TIGHT JACKETS AND JUMPING TROUT
October 2022
UPDATED 10/07/2022
Happy Friday, Madison Valley! It’s shaping up to be another beautiful weekend here in Ennis, Montana. The trees are beginning to dawn their full fall foliage while old man winter slowly awakes from his slumber, further creeping towards the inevitable. Let’s enjoy fall while it lasts because we sure know what’s coming! Our shop is currently inundated with phone calls from CenturyLink internet customers, so if you need to speak with us at the shop please reach out via email.
Water flows at Cameron have stayed relatively consistent throughout the last week. Flows are running at 949 CFS as of this morning , 460 CFS below the 23 year daily median. We’re starting to see cooler water temperatures as the nights turn cold. Over the course of the last four days, water temperatures have fluctuated between 49°F and 57.5°F. Air temperatures look to be consistent during the upcoming week with lots of sunshine gracing the valley.
Streamer fishing has been improving by the day on the Upper river. I’ve found that as the temperature warms up in the morning, fish are starting to become more aggressive towards a quickly stripped streamer. Most of the fish that I’ve picked off this week have been holding in shallow water. Be ready for a grab the instant your fly hits the water. Small black Caddis, October Caddis, and fall baetis have been spotted all across the river. While the sunny forecast doesn't bode well for excellent dry fly fishing, the opportunity is still there nonetheless. Switch it up this week and get out of your comfort zone!
Streamers: Mini Dungeon Black and Olive, Silk Kitty White and Tan, Mini D&D White/Pearl, Peanut Envy Olive and Black, El Sculpito Olive, Eric’s Smooth Criminal Olive, Sculpin Leech Gray.
Dry Flies: X-Stimulator Royal, X-Stimulator Yellow, Holo Humpy Orange, X-Fly Parachute Adams, Royal Ant, Parachute Flying Ant Rust.
Nymphs: Shop Vac, Tungsten Jig SF-Olive, King Prince, TB Lightning Bug Pearl, Pat’s Rubber Legs Black, Two Bit Stone Dark, Improved Wire Worm Red, Globug Egg Cream.
Looking for some fly tying material to create these patterns? Check out our fly tying collection online or stop by the shop! Continue to practice your best fish handling techniques. Avoid fish pictures for the gram whenever possible so that we can continue to have healthy fish populations for years to come.
- MRFC Guide Danny Eiden
