Hopper Time

The Madison River continues to fish well and is currently flowing at 920 CFS at Kirby and 1050 CFS at Varney.  The cool weather and good rain showers of the past week has breathed some life into the river.  Fish like water and cool weather and they got both this week. The temps have dropped from the danger zone river wide and the fish are looking up.  If we get some more hot dry weather we could go back to the danger zone of temps but for now we are good to go. In fact mornings have been slow for us especially dry fly fishing.  It has been getting good about 11 and staying that way till about 5.

It is dry fly season on the Madison and the fish love it.   Terrestrial time as most of the hatches of early summer are gone.  Think hoppers ants and spruce moths.  What hopper they want on any given day is a mystery. Have a box full of them and keep it on rotation till you find a winner. We have been liking smaller hoppers that ride flat on the water.  Thunder thighs, panty droppers and juicy hoppers are all getting fish to look.

Follow every hopper with an ant. Fish see ants on the Madison all season long and will eagerly eat them all summer long. We have been liking the red and black para ants along with the Arricks ant and the Delektable pink ant.  For a wild card throw a loopie caddis. I think they are eating it as an ant but will not tell me.  Remember fish all of these on 4X tippet as they need a perfect drift.

Fish the entire river.  Yes the hoppers and ants are located along the banks. The fish in the center still are hungry and are seeing these bugs. Our best fishing has been mid river away from the banks.  Fish like the middle and we like fish.

Nymphs and Streamers

The bobber lobber guys are still getting it done.  Tiny and shiny are the nature of the beast right now.  Think lightning bugs, french dips, frenchies and duracels are flying out the door at the fly shop.  The nymph guys are probably catching more fish than dry fly guys but most likely having less fun.  We like to see fish rise.  If your a nymph guy stay after it and you will find success.

Stop by the store for the latest info on flies and what the fish are looking for.  A big sale coming during the fly fishing festival so come on in and save some money. Might be a good time to start your holiday shopping .