you will get.

Nymphing is Still Strong

Those that want to nymph fish will still find really good success.  Rubber legs in the small size and BWO family of nymphs like lightning bugs, Psyco May and Military May will keep you bent. With the rain last week we have been also having good luck on the worm patterns.   Fish the worm !

Fall Fishing is Only Getting Better

We are looking at a week of warmer weather coming up. This will keep the fish on the dry fly and keep fishing good.  The water is cool so the best fishing has been mid day on.  This is the glory time of year for the Madison River Fly Fishing.  Get out and fish.