Montana in September?

[Forrest6775]

So I'm going to Montana for the first week of September. Anyone know what to expect that time of year? Don't have a set itinerary just kind of winging it. Any info appreciated.

[twinbridges]

Everything is a guess, but, I think you may be in for a fine time.  It looks like the water will be in the river and there is this rumour about a bumper hopper crop, and if those two things happen it can be something to remember.  The hoppers being slammed by a big ole trout will just about scare you and make you drop your pole.  Just remember to be a bit slower on the hookset so you don't drag it out of their mouth....then hold on for they will be shucking and jiving after that.

I spend most of my time over by the Big Hole, Jefferson, Beaverhead and Madison with some wade fishing way up the Ruby, like 35 miles above the  resevoir but there is plenty of water in Montana so just enjoy whereever you  are and I bet you catch some great fish.  And well the scenery is unbelieveable.....   

[jwgnc]

Early September can be very good.   I've been in the West Yellowstone area in the first week of Sep and the hoppers were hoppin on the Galatin up toward Bozeman, and Beetles worked well on the Madison below Quake Lake.  Sunny and windy says hoppers.  Slam 'em down - bad casting can help. 

We also had a big drake mayfly on the Lamar (don't recall if they were Green or Bown).  It was about a size #12 - So I used my over-tied Hendricksons, or sparse Brown Drakes. 

And if the weather is spittin rain - go to the Firehole.  If you get to WestY - stop in at Blue Ribbon Files and they'll set you up.

[twinbridges]

 afew more pics

[troutphisher]

Excellent pics TB........

[twinbridges]

well I guess I can do a couple more as there r only abort a gazillion clogging up all my hard drives.!!!

[twinbridges]

another

[Forrest6775]

Those pic are getting me excited. Anyone ever fished around three dollar bridge(madison river?)? read something about it yesterday.

[twinbridges]

Not exactly my favorite althought I am certain there are fish.  typically pretty fast bumpy water with some slick ass rocks.  If you want to wade fish some on the Madison I would go to VArney Bridge and park there upstream of the bridge and then work my way downstream from the bridge, jump a couple fences etc and then there is the first channel to the right maybe 100 yds below the bridge and there are a bunch of braids through there that you could easily make a morning of. 

Also, just below the Ennis Bridge down to Valley Garden there is a wade fishing section only for the river.  You may see some drift boats but they have to get out of the boat to fish so that works for the waders.  It is accessible maybe best from down near Valley Garden as there is a camp ground there and some good wade channels. 

I would for certain go to the upper upper Ruby, way above the resevoir.  Also some good fishing on the Ruby near Alder.

[jwgnc]

Those pic are getting me excited. Anyone ever fished around three dollar bridge(madison river?)? read something about it yesterday.

Yup

Get there at 0900 and you might be the first vehicle.  Don't forget to bring $3, it's bad luck if you don't.

First one to the 4 banks (up or down, left or right) can fish within a foot of the bank in deep cuts and dap for the bank feeders.  Don't get in the water unless you have to - and only later in the day - like the first pic.  That's the new bridge in the second pic, from near-side down

[phg]

I was told, last summer, that $3 Bridge area has the highest concentration of trout in the whole Madison River.   Also, I was told to fish upstream from the bank, or with minimal wading.  The fish are right up against the edge (it's 18" deep right off the bank).  Look for rocks and seams, use plenty of wight, and don't forget the thing'a'ma'bobbers.  Upstream from $3 Bridge is public access on both sides.  Downstream is public on the near side (right bank), but private downstream on the far side (left bank). 

[Forrest6775]

Thanks everyone for the info. Gonna be fun.

[Forrest6775]

What are some good spots to wade fish the Big Hole?

[Woolly Bugger]

Upstream from the $3 parking is Raynolds Pass access, I fished there 3 days a couple of years ago and had a blast... and despite conventional wisdom I nailed some big fish in the fast water deep nymphing with golden stones and diamond midges 

[jwgnc]

As WB said, Raynolds Pass is also outstanding.  Unless something has changed all the water is public at 3$.

And like the SoHo, the big fish will eat those 16s and 18s, and probaly 20s but I'm afraid to try em.  I've been OK with 5x, but prefer 4x cause these horses can run.  By the way brass beads in deep slow water attract Whitefish

AND -- you will need slots of "hydration" cause the humidity is low, but be careful - those are two beer max roads around there.