MADISON RIVER FLOWS - on the rise 

West Yellowstone - 594 CFS 

Below Hebgen - 699 CFS

Kirby - 931 CFS

Varney - 1360 CFS

A cold front swept through the past ten days or so locking up the run off and adding more snow to the high country which helped to clear the river - for now anyway. Sunshine and warmer temps are on the way this weekend and with that will come a bump in the tributaries.   Hebgen Lake is filling at roughly a foot per week and is sitting at 3.3 feet from pull pond.  As the snow melts, expect to see a bump in flows out of Hebgen.  

BETWEEN THE LAKES

Flows have bumped up below Hebgen the past few days, expect to see this trend continue with daytime temps on the rise.  Cabin isn't pumping too much dirty water into the system at the moment, but that will change here any day.  Nymphing or dead drifting streamers is best right now, but there could be a few fish up on BWO if you look close enough.  Don't forget to carry bear spray either, by now, it should just part of one's everyday attire. 

Jojo's BWO, Parachute Adams and BWO Sparkle Duns are great choices for small dry flies.  I always carry a standard Pheasant Tail (no bead) this time of the year to be dropped off a Parachute Adams and fished in the shallow riffles or slicks.  A #10 black rubber leg, #16 olive hot spot jig, #18 Pheasant tail, #16 serendipities, #16 Shop Vac, #16 black Zebra midges, #16 and #18 Juju Baetis are all great choices for nymphing.  For streamers we like heavy, jiggy flies that get down quick - the Jig Zirdle, BFW or Sparkle Minnow accomplish that. 

WADE SECTION

Fishing has been pretty darn good overall in the wade section. Lots of fish eating nymphs, dead drifted streamers and a few fish up at the right time and place.  Definitely be on the look out for a late morning/early afternoon BWO emergence.  I always carry a standard Pheasant Tail (no bead) this time of the year to be dropped off a dry fly and sight fished in the shallow riffles or slicks. Cover water, move quickly and then slow down when you start catching fish and pay attention to the water fish are coming out of.  Nymphing has been productive as well with jigs, Shop Vacs, Olive Dips, Zebra midges, Juju Baetis, 101 Stones, Two Bit Stones and  Rubber Legs.   Black/Olive BFE, Olive Bouface, Sparkle Minnow, Scuplin Snacks and the Thin Mint are all great streamer patterns. 

FLOAT SECTION

The float section had cleared up quite a bit during this cold front, but you should expect that to change this weekend with these warmer temps.  The West Fork just above Lyon Bridge had a solid line of mud three days ago and that will only continue to get worse this weekend.  Its just about time for the Madison below Lyons to blow out especially once the weather really warms up.  We have been nymphing or dead drifting streamers but there are a few fish looking up along the banks and in some slicks. Pay attention to the stream flows from here on out as this stretch of river is soon to be toast for a little while.   Rubber legs, golden stone fly nymphs, small mayfly nymphs, SJWs will all work. 

 Do your part and treat the fish with respect. 

1. Pull over and release those fish on the banks. Release them in slow current. 
2. KEEP THEM WET. Do you really need another picture holding a trout?  Get creative with your photos.  Leave those fish in the net to take pics, or keep them as wet as possible.  Take a slow mo video of releasing your prize back to the river. 
3. If your trout swallowed the fly, cut the tippet and leave it in there, no need to jab those hemos down it's throat and make it bleed. 
4. Fish barbless.  
5. Fish heavier tippet whenever possible.
6. Rainbow Trout are STILL spawning. If you see fish in shallow water leave them alone an let them be. Double pegged eggs really aren't a cool way to fish.

Treat those on the river with kindness and respect, you will actually catch more fish. When you pull off the bank, give plenty of room to the boats up stream working their way down.  The Madison is moving fast and most folks who are new to rowing a boat don't realize that 100 yards is NOT enough space.  Give other boats plenty of room and be cool.  When putting your boat in and taking out, be efficient, get things done and exit the ramp area.  Anchor your boat on the bank when taking a break.