Madison River
Hebgen Lake to Quake Lake 10/8/08
The Forest Service still has the stretch from Hebgen Dam to Beaver Creek closed to all activity including fishing. Rumor from the USFS is that PPL is finishing up their fall repairs on Friday and the river may reopen for fishing on Monday. We’ll see if this is the case, but in the meantime, we’ve had to fish elsewhere.
Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge: 10/8/08
There have been some good Baetis hatches in the wade section, but anglers have had to hunt and peck to find rising fish. Nymphs have been far more consistent in bringing home the bacon. We’ve had our best luck with small Baetis and Midge patterns like Bead Head BWO Soft Hackles, Olive Pheasant Tails and Zebra Midges. A lot of the better fish are in deeper riffles in the middle of the river. These fish are in faster water than one might expect and many anglers will pass by. Don’t make the same mistake.
Lyon Bridge -Ennis: 10/8/08
There aren’t many boats floating the Madison right now and it certainly helps make for a pleasant day on the river. As icing on the cake, we’ve also found some pretty good fishing. Nymphing has been the bread and butter approach lately. Some days the fish happily eat Silli Leg Stones and Princes, but they are not always effective. When the bigger flies don’t produce, counter by fishing two small nymphs. Bead Head Micro Mayflies, Shop Vacs and Red Crystal Dips are all effective nymphs in #16 to #18. Not in the mood to nymph? Hucking streamers against the banks as been a great alternative. Browns are on the prowl and have responded well to Double Bunnies, McCunne’s Sculpins and Cone Head Buggers.
Gallatin River - North of YNP: 10/8/08
The Gallatin has continued to fish well. Baetis hatches are still going strong and streamer fishing has been pretty good when subsurface fishing without a bobber is what the mood calls for. Of course, one can still find fish willing to eat nymphs, but streamers are a good option this time of year.
Hebgen Lake: 10/8/08
Cool weather has picked up the streamer fishing on Hebgen. Long casts with baitfish imitations like Copper and Olive Zonkers are the key to finding browns staging in river mouths.
Quake Lake: 10/8/08
Quake has been fishing well with buggers and streamers. Fish along drop offs, tree structure and rocks. Cover a lot of water with a slow sinking line and vary your retrieve speed until you find what the fish want. Keep the flies above the fish, as they are far more prone to attack a streamer above them in the water column than below.