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First Week of August Fishing Report

Water River Conditions

The Madison River is in good shape and flows right now are 1090 CFS at Kirby and 1240 CFS at Varney Bridge.  Great flow for how hot it has been and this time of year.  Fish like water and we have good water.  The temps are staying in the safe zone with high temps at Varney of 62 Degrees and Kirby of 59.  The Madison River is the perfect level for floating and still provides lots of space for the wade fisherman.  The water this year has been just great. This keeps the fish happy.

What to Fish

Most of our guides are playing the dry fly game right now.  Hoppers, ants and mayflies are on the menu.  The hopper fishing is good with smaller tan or flesh colored hoppers.  We like following a hopper with an ant.  We really like the ant.  Fish will see ants in the soup all season long.  These are an easy high protein meal and fish love them.  They even taste good. Try a few ants you might like them.  A little tart but good.  We like the parachute ant and the Arricks ant along with the Ant Acid.  Any one of these will find fish even in the middle of the river.   If your going up high take some spruce moths with you.  Size 12 white to tan will work. We like the furminski caddis or more dedicated moth patterns. They are not flying every day but the fish like them and if you can catch a day when they are flying around you struck gold.  Do not try eating one of these moths.  Very bitter taste.

 

Streamers

Some of the guides are playing the bunny and a bead game.  A small streamer and a bead head trailer.  This will find some big fish.  We like the Dali Lama, El Sculpito and Trevors Sculpin.  For bead heads the guys are going shiny.  Think lightning bugs and spankers.  This technique really works best in a boat.  Just throw it out there and keep it tight and near the bottom.  Strikes are usually sudden and set themselves.  Take a load off and drag some bunny fur.  Great for beer drinking.

Nymph fishing has been good with tiny and shiny nymphs.  Think jigs in the spanish bullet family and lightning bug family.  Bobber lobbers are getting some good fish.

 

Lots of good fishing to be had here on the Madison River right now.  We will be having our yearly sale with the Fly fishing festival this year.   Stop by and stock up on gear and bugs at a great price.

Fishing Reports and Trips

  • Fishing Reports

  • Want to know the most up-to-date information to find where the fish are biting? The Tackle Shop Fishing Reports provide you with a comprehensive look at current water conditions, recent hatches and flow data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

  • View Reports

  • Float Trips

  • The Tackle Shop offers a range of full-day and half-day float trips in the Madison River Valley area. The trips are all-inclusive and cover files, rods, reels, waders and boots. Leave your worries behind and let us give you the fly fishing trip of a lifetime.

  • View Trips

  • Walk/Wade Trips

  • Enjoy one of our full-day or half-day walk and wade trips for a more immersive, slower-paced fly fishing experience. The Tackle Shop will cater to your individual needs so you are able to take in the sights and sounds of the best waters in Montana.

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