Hoppers Anyone?
The Madison River is in great shape for the middle of August. The flows have dropped to 988 CFS at Kirby and 1140 CFS at Varney Bridge. The cooler weather made it possible that the lower Madison did not need pulse flows to keep it cool. They no longer need to fill Ennis Lake daily so the flows on the Upper Dropped. While this may feel like a bad thing it is actually great for the dry fly fishing. The lower river gives more area river wide for fish to eat dry flies. More proper head space where they can see the dry even mid river.
The hopper bite has been really outstanding. Think small hoppers. If you chase some naturals in the grass they are all about 1/2 long. We like size 12-16 hoppers right now. Pink has been the hot color. Think small pink hoppers, chubbies and attractors with legs. Panty droppers, Juicy and even Heifer hoppers will bring fish up. The fishing has not been good on dry flies in the morning. Get a later start, eat a good breakfast in town and then hit the river after 10:30. We like running the dry dropper set up. French Dips and other Hobbit Droppers will get them. We have been finding that if you run 4X you will get more bites than 3X. Thin to win in the low water.
Nymph Fishing
If you want to chase bobbers you can absolutely catch them. French Dips, lightning bugs, perdigons, spanish bullets and even small prince nymphs will get fish up. Shorten your distance from the bobber to the nymphs as the speed of the current and depth of the river has gone down. We have been running our nymphs free with no weight besides the bead on the hook. Let the nymphs be free and you will be rewarded.
Ants, Caddis
If you are not getting them on the bigger dry fly or if you are seeing some fish come take a look but not commit try some smaller stuff. We like caddis and ants when you encounter leg counters. Loop winged caddis and Arricks ants will fool even the smartest Madison Fish. Run these in small sizes of 18 on a 5X tag and fish will eat it. Smaller tippets get more bites this time of year but you will break off more fish. Big Madison Fish in fast water are difficult in small tippets.
Sale Anyone
We will be again having our Annual End of Summer Sale in conjunction with the Fly Fishing Festival next weekend. Come by for significant discounts on almost everything in the store. Stock up for fall fishing or just get an early start on Holiday shopping for the angler on your list. Great dry fly fishing to be had out there right now. Get it while it lasts.
