Madison River
Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake: 9/7/2010
Between the Lakes is enjoying some decent attractor dry fly fishing with Wulffs and Trudes during the nicer afternoons. Cloudy days bring on good baetis hatches. While some nice fish can be found rising, the hatches make for some great nymph bites. Streamer fishing when the sun is off the water will turn up some nice fish, but expect more follows and swirls than good hard eats when fishing the big flies. As is often the case, drifting nymphs is the most consistent way to hook fish in this stretch of river.
Madison Quake Lake to Lyon Bridge: 9/7/2010
Nice weather has seen a return of our terrestrial fishing in the “wade section” of the Madison. There are still some baetis (many on cloudy days) and fish can be found rising to these small mayflies in the afternoons. When there are few bugs on the water, fish can be brought up to attractors, ants and hoppers on the sunny days. Nymphing has been best early in the day. Late in the afternoons we’ve had much better luck on dries.
Lyon Bridge to Ennis: 9/7/2010
The Madison has fished pretty well in the float section provided the flies go where they need to go and drift naturally. If these criteria aren’t met, the fish simply aren’t going to bite. Ants, Hoppers and attractors have worked very well in the afternoons when the weather has been nice. Fish have fed pretty well on baetis when is is cloudy. Morning hours have been better for nymphing than dries and the fish have eaten dips and baetis nymphs decently.
Gallatin River: 9/7/2010
Visibility on the Gallatin below the Taylor’s Fork has been in and out, but when the river is clear the fishing has been pretty good. The fish aren’t too active until things warm up a bit so don’t feel the need to get on the water at the crack of dawn. Nymphing in the mornings with caddis larva and baetis nymphs has been pretty good once the chill goes away. After lunch, a few baetis have hatches and the fish are on the lookout for ants. Trudes and Parachute Adams are just about all one needs.
Hebgen Lake: 9/7/2010
Enjoy the last of the Gulper fishing NOW. Callibaetis have been thick on the nicer days we have had and the fish have been feeding heavily. There are still Tricos and ants have fallen on the lake a few evenings. There aren’t many good gulper days left so be sure to take advantage.