Fishing Report for the Madison River in Montana 9-18-2016

Fishing and the Madison River in general is in full fall mode and we could not be happier. While the flows are lower than most would like and many of the mid river rocks are slowly being painted white from drift boat bottoms the Madison River is in good shape. In fact fishing has been best during bankers hours. The fish start eating with the first mayflies emergence about say 1030 in the morning and continue on till about 5. All very civilized. Fur is in fashion for the Madison River right now. Zonkers, sculpins and the rest of the dirty streamers are in vogue and if your looking for big lake run fish now is the time to throw some fur. We have been having best luck with olive and black as well as the standard copper zonker has been producing some big fish this last week. Grab the fur and chicken box and get to work. The nymph ninjas are still throwing tiny and shiny and staying bent most of the day. Think 4 or even 5 X as the fish have gotten wise to the rope like tippets of earlier. Keep in mind these big rainbows and browns in the heavy Madison River current are a hand ful on 4X and a good majority are getting broke off and the fish is wearing a lightning bug. Some dry guys are still at it with hoppers, ants and mayfly imitations. A bunch of little fish are looking up especially near the bank. Still waiting on the first really good hatch of BWO's to turn some heads up. Lots of cool gear on end of season sale in the store. Come on in and make an offer on the new rod, wader, or clothing you have been looking for.