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Fishing Report for the Madison River 4/19/24

This Spring has been Awesome on the Madison

If you have had a chance to fish you know. The fishing on the Madison River this spring has been off the charts.  Low clean water, decent weather and hungry fish have been making this a spring to remember.  While most of the fishing has been sub surface it has been on fire.  Look for a few more dry opportunities in the near future.  We are having a little cold snap as of late but the fishing has stayed really good.  When the weather warms back up this week is should be out of hand.

 

Nymph Fishing still Ruling the Day

It has been a sub surface world out there.  Stone fly nymphs, midges, Blue Winged Olive nymphs, worm and eggs have been the spring ticket.  Pick two of the above, put them on 2 or 3X with a split shot and a indicator 6 feet above and go to work.  Some days they are liking the pink stuff with worms and eggs. The next day especially when it is in the sun they have been liking the blue winged olive nymphs and stone flies.  Have both handy and you will be covered or mix and match.   We have been getting a bunch on the Hurless stone fly. This grey colored rubber leg mimics the skwala nymph that is in the soup right now.

Dry or Die

Yes there is some dry fly opportunities around right now.  Some have been doing the skwala dropper game.  A purple chubby with a small rubber leg or BWO nymph on a long trailer.  Yes, most fish have been coming on the nymph but float the chubby along enough slow water and a few fish will take a look.  On cloudy days look for good BWO hatches and fish rising in the soft water.  Look behind rocks, on inside turns and anywhere the current is slow.

Streamers

Some folks are throwing some meat with some success. We like throwing streamers when the water temps are above 50 degrees. This has not happened yet.  It will soon so keep the streamer box handy.  It is going to get really good on the fuzzy stuff soon.

Dries

Chubby in purple or olive size 10, BWO parachute size 16, Purple Haze size 16, Para Adams size 14

Nymphs

Hurless stone size 8, Rubber leg in black size 8, San Juan worm in pink or red size 10, Egg patterns, Sucker spawn or crystal meth in size 12, Bug Nugget size 16, Angel Case BWO size 16, Soft hackle P Tail size 16, Spanker size 16

Streamers

Try the big stuff just keep it slow and deep.

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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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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