Basic Dry Flies for Fly Fishing the Madison River Montana - Popular Patterns for 2011

The Madison River in Montana is a long stretch of fishable water that offers great fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow trout. Whether fishing the Lower or Upper Madison (from Quake Lake to Ennis Lake), or the section of the river that runs through Yellowstone Park, or the area into Quake Lake, there are five basic dry fly patterns that every angler should have in their fly box. The local fly shops will have their own variations of these classic flies as well as many favorite local patterns, but the avid fly-fisherman should carry these dry flies as they are often as effective as any other patterns and can be purchased at relatively low prices.

All of these five flies are classics - universally found in every experienced fly fisherman's fly box and can be purchased from the major brand outfitters like Orivs, Bass Pro or Cabellas and at any local fly shop.

1)The Stimulator: This classic backwing imitator is a solid go-to fly when there is no apparent hatch on the water. Stimulators with rubber legs work great as hopper imitators and the standard (non rubber-legged) stimulator can be very effective during a salmon fly or big stone fly hatch. When you see those bugs on the surface, reach for a stimulator.  Stimulators with body colors of yellow, olive and orange are great as stonefly variants. This fly sits high in the water and rides well even in faster runs. Have a couple in various sizes from 6 to 16.

2) Elk Hair Caddis: The Caddis - It's a classic American dry fly, imitating a natural adult caddis (which can be found in so many waters across the United States), and can be used in slow moving streams as well as in some of the most active waters. It can be fished like a regular dry fly or skated across the water - when a little bit more attention is needed from actively feeding trout. Tan, olive, and yellow bodied Caddis are good options to stock in your fly box. The Goddard Caddis is a popular variant for the Madison River - it has a trimmed body with prominent antennae...Stock up on Caddis sizes 10 through 18. Evening caddis hatches can turn on like clockwork on the Madison in the summer months of July and August.

3) Pale Morning Dun - commonly refered to as PMD, this pattern is a must-have fly for when there are baetis mayflies around. Try fishing PMDs from late spring through mid-summer. If you see trout rising and agressively feeding on small mayflies, the PMD can be very effective. PMDs are also great for fishing back eddies and running below low hanging vegetation on slow drifts. I suggest PMD sizes of 14-18 and using light tippet of 5x and lighter.

4) Blue Winged Olive - also known as the "BWO," the blue winged olive is a complement to PMDs as they also imitate baetis mayflies. Identifiable by its dark-blue hackle, you should also stock up in smaller sizes of 14-18. The BWO is a great fly for slower moving water across wide deep pools using light tippet. If you have tried an Adams or PMD to try and match Baetidae insects with low success, try casting a blue winged olive.

5) Parachute Adams - This is a popular variant of the classic Adams fly (which you also should have plenty of) and is one of the most versatile dry flies; it belongs in every fly box. When there is low light and small bugs on the water, the parachute adams can be effective with its very visible underside profile. Because you are probably going to be casting smaller sizes, its white post makes it very visible in wide drifts - helping you to mend line and keep the presentation just right.  The parachute adams can be used both as an attractor and as a go-to mayfly imitator. For the Madison, i suggest smaller sized parachutes from 14 -20. (note, some shops sell this as "Adams Parachute" - a subtle name twist, but when the rows of flies in shops are alphabetized, knowing this can come in handy).

Keep in mind, some of the best dry-fly fishing can happen in bad weather and low lighting. Don't be afraid to cast in the cold and the rain. Big fish can be caught in the worst weather and when the light is fading! A popular technique that you may want to try is casting a larger fly like a size 10 stimulator with a 'dropper' nymph like a copper john or a prince nymph on light tippet.

When there are a lot of grasshoppers around in July through September, try casting along the cuts along the river banks and the weed beds. Hopper patterns and stimulators are the right choice and can work very well. The weeds and bank undercuts can hold some big trout. One type of fly worth mentioning is the hopper - foam bodied or more traditional hackled patterns are both effective - orange bodied hoppers work well in the fall.  Local fly shops will have their recommendations on their favorite hopper patterns.