Is it Fall Yet on the Madison

While it might be labor day weekend it still is summer mode here on the Madison River.   We will continue to be in summer mode with dry flies, hoppers, ants and other floating attractors until we get the first big front of fall.  This usually happens about middle of the  month. We like to call this the equinox storm.  This signifies the change from summer to fall.  One day your throwing hoppers and summer living is easy the next streamer time and fall.  When this will happen is anyones guess.  Look for the first real dusting of snow in the high country and some rain and cool weather down below.   This will change everything.  Until then enjoy summer a little longer on the Madison River.

Hoppers

The hopper game is strong right now.  Wait till the afternoon and throw a small hopper or chubby.  It takes a while to warm up and get the fish looking up. We like the dry fly fishing from 10:30 till about 4.  Small pink or cinnamon chubbies have been the best bet as of late with the para ant a second.  Throw these on light tippet. We are finding more bites on 4X than 3X.  Thin to win right now.  Drop a nymph off the back early or late for added success.  Fish a single dry during the meat of the day. We like dropping Green Machines, Tung French Dippities and spankers off the back.  Tiny and shiny.  Remember this is a tailwater.

Streamers

Some of our guides are doing well pulling streamers in the morning.  Sculpin like in olive or natural.  This will only get better as the weeks roll along.  When the fish are out of insect food they turn to eating the babies.  Sculpins will still work but think white  and sparkly.  Throw the big stuff every morning and evening and you will tag a big one.  Keep them along the bottom with a twitch or slow strip. Lots of stuff on sale for the remainder of the season.   30% all foam flies including hoppers, stoneflies and chubbies.  Come and stock up for next year.   Fall is looking great for fishing so stay after it.