After some seriously suspect reports last week from some other area shops, the Salmonfly hatch on the Madison is now officially off and rolling! The Big Bugs started trickling on Friday and Saturday and popping hard below Varney on Monday. The numbers are still thinner below Burnt Tree but there are enough Goldens in there to make it worthwhile. The bulk of the Salmonflys (and in some cases thicker Goldens) are concentrated right now from a couple miles above Varney to about 8-Mile with bugs showing all the way up to McAtee and as mentioned, down to almost the Ennis Bridge. As always we’re seeing bugs for a long stretch of river and will likely see adults near Palisades towards weeks end. They almost always appear in pockets though without a clearly defined “head of the hatch”. In the still heavy flow (just over 1700 cfs right now), there will probably be bugs around for the next several weeks. We actually have just about perfect conditions for the hatch so far; higher water, hot weather, and so far lots and lots of bugs! Besides the Salmonflys and Golden Stones there are myriad other bugs out there right now with more showing up every day. The most prominent of which is a huge brown caddis we call the Brown Bomber. These things are a true size 8 and spend a bunch of time actually on the water laying eggs and generally screwing around so to speak. There are also very good numbers of Yellow Sallys, some Lime Sallys, PMDs and probably 4 or 5 other various caddis species. No shortage of fish food out there right now. As far as where to go at the moment; if you’re on foot probably 8-Mile or Varney will be your best bet for finding some fish eating Salmonflys. Downstream from that say town and Valley Garden, you’ll find good numbers of caddis both in the mornings and late into the evenings. Upstream, towards McAtee, Ruby Creek, Palisades and beyond you may get lucky and run into a pocket or two of Salmonflys or Goldens, enough to get the fish interested. There will also be caddis and the other aforementioned bugs. Way up there at 3 Dollar and Reynolds you’ll find more caddis and probably more mayflies as well and very likely a few fewer people until the Salmonflys show up there. Off and running hard here in the Madison Valley. Stay Tuned!

Stay tuned for continuing River updates!

If you are in town, stop by the shop and ask us about the right bugs and stretch of river. We’ll hook you up with the best of both. We guarantee we have the best and most innovative patterns you’ll see anywhere!

Contact us for Madison River Fishing Company's 2008 Fly Fishing Catalog featuring the best fly tackle on the market. Give us a call at 800-227-7127 or email us at mrfc@3rivers.net and we will send you a copy.

We also offer Montana fly fishing schools and Montana guide services.

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