MADISON RIVER FLOWS 

West Yellowstone – 343 CFS

Below Hebgen - 787 CFS

Kirby - 976 CFS

Varney - 1210 CFS 

A couple things to note:

1. Hebgen Lake is 6 inches from full pond. This is as close as we will get to filling the lake. 
   
2. Flows have jumped up A LOT in the last week. Be careful while wade fishing, where you waded last week is deeper and much more swift. Wear a wading belt for your own safety. 

BETWEEN THE LAKES

You won't be alone in this stretch, it seems like all the usual suspects are lurking around BLT and fishing this incredible stretch of water. There are bugs galore down in this reach and the fish will respond eating mayflies, caddis and stoneflies.  Our fly selection remains relatively unchanged from last week’s report – tandem nymph rigs featuring a rubber legs and mayfly nymphs or caddis larva hung off the back will be your most productive sub surface rigs.  Patterns of choice here recently have been the 101 Stone from Cat3 or Heames’ Jig Rubberlegs in #8 or #10 paired with a #14/16 Redneck or Olive hot-spot perdigon hung below. For caddis larva and pupa - the AZ Hares Ear, Shop Vac or Blow Torch are great choices.  Not into bobber fishing?  We don't blame you. Try swinging the Blow Torch or Soft Hackle PT for some high quality grabs.  Early morning streamer fishing can produce as well right now, streamers such as the Sparkle Minnow, BFE or Bouface Leech are working before the sun hits the water.  The dry-dropper rig is as effective option these days as anything. Hang any of these nymphs two feet below a Chubby and let it roll. Mayflies and caddis are the main game down there for now, a classy way to fish is with a single dry fly - there will always be less drag on this set up versus the tandem dry fly rig. Patterns of choice are as follows - Chubbies of all sizes and colors (we like #14 and #10), #16 Chubbinator, #14 Iron X Caddis, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, tan X caddis, #12 & 14 Dark Missing Link, #14 Jojo Riffle Riser, #14 Yellow Missing Link, #14 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16 Jojo PMD. 

WADE SECTION

The Wade Section continues to fish well and the word is out.  Raynolds and $3 are pretty darn busy - please remember to be courteous to your fellow angler and give others plenty of room to enjoy their day.  Fish are hanging the their summer haunts - fast shallow riffles, soft pillows in front of boulders and edges close to the bank all have fish lurking around. Cover water quickly, slow down when you find a fish and observe the type of water said fish came out of.  Then find more of it!  A skilled nymph fisherman will pick up more fish with a stonefly and a midge, caddis larva/pupa or small mayfly nymph - but is it really about quantity?  For those of us at BSA, dry fly fishing much more satisfying!  Patterns of choice right now are as follows - Chubbies of all sizes and colors (we like #14 and #10), #16 Chubbinator, #14 Iron X Caddis, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, tan X caddis, #14 Dark Missing Link, #14 Jojo Riffle Riser, #14 Yellow Missing Link, #14 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16 Jojo PMD

FLOAT SECTION

The river is cruising right along after last weeks flow bumps from Hebgen Dam. The tribs in the valley are dropping fast, but are flowing cold.  Salmon flies and Goldens are bouncing around the river from Lyons to Palisades - there are trout looking up for those, but everyone is fishing a big bug right now as well.  The Tan Caddis, aka Hydropsyche, are in full swing and hatching daily.  Its pretty darn good fishing down there and the dry fly fishing is solid.  The dry/dropper fishing is producing and a great way to start the morning until the bugs begin to hit the water.  Think sparsely dressed, fast-sinking droppers with a big tungsten bead. We’ve got a number of gnarly, 3.8mm bead perdigons in the store that’ll do the trick — namely the Tungsten Jig Splitcase PMD in #14/16, and Roza’s Pink Hare’s Ear Jig in #14/12. Olive Hotspots, Shop Vacs, Prince nymphs, Pheasant Tail, AZ Hare's Ear, and Redneck’s in #14/16 will also fool plenty of fish.  There is no time like the present to fish dry flies. #14 Elk Hair, #16 Compara Buzz, #14/16 Chubbies, #14/16 Chubbinators are great choices. There are Big Bugs, aka Salmonflies flying, the fish have been enjoying down wing patters like the Water Walker but also want a fluttering fly from time to time.  Get your fly into the bank, as deep as you can with a good reach cast and you will be rewarded. 

If you haven't used the Fly Banjo combined with your favorite fly floatant, than you are truly missing out on the greatest little dry fly secrets there is.  

Respect the Fish 

1. Keep the fish wet at all times. 
2. Get out of the boat for fish pictures, if you need one. Take those pics quickly and get them back in the water.  
3. Release played out fish on the banks where they can safely recover. 
4. Be cool to other boats and wade anglers. Give plenty of room to other anglers. 
5. Drop anchor on or near the bank when you need to change flies or re-rig. Bouncing your anchor down the river is complete nonsense and frowned upon.