Streamers are the way to go, especially if you want to encounter larger fish along the lower river. This also applies to Box Canyon where large nymphs will also give you a chance for the big guys. Low light conditions will be the best time to be on the river.
No real change in the past few days. Best action is along the southwest corner of the lake and near the State Park. Action along the north shore is picking up, but will really get going as we cool off further. Scud patterns remain very effective, and small leech patterns will work.
Chesterfield continues to improve, and Daniels remains the stalwart excellent fishery whether you prefer such as presenting leech and streamer patterns or midge pupa under an indicator. There are also fish sipping midges at the surface there. Springfield is coming on as we advance into fall, and like Daniels a variety of presentations offer success.
Streamers and BWO life cycle patterns make for the best fishing almost anywhere. The Madison River drainage also features midge emergences that are bringing fish to the surface. Hoppers are pretty much gone because of hard frosts. In the near future look for some late autumn fisheries to become places to consider. This includes the run of browns into the Gardner River, Trout Lake with its huge cuts and ‘bows, and the run of browns into the Snake River.
Stick to the Blackfoot, Teton, Warm and Portneuf sized streams now. Colder weather shuts down smaller streams because insect activity shuts down and water levels drop.
Browns are running, and big rainbows are active. Evenings, cloudy stormy days, and early AMs are best. Take light and dark colored streamer patterns. Use streamer tip lines for good results.
The middle Madison is making up for the high water that resulted from problems at Hebgen Dam. Great responses to streamer patterns, large nymphs, BWO life cycle, and caddis patterns. Hebgen Lake continues to offer good fishing for those presenting streamer patterns in estuaries.
Flow out of Palisades Dam is at 3050 cfs. This makes for great walk-in fishing selection, and boating remains good but takes longer to go from point A to B. Streamers and BWO life cycle patterns with an occasional rubberlegs/dropper combo are the ways to find actio
Fish are in shallow water, but we need a good cold snap to break up weeds. Until then, scud patterns will be most effective.
Chesterfield continues to improve, and Daniels remains the stalwart excellent fishery whether you prefer such as presenting leech and streamer patterns or midge pupa under an indicator. There are also fish sipping midges at the surface there. Springfield is coming on as we advance into fall, and like Daniels a variety of presentations offer success.