River Condition

With the cool wet weather we have had this last week the Madison River has new life. The current flow is 842 CFS at Kirby, 1030 CFS at Varney and 1150 CFS at the Ennis Bridge. Early morning water temps are sitting around 56 degrees and working up to 60 ish. As long as we do not get that super hot weather we should be in good shape going forward. The river has not switched to fall mode as of yet but the dog days are hopefully behind us. While the boat guys wish there was a little more water in the river. The wade fisherman are loving it.

Dry Fly

If you are still looking for the late summer dry fly bit you are in luck. Hoppers and more important ants are still on the menu. Let the water warm up in the mornings and switch to dry fly about 11. Before that try the hopper with a dropper nymph. We have been liking smaller hoppers in pink or flesh colored. Ants in the brown and honey colored have been best. Remember the fish in the middle like hoppers and ants as well. So often people focus only on the banks with the terrestrial offerings and ignore the center.

We are starting to look forward to our fall hatches. In fact last week during the rain we noticed our first blue winged olives of the fall. These will be in the soup in nymph form going forward and hatch on overcast or rainy days that are cooler. Keep a look out for these little mayflies. October caddis is on the horizon as well. An orange bodied caddis that hatches in the fall. Why are they October Caddis when they hatch mostly in September on the Madison? Either way have some small orange bodied chubbies, elk hair's or even stimulators in your box. You will not see a bunch of these flying around so fish them with confidence.

Nymph and Streamer

The guys chasing bobbers are getting some good fish. The wire worm along with rubber leggs, and anything tiny and shiny has been getting the fish. We like nymphs in the lightning bug family along with the fancy jig stiff. Keep it small and you will be rewarded. Remember the BWO that are in the soup so things like the Psyco May and Military May will soon rock them underwater.

The streamer guys are getting some really nice fish right now. Not a lot of fish but some nice ones. We have been liking streamers in the olive and white color scheme. Fish them deep and slow and you will find a nice brown or two. This will only get better as we roll along into fall. Keep those streamer rods handy it will be used a bunch going forward.

Lots of great fishing to be had on the Madison River right now. The river traffic will slow down after the Labor day weekend when most folks are more concerned with football and hunting. This is going to be a great fall.