When to Come and What To Expect:
Fly Fishing: Outside Yellowstone National Park – August – Madison River – From Hebgen Lake to Ennis, Montana
The popularity of the Madison River will decrease from its peak high in July, but it will still remain busy with anglers. There is plenty of water to go around and crowding isn’t a problem during August. The big attractor to the river, the Salmonfly hatch, will be over. The fishing will continue to be very good throughout most of the river the entire month of August. It should be one of your top priorities if catching big trout is on your list of things to do.
Eperous mayflies, as they are locally called, will be plentiful. They hatch in the afternoons about 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The spinners fall late in the day, about 8:00 PM or later. The most fished flies will probably be terrestrial patterns. Ants, beetles, and grass hoppers will be plentiful and fishing imitations along the banks of the Madison River will be a good strategy. The best time for this will be in the afternoons when the wind blows the strongest.
The late evening caddisfly action will continue and be your best bet right up until dark. The big mistake made by anglers fishing the egg laying activity is leaving the river too early in the evening.
The wading areas will all be good, starting below Hebgen Lake. The drift boat trips will also produce well. There are many fly shops that offer drift boat guide service. Booking one will normally provide a worthwhile and productive fishing trip.
If the flows are right, the stream between the lakes usually fishes well. This has always been a favorite place for fishing terrestrial imitations during August.
Don’t fail to consider the Madison for August. Just because the Stonefly hatches have ended, doesn’t mean the fishing won’t continue to be good.
Copyright 2012 James Marsh