Madison River Flows:

After a reduction in flows the past couple weeks and then Monday's 24 hour deluge, Northwestern Energy bumped up the flows on Wednesday. Hebgen Lake is now 1.45 feet from full pond, which is nearly a month early! There’s still plenty of fishable water while we wait for peak runoff, with 41 inches of snow (16 inches of Snow Water Equivalent) remaining at the Carrot Basin Snotel Site, runoff still has a ways to go. As weather improves, we can expect to lose a couple inches of snow from the peaks each day. But if things stay cool and wet, we just might get a slow drip of the remaining snow pack in the high country. 

Below Hebgen: 1160 cfs

Kirby: 1710 cfs

Varney: 2750 cfs

Between the Lakes

Fishing below the dam has been productive for those willing to wade.  Visibility has been gradually reduced on the right bank after every afternoon rainstorm we’ve seen in the last week. Cabin and Beaver Creeks are pumping in mud but that can clear up in just a few of days if the rain stops and nighttime temps cool down. Once we see more consistent warm weather, we expect visibility to likely get worse before it gets better. With that being said, those fish are still willing to eat your biggest Rubber Legs or Bouface Leech if you can get it in front of them. Smaller nymphs (Shop Vacs, Bullet Quill Jigs, Serendipities, Roza's Pink Hare's Ear) trailed behind either of those two larger flies will produce as well. 

Wade Section

While the river is still off color, for the time being, it is NOT blown out - at Reynold's Pass the river is green. Those bigger fish can be tucked up tight to the banks, short leashing a couple of nymphs or fishing a chubby and a long dropper is a great way to cover the water. Flies that we suggest for the wade section are - Arizona Hares Ear, Jig Pheasant Tail, Red Neck, Hoover Black or 101 Stone. Since the river is green right now, don't be afraid to fish smaller nymphs like Bullet Quills, Jig Napoleans or Pheasant Tails. Don't forget - put extra consideration into wading cautiously as we approach peak runoff. Even experienced anglers take the occasional (unintended) dip into the Madison while it’s still a balmy 51 degrees.  This is not the time of the year to go for a swim! 

Float Section

With the recent rains this week, the West Fork has blown out. The left bank below Lyons Bridge is pretty muddy and by the time one gets to Palisades, the river is muddy all the way across. Down in Ennis, it has mixed in pretty well and the river is fishable. However, that lower section would not be our first choice for float fishing. Nymph fishing with a Rubber Legs, 101 Stone, or Thin Mint followed up with smaller beadheads like a Red Neck or a SJW should produce some decent fishing.  Be sure to stock up on streamers for this time of year as well. Those better quality fish will be tucked up tight to the edges of the river, and can be more than willing to crush a big meal that swims by them on the right day. Mini Dungeons, BFE’s, Sculpin Snacks or a Thin Mint are all great options for enticing pickier fish tucked up under the banks. Warmer afternoons may give us some intermittent BWO’s, so keep an eye out during the heat of the day for some dry fly action if you’re looking to switch things up a bit. Think Sparkle Dunns or a Hi-Viz BWO spinner. The Madison is shaping up for a great season, and there’s great fishing yet ahead!