Madison River

Dam: 832 cfs

Kirby: 871 cfs

Indian Summer appears to have finally descended upon the Madison Valley, and with temperatures scheduled to hold in the mid-seventies through next week, it’s a great time to head out to the river for what is sure to be the last window of hoppertunity until next year.

The wade section continues to be your best bet for consistency and numbers,  particularly around Raynold’s and Three Dollar. It’s been a little chilly out there, so no need to be out on the river until 8:30 a.m., but it would be in your best interest to start the morning out right nymphing small midges and baetis nymphs along the pockets and seams– small attractors like lightening bugs, princes, and copper johns shouldn’t be overlooked but we’ve been picking up more quality fish on midges and baetis these days.  As temperatures start to get up into the high sixties around 1:00 p.m. break out the hoppers, ants, and beetles… We’ve actually been seeing more hoppers outside the shop over the last few days than we’ve seen all season. Morrish, Grand, and parachute hoppers seem to be doing the best when the fish are on them, but ants have been a little more consistent these days as a whole.

Streamer fishing has picked up quite a bit, and we are even seeing some fish moving up between the lakes…not a lot, but certainly enough to make it worth your while.  Some lucky folks fishing the Madison in the Park have been rewarded with some very large brown trout making their way up from Hebgen as well.