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.
It’s the time of the season where action slows on many smaller waters. Some that remain in the fold of providing action include the lower Teton River, the lower Blackfoot River, Warm River around the spring (the river from the tunnel to the Henry’s Fork confluence remains closed to protect spawning browns), Birch Creek, and certain parts of Fall River. Get in touch with us for strategy suggestions on some of these.
Streamer fishing is really producing well up and down the river. Evenings, low light, and early hours are best. Low light conditions will also bring on BWO emergences and resulting action from feeding fish. But presenting streamers is the surest way to encounter the big fish here!
We have some reports of fishing picking up in Clark Canyon Reservoir for those presenting leech patterns near the Red Rock inlet. Flow out of the dam is around 300 cfs, but look for reductions in the near future. The Madison River below Quake Lake is fishing fine, the problem is in the road conditions for getting there.
The lower river now features a terrific BWO emergence. There are also some providing action at Last Chance. Same as on the South Fork: don’t overlook streamers when you pack that fly box. And just like the South Fork, flows are dropping making walk-in access choices safer and easier.
Fish are moving to shallow water, but fishing has been a bit spotty in some places. Right now best shallow water fishing on the lake is around the State Park where there are plenty of places to wade. Leech patterns in fall colors on intermediate lines result in the best chances for action.
Snowstorms kept some folks away from this part of the country last week, but now roads are clear, and we have heard of good responses to BWOs and midges. With flows out of Mackay Dam around 150 cfs the river is in ideal condition for walk-in fishing.
Most reservoirs are fishing very well, thank you. Action at Chesterfield has picked up since we have cooled off. Fall color (halloweens, purple, brown or olive mohair, dark crystal buggers, green apple, bead head peacock) leeches presented on intermediate lines are very effective here as well as on Daniels, Springfield and Twenty-four (be careful when traversing the mud flats) Mile Reservoirs. Springfield features the best midge fishing, and even Hawkins, low as it is, is producing fish for those presenting leech patterns.
Flow out of Palisades Dam dropped to 3600 cfs last night. This makes for even more walk-in fishing along the river. On overcast days, day-long BWO emergences up and down the river make for great fishing, as well as for good streamer fishing. Look for more drops in flow coming out of Palisades Dam.
Did you lose a Canon digital camera in the river a bit below Cottonwood? One has been found, and the card within held pictures, still of good quality, taken back in July. That’s bad news for the camera with respect to being water logged, but if it is yours and you want it and/or the pictures, call 208-300-3030.
Winter is making an early appearance. The big considerations now are to dress accordingly and to watch driving conditions. On doing so, BWO emergences all along the Madison drainage are in high gear, and trout are responding. Of course terrestrial populations are taking a hit because of the weather. Streamer fishing remains the best way to encounter bigger fish now particularly on the Madison, Snake, or Lewis drainages