The Madison River in the Park is looking better, though high water temps on the lower Gibbon and Firehole continue to be an issue on these sunny fall days we’ve been having of late.  The last few days both tribs to the upper Madison have had water temps peak around 65, so it is much better than several weeks ago.  We’d still argue I suppose that there are lots of other waters fishing better and with healthier fish at this point.

We hear that there has been a decent Trico spinner fall after 9 on some mornings, though the better fishing to be had is probably on the sunny afternoons with hopper (terrestrial) - dropper set ups. 

The falls runs have not moved into the river though there are reports of some fish being teased in the barns holes in the past few days.  As weather improves we should see some better afternoon and evening caddis hatches, the western red quill, and more midges.  Streamers and streamer - nymph set ups will make sense on the cooler mornings and overcast days. 

Flows today near West Yellowstone are 317 cfs at 0515, with the average for today 422 cfs, and the 20% marker 357 cfs.  She’s obviously still running quite low.

The  Upper Madison river in Montana below the lakes continues to fish   well - check our Madision River Reports (divided into Upper Madison and Lower Madison) at Best Fly Fishing Montana.com.(this link will take you right to the report blog).  The Upper and Lower Madison reports were updated yesterday.

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Flies to have in the box:

Dries:  Tricos -Trico Spinner, CDC Trico Spinner, Thorax Trico; Caddis - EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis - tan, olive, black;  your midge package; your attractor package; its too early but we’d have a Red Quill pattern in the box too

Nymphs: San Juan Worm, red, brown, tan; PT; BHPT; BH Hares Ear, Copper John, olive; BH Prince; Lightning bugs, gold, silver, green/olive

Terrestials: Hoppers - Grand, Whit, Dave’s, Carnage, Kicking, Hoppinator; Beetles- Fire, Foam, HiVis, Sam’s;  Ants - Chernobyl, ParaAnt, black and cinnamon, CDC Flying ant, black, brown, cinnamon; Epoxy, same colors

Streamers:  Woolly buggers, brown, yellow, olive, black; Sparkle buggers, same colors; Girdle bug; Zonkers, assorted

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