Fishing Report, Madison River

Fishing Report for September 28th, 2011

Madison River

Dam: 1,090 cfs

Kirby: 1,150 cfs

Varney: 1,270 cfs

As we wait for more seasonable fall temperatures to stir the proverbial pot, fishing has noticeably slowed down on the Upper River. The dry fly bite has been pretty slow over the last three or four days, and we’re guessing that the fish have seen (and been stung by) enough hopper imitations over the last two months to make them think twice about eating them. We’ve heard a couple people say that they’ve done decent on ants and beetles, but the nymph game has been a little more consistent. We’ve been doing best on baetis nymphs until around 10:00 am, and after that its been all tan caddis pupa, midges, and small attractors. Streamer fishing is still best early and late, but again…things have slowed down a little during the afternoons. This should all change over the weekend, as we have colder temps and cloud cover a comin’, which should get the baetis moving and the streamer bite back in full force.

by Slide Inn / No Comments / September 28, 2011 / Posted in: Fishing Report, Madison River

Tagged: Fishing Report, Madison River, Madison River Fishing Report, streamers

Fishing Report, Madison River

Fishing Report for September 21st, 2011

Madison River

Dam: 1,100 cfs

Kirby: 1,160 cfs

Varney: 1,320 cfs

We’ve had a few off days, but the Upper Madison has been fishing well for the most part. Colder evening temps have brought the river back into the mid fifties, and fish seem to be getting a little more active throughout the day. The wade section continues to fish well with caddis larva, midges, and baetis nymphs, and we’ve had some decent reports from guys throwing smaller hoppers and ants in the afternoon. The float section has been nymphing well, but the hopper/ant bite is still day to day (like its been all summer). Trailing a small beadhead behind zonkers or various bunny fur (preferably those that ride hook up) is a good choice as well. We’ve had a few “eh” days on the big stuff, but streamer fishing has generally been very good throughout the upper river. Olive seems to be the color, but we’ve also been mixing it up with some whites, tans, and grays as well. If you’re lucky enough to have some cloud cover though…keep it olive or black.

by Slide Inn / No Comments / September 21, 2011 / Posted in: Fishing Report, Madison River

Tagged: articulated streamers, Fishing Report, Madison River, Madison River Fishing Report, streamers

Fishing Report, Madison River

Fishing Report for September 17th, 2011

Madison River

Dam: 1,110 cfs

Kirby: 1,180 cfs

Varney: 1,300 cfs

This week was one of the better ones we’ve had on the Upper Madison since the first week of August. With the exception of yesterday afternoon, the streamer bite has ranged from really good to just plain out of control. Fish have also looking up for small hoppers and ants throughout the upper river from late morning until about 3:00 ish, but its still day to day so don’t beat the water with terrestrials if they just aren’t looking up. With the colder temperatures and rain moving in, be sure to have your baetis box before heading out this way, as we are finally starting to see good numbers of BWOs hatching around noon to one, particularly in the wade section. Nymphing small midges and baetis nymphs/emergers has been good in the morning, but don’t overlook the caddis larva this time of year as well. Finally, this is the time of year where we start to see bigger browns move out of Ennis Lake and Hebgen so fishing around Varney as well as the Madison in the park with bigger streamers should only continue to get better over the course of the next week or so…still a little early for the big boys between the lakes, but it should start to get going here pretty soon too. In the meantime…here are a few pictures for you to enjoy that we’ve taken over the last week-