Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 10/8/2023
West Yellowstone = Brown Town, USA!
Montana
Montana
Hebgen: The dry fly fishing on the lake is pretty much finished. Callibaetis/Chrironomid nymphs should be fishing okay. When you aren't seeing fish rise it may be worth stripping leeches, larger streamers, or large damselfly nymphs in either the Grayling/Madison arms of the lake, as migratory Browns and Rainbows are for sure moving into the tributaries.
Flies: #8 Black or Olive Simi Seal Leech, #6 Balanced Squirrel Leech Black, #6 Olive or Black Hot Bead Leech, #8 Thin Mint, #12 Balanced Damsel, #6 Peanut Envy Brown, #6 Sculpinator, #12 O.S. Buzzer
Flows:
Inflow to Hebgen Lake: 834 cfs
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 834 cfs
Kirby Flows: 886 cfs
** Flows as of 12pm October 7th, 2023 **
Upper Madison: Not much has changed since 10/1 :) The Madison is of course still nymphing very well. Smaller mayfly and caddis nymphs, as well as dip style midges are what we're throwing lately. Dry flies are quickly wrapping up in the valley but streamers are heating up on the upper as the weather chills. We could still see some BWO's on the rainier days however.
Flies: #16-18 Redneck, #16-18 Shop Vac, #18 Black Crystal Dip, #18 Olive Micro Mayfly, #18 Hogan's S&M Black, #16 Olive Hot Spot, #18 BWO Comparadun, #16 BWO CDC Comparadun, #6 Peanut Envy Brown/Olive, #4 Rio's Make it Rainbow Brown/Yellow, #6 Black Hot Bead Leech, #4 Brown Sculpinator, #4 Olive/White Barely Legal
YNP
Streamers & Soft Hackles are the Kings of October in YNP
Flows:
Madison near West Yellowstone: 370 cfs
Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake : 836 cfs
Gibbon: 96 cfs
Gallatin near Big Sky: 376 cfs
** Flows as of 12pm October 7th, 2023 **
Gallatin: The Gallatin is low, clear, and cold enough that you don't need to be there before 10/11am. Terrestrials, and small mayfly/caddis nymphs are fishing well on the Gallatin lately. A hopper dropper is a good way to search around this river. Smaller attractor dries like Royal Wulffs and Stimulators should also entice a rise.
Flies: #16-18 Shop Vac, #16-18 Black Krystal Dip, #16 Pink Chili Dog, #14 Royal Chubby Chernobyl, #18 Parachute Adams, #16 Orange Spruce Moth, #16 Rocky Mtn Mint PMD, #14 Royal Stimulator, #16 Arrick's Ant, #14 Royal Wulff, #16 Bionic Ant Brown
Madison/Firehole/Gibbon: Lake run fish have finally ascended into the Madison. We're getting them pretty consistently on streamers on days with more inclement weather. Soft hackles have also been fishing well most days. The Gibbon is nymphing decent but hoppers are pretty much done here as well. Soft hackles should also be taking fish on the Firehole.
Flies: #8-10 Partridge and Orange, #8-10 Partridge and Pheasant Tail, #14 Prince Nymph, #16-18 Frenchie, #14 Diving Caddis, #6 Olive Slump-Buster, #6 Olive Montana Mouthwash, #8 Black or Olive Hot Bead Leech, #6 Double Bunny Olive/White, #6 Olive Slump-Buster
Yellowstone/NE Corner: The Yellowstone is slowing down drastically as the season continues. The Lamar and its tributaries are all fishing well with fish looking up, however, with recent weather the Lamar valley could see snow this week. Look for fish rising on Tricos and small BWO's. Pink, purple, and red chubbies, as well as other terrestrials like will also fish well. Streamers should fish well if dries are slow.
Flies: #18-20 Parachute BWO, #18 Guide Winna Spinna, #10 Yellow Thunder Thighs, #16 Rocky Mtn Mint Adam's, #16 Butch Sally, #14 pink/purple/red Chubby Chernobyl, #6 Black Hot Bead Leech, #6 Olive Slump-Buster, #6 Olive/Black Crystal Bugger
We are now booking float, & walk/wade trips for the 2024 season. Give us a call if you have any questions or are looking to book a guided trip.
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Also in Madison River Fishing Report - Upper Madison River Fishing Report - Greater Yellowstone Area Fishing Reports
Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 10/15/2023
The 2023 season is slowly wrapping up in the Greater Yellowstone Area
Tyler Amory
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