MADISON RIVER FLOWS 

West Yellowstone – 356 CFS... in flows to Hebgen Lake are dropping.

Below Hebgen - 481 CFS... flows are increasing and will top out at 592 cfs by the end of today

Kirby - 659 CFS...this will increase today as well.  It takes 8 hours for flows to reach the Kirby gage.

Varney - 971 CFS.. this will increase sometime in the next 24 hours. 

Last week's snow and rain storm was welcomed by all, but we didn't see any increase in the flows from that moisture.  A few things to note:

1. Hebgen Lake is 6 inches from full pond. This is as close as we will get to filling the lake. 
2.  NWE is making 5 increases to flows today which will result in flows topping out at 592 CFS below Hebgen Dam.
3. We are getting more water in the river because inflows to Ennis Lake are dropping and NWE needs to maintain the 1100 cfs below Madison Dam. 
4. As the weather gets warmer in the coming weeks, expect more increases at Hebgen Dam.  Here soon, pulse flows for the Lower Madison will start. These pulse flows are requored to help keep Ennis Lake full and keep the Lower Madison below 80 degrees. 

BETWEEN THE LAKES

Flows are on the rise BTL, this bump could put the fish and the bugs off for a day or so, only time will tell.  Our fly selection remains relatively unchanged from last week’s report – tandem nymph rigs featuring a rubber legs and mayfly nymphs or caddis larva hung off the back will be your most productive sub surface rigs.  Patterns of choice here recently have been the 101 Stone from Cat3 or Heames’ Jig Rubberlegs in #8 or #10 paired with a #14/16 Redneck or Olive hot-spot perdigon hung below. For caddis larva and pupa - the AZ Hares Ear, Shop Vac or Blow Torch are great choices.  Not into bobber fishing?  We don't blame you. Try swinging the Blow Torch or Soft Hackle PT for some high quality grabs.  Early morning streamer fishing can produce as well right now, streamers such as the Sparkle Minnow, BFE or Bouface Leech are working before the sun hits the water.  The dry-dropper rig is as effective option these days as anything. Hang any of these nymphs two feet below a Chubby and let it roll. PMDs and caddis are the main game down there for now. 

WADE SECTION

The Wade Section continues to fish well and the word is out.  Please remember to be  courteous to your fellow angler and give others plenty of room to enjoy their day.  With these lower flows, that can be hard to accomplish right now, but it's always worth it. Getting around the river is pretty easy right now, but as these flows increase, where you wade fished yesterday might be tricky tomorrow.  Fish are hanging the their summer haunts - fast shallow riffles, soft pillows in front of boulders and edges close to the bank all have fish lurking around. Cover water quickly, slow down when you find a fish and observe the type of water said fish came out of.  Then find more of it!  A skilled nymph fisherman will pick up more fish with a stonefly and a midge, caddis larva/pupa or small mayfly nymph - but is it really about quantity?  For those of us at BSA, dry fly fishing much more satisfying!  Patterns of choice right now are as follows - Chubbies of all sizes and colors (we like #14 and #10), #16 Chubbinator, #14 Iron X Caddis, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, tan X caddis, #14 Dark Missing Link, #14 Jojo Riffle Riser, #14 Yellow Missing Link, #14 PMD Sparkle Dun, #16 Jojo PMD

FLOAT SECTION

The river is low from Lyons Bridge all the way to Ennis. With this recent flow increase from Hebgen, there will be some relief from hitting rocks all day.  The tribs in the valley are dropping fast, but are flowing cold which is a blessing during these lower than normal flows. Salmon flies and Goldens are bouncing around the river from Lyons to Ruby - there are trout looking up for those, but everyone is fishing a big bug right now as well.  The Tan Caddis, aka Hydropsyche, are in full swing and hatching daily.  Its pretty darn good fishing down there and the dry fly fishing is solid.  The dry/dropper fishing is producing and a great way to start the morning until the bugs begin to hit the water.  Think sparsely dressed, fast-sinking droppers with a big tungsten bead. We’ve got a number of gnarly, 3.8mm bead perdigons in the store that’ll do the trick — namely the Tungsten Jig Splitcase PMD in #14/16, and Roza’s Pink Hare’s Ear Jig in #14/12. Olive Hotspots, Shop Vacs, Prince nymphs, Pheasant Tail, AZ Hare's Ear, and Redneck’s in #14/16 will also fool plenty of fish.  There is no time like the present to fish dry flies. #14 Elk Hair, #16 Compara Buzz, #14/16 Chubbies, #14/16 Chubbinators are great choices. There are Big Bugs, aka Salmonflies flying, the fish have been enjoying down wing patters like the Water Walker but also want a fluttering fly from time to time.  You wont be alone, the word is def out, the hatch is easily 10 days early this year. 

If you haven't used the Fly Banjo combined with your favorite fly floatant, than you are truly missing out on the greatest little dry fly secrets there is.  

Respect the Fish 

1. Keep the fish wet at all times. 
2. Get out of the boat for fish pictures, if you need one. Take those pics quickly and get them back in the water.  
3. Release played out fish on the banks where they can safely recover. 
4. Be cool to other boats and wade anglers. Give plenty of room to other anglers. 
5. Drop anchor on or near the bank when you need to change flies or re-rig. Bouncing your anchor down the river is complete nonsense and frowned upon.