Soft Hackle Patterns for Madison & Firehole

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I'm still hoping to make our first trip to MT in September. It would be a 2-part trip with 7 nights in Missoula and then 4 nights in Gardiner. The Madison and Firehole are on the list of rivers to fish during the 2nd part. Is anyone, with experience fishing these waters, willing to share the soft hackle patterns and sizes that were effective for you?

Thanks- Ken

[Roadkill]

For the Firehole you can't go wrong having the Blue Ribbon Flies White Miller Soft Hackle
B0061804 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

https://www.blueribbonflies.com/how-to/ ... ft-hackle/

and Partridge and Orange in #16 & 18s with a fine copper rib. A Lighting Bug Soft Hackle works well for me too.viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3673&p=43316&hilit= ... kle#p43316

On the Madison if the fish are running out of Hebgen Lake, Blue Ribbon has several others as well. Their Shakey Beeley is a good one that I sub out with my own October Caddis Soft Hackle (scroll down viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9053&p=101230&hilit ... is#p101230) or Electric Soft hackle in orange (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7818&p=88856&hilit= ... kle#p88856) or my Baker's Hole SH ( viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8728&p=97735#p97735)

Check in with their shop and other in town before you go.

[letumgo]

Ken,

You should also touch base with Jim Slattery. Jim can definitely provide guidance on effective patterns for the Madison and Firehole area, as well as Hebgen Lake/Earth Quake Lake areas.

I'd highly recommend trying Jim's "Triple Threat Caddis" imitation.

https://www.flytierspage.com/jslattery/ ... caddis.htm



Absolutely deadly pattern...

You can find many of Jim's patterns listed here: https://www.flytierspage.com/jslattery/jslattery.htm

I would also recommend trying to get your hands on a copy of Sylvester Nemes book called "Soft Hackle Imitations". One of my favorite books on soft hackle patterns, and one that provides useful guidance on fishing the Yellowstone area.

[narcodog]

So I have fished the Madison and the Firehole every years for the last 10 years in Sept. To Sept still has dry flies but for soft hackles. This what I fish, Ellis Hatch's hatching pupa, it is an awesome fly. Soft hackle October caddis in size 10. As was stated the white miller is a must for the Firehole.

Early in the morning is trico time after the beatis hatch. There also some sedges(tan) that are very prolific on certain days.

Unless the temps drop considerably the run ups don't really start until late in Sept. I'm not sayin that they aren't there but they can be finicky.

[letumgo]

Bob - Is this the same pattern you mentioned?

[Roadkill]

Here is a link to the IBF White Miller Soft Hackle I tied when we had the Flymph Forum Rendezvous there in 2014. It has proven effective for me since then on the Firehole.

B0061801 by William Lovelace, on Flickr


viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5755

[narcodog]

Ray that's it

[Roadkill]

narcodog,

Great looking pattern, one I have to tie!!

[joaniebo]

Try this:

[Variant]

Parks Fly Shop has a video on tying the white miller soft hackle, easy to tie and very effective.
Lou