MADISON RIVER FLOWS

Flows over the past week have dropped, that is due to NWE establishing the winter outflow from Hebgen to accommodate the brown trout spawn.  Once they determine the winter outflow for October and November they will likely not go below that flow throughout the winter months. 

West Yellowstone - 392 CFS 

Below Hebgen - 844 CFS

Kirby - 976 CFS

Varney - 1200 CFS

Please remember that brown trout have begun to make their annual spawning run -  play these fish (all fish) quickly and release them unharmed.  If you must, snap a quick pic and get them back in the water - keep them as wet as humanly possible and limit their exposure to the air and your fishing gloves.  Take those gloves off when handling fish!  If you notice fish on redds- LEAVE THEM ALONE. 

BETWEEN THE LAKES

Fall colors continue to be on the side of epic, we haven't had a color change of this magnitude for quite some time and it's truly been amazing.  This is likely due from all the moisture we have received this summer and fall.   Beautiful weather is on the horizon this weekend so be prepared with streamers, nymphs and dry flies. I would be on the look out for a BWO emergence mid/late morning throughout the afternoon any day from now until the end of the season.  Don't forget to carry bear spray either, by now, it should just part of one's everyday attire. 

Jojo's BWO, Parachute Adams and BWO Sparkle Duns are great choices for small dry flies.  I always carry a standard Pheasant Tail (no bead) this time of the year to be dropped off a Parachute Adams and fished in the shallow riffles or slicks.  A #10 black rubber leg, #16 olive hot spot jig, #18 Pheasant tail, #16 serendipities, #16 Shop Vac, #16 black Zebra midges, #16 and #18 Juju Baetis are all great choices for nymphing. 

WADE SECTION

Not a lot will change for the rest of the season in the Wade Section, until winter really sets in, things should be pretty stable down there.  If you want to get an early start, your best bet is swinging or stripping a streamer.  I personally like a floating line and a 9ft leader - I will fish a heavy sculpin pattern in the deeper runs or something that doesn't sink too fast and fish the shallower riffles. Depending on the day, the streamers bite might last for several hours.  On the warmer days, a Jojo's #16 Chubbinator or ant could move a fair share of fish along the banks and in the slicks when fished without drag.  For me personally, I fish a single dry fly to eliminate drag when wade fishing.  Definitely be on the look out for a late morning/early afternoon BWO emergence any day from here on out. I always carry a standard Pheasant Tail (no bead) this time of the year to be dropped off a dry fly and fished in the shallow riffles or slicks. Cover water, move quickly and then slow down when you start catching fish and pay attention to the water fish are coming out of.  Nymphing has been productive as well with jigs, Shop Vacs, Olive Dips, Zebra midges, Juju Baetis and small rubber legs.   Black/Olive BFE, Olive Bouface, Sparkle Minnow, Scuplin Snacks and the Thin Mint are all great streamer patterns.  Might be a good idea to try a mouse pattern early in the morning or late in the evening...maybe...or maybe not. ;)  

FLOAT SECTION

With flows dropping down a bit, things will get a little skinny in some spots throughout the float stretch.  Overall, its been pretty darn empty in the float stretch with regards to traffic. The bite has still been day to day or hour by hour, but for those willing to put in the work, the rewards are there for sure.  We have been nymphing or stripping streamers during the morning and then just after lunch, switching over to ants or a BWO after lunch.  Fishing small dries like the BWO can be difficult at times as these flies are so small (cycle through a new fly once in awhile if need be to help withe floatation) and hit the slicks and edges of the banks, some really nice fish can be taken this time of the year on BWO patterns.  Don't be afraid to fish two small nymphs in the shallow water either. 

Deep nymphing is always on deck in October and it's been pretty good lately with jigs, Shop Vacs, Olive Dips, Zebra midges, bunny fur flies, Juju Baetis and small rubber legs.  Fishing an Olive bouface or Sparkle Minnow in the morning is never a bad idea either.  Smaller attractor dries still work from time to time - patterns such as Micro Chubbies, Jojo’s Chubinator, Jojo’s Red/Black Ant or Jojo's Honey Ant can still fool a few fish once/if the sun comes up. Jojo's BWO, Parachute Adams and BWO Sparkle Duns are great choices for small dry flies.