Madison River Fishing Report for August 16th, 2022
Dam: 1,050 cfs
Kirby: 1,170 cfs
Varney: 1,330 cfs
Fishing has improved a little since our last report but it has still been fairly inconsistent this week. Early morning streamer fishing and terrestrial fishing between noon and 2:00 pm have been the only consistent ways of getting quality fish in the boat, although some days the nymph bite has been good enough to save the day as well. With the mercury still rising into the high 80’s and 90’s it has been difficult on all fronts after 3:30 – 4:00 p.m., so you best bet is still to get your fishing in during the morning and early afternoon hours and then head back out later in the evening.
If you are an early riser you can get into some great fish on small sculpin and baitfish patterns throughout the entire river. Black and olive Dungeons, Envys, Barely Legals, Mini Loops and the like have been getting some great browns tight against the banks, but it has been done after nine or so. A lot of guys in the float section have been nymphing zonkers and other small streamers under the indicator and getting it right in their face, as they haven’t really been chasing once the sun hits the water. As far a nymph patterns are concerned, smaller patterns like green machines, serendipities, micro mays, etc have been the most productive options out there. You can still get a few on rubber legs early in the morning around Lyon’s bridge but they are getting a little wise to that as well.
The best window for dry fly fishing is still in that 12 -2 window and small hoppers and foam attractors are starting to get more attention out there. It’s still not excellent by any means, but you will have shots at good quality fish if you keep at it. Skippy Hoppers, Thunder Things, and Morrish hoppers in #12-14 have been some of our better ones lately and it never hurts to drop an ant or small caddis behind them as well.
8 Mile Ford to Ennis Lake is still on Hoot Owl Restrictions, meaning that it is closed to fishing between 2:00 pm and midnight. The entire river upstream from 8 Mile is still fishable all day.
