Varney Bridge Accesson Madison River
River flow last 30 days
October Caddis (Dry) #10: An essential fall dry
- 01October Caddis (Dry) #10: An essential fall dry, matching the large caddis active this month. Fish it tight to the banks for aggressive takes.
- 02Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun #20: Crucial for selective trout rising to intermittent BWO hatches. Focus on softer water.
- 03Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs #8: A proven weighted stonefly nymph for getting deep, mimicking the active 'little golden stones' subsurface.
- 04Woolly Bugger (Olive) #6: Perfect for prospecting deeper runs; this streamer entices aggressive fall browns by imitating leeches and baitfish.
- 05Zebra Midge #20: A year-round producer, crucial when hatches are sparse, imitating abundant midge pupae for picky fish.
What to tie on at Varney Bridge Access
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Chubby Chernobyl
Regional intelligence indicates aggressive takes on large foam dries and attractor patterns, making this an excellent high-floating terrestrial imitation for opportunistic feeders.
Morrish Hopper
Terrestrial activity is at its peak during late July and early August, with regional reports highlighting hoppers as a top producer. This pattern is perfect for summer bank fishing.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
A proven weighted stonefly nymph for getting deep, mimicking active 'little golden stone' nymphs which are a consistent food source in fall.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Crucial for selective trout rising to consistent BWO hatches, especially on overcast days, as noted in regional reports and seasonal context.
Buy at AmazonPat's Rubber Leg
A year-round staple on the Madison River, this heavy stonefly nymph is excellent as a lead fly in a nymph rig, helping to get smaller droppers into the strike zone and imitating the large stoneflies active in the currents.
Copper John
Featured in regional hopper-dropper recommendations, the Copper John is a highly effective attractor nymph, ideal for prospecting deeper runs and faster water sections.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
As fall progresses, larger brown trout become aggressive. This versatile streamer is perfect for prospecting deeper runs, imitating leeches and baitfish.
Yellow Sally
Regional signals confirm active Yellow Sally stonefly hatches. These abundant insects are a prime target for trout looking for surface food on the Madison River.
Buy at AmazonPMDs (Pale Morning Duns)
Regional reports consistently mention PMDs. August is prime time for this significant mayfly hatch, with fish keying in on both emergers and adults.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.