West Yellowstone - 487CFS. up, but dropping after the rail/hail storm

Below Hebgen - 1020 CFS. Double the flow from a week ago.  Great news! 

Kirby - 842 CFS.  This will change once the initial bump from Hebgen hits. Expect this to be roughly 1100 CFS tomorrow afternoon. 

Varney - 1090 CFS. This will change once the bump hits tomorrow afternoon.  Hard to say by how much, but hopefully she's flowing around 1250 at some time tomorrow. 

Lots of moisture here in the Hebgen Basin this week - we finally got some much needed rain and hail on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The mountains are white again as well!  Hebgen is FULL, I gotta say, NWE has done a great job of conserving water and filling the lake nearly three weeks early.  This might be the first time in my 27 years that Hebgen is full three weeks early.  There is still a fair amount of snow in high country yet to melt out. Keep up the rain dances, they are working.  With any luck it keeps raining and we see bigger flows for the coming weeks heading into the Salmonfly hatch.  

BETWEEN THE LAKES

Flows increased today by nearly double, likely to see another bump tomorrow morning as Hebgen is full.  Cabin and Beaver aren't that dirty, but higher with all the rain/hail/snow from the past two days. With the warmer weather arriving this weekend, those two should bump up. The fishing could be a little tough until the fish settle into their new home.  Nymphing stone flies, small bead heads or dead drifting streamers is best right now. Don't forget to carry bear spray either, by now, it should just part of one's daily attire.  

A #8 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, #14/16 Rednecks are all great choices for nymphing.  For streamers we like heavy, jiggy flies that get down quick. The Jig Zirdle, BFE, Swing Mint or Sparkle Minnow accomplish that.  

Be careful out there, carry bear spray and be aware of your surroundings. 

WADE SECTION

Fishing has been solid down here, more color is coming here at some point.  Quake is green, for now. At some point today, flows will increase from the big bump today at Hebgen.  Where you have been wade fishing will be entirely different. Fish will need to settle in, so be patient and find the softer water.  Fish are eating nymphs, jiggy streamers and a few fish up at the right time and place. 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 with jigs, Shop Vacs, Red Necks, Olive Dips, Zebra midges, Juju Baetis, 101 Stones, Two Bit Stones and  Rubber Legs.  BFE, Olive Bouface, Sparkle Minnow, Scuplin Snacks and the Swing Mint are all great streamer patterns. 

FLOAT SECTION

The float section is pretty much clear with a slight tinge of color.  It will increase today because of the increases at Hebgen. With the warmer temps forecasted, we should see some color from the West Fork at some point. To be honest (I'm always honest), the river should be chocolate milk right now.  The fact that we have been able to fish this far into June is shocking - so count your blessings. There have been some caddis and a few mayflies around bringing fish to the surface. Fishing this past week has been solid in the upper reaches, but with all the wind here lately it has not been easy down below Palisades. The fish will need to settle into the higher flows, but when they do, and if the river stays clear, the Madison will be a fun place to fish. Personally, I hope it blows out from the West Fork here soon giving the fish a break. We have been nymphing, dead drifting streamers and there are a few fish looking up along the banks and in some slicks.  Rubber legs, golden stone fly nymphs, small mayfly nymphs, caddis pupa, SJWs will all work. Fishing a chubby and a bead will also do the trick. 

 Do your part and treat the fish with respect. 

1. Pull over and release those fish on the banks.  
2. KEEP THEM WET. Leave those fish in the net to take pics, or keep them as wet as possible.  Dry hands are terrible for the fish. Try taking a slow mo video of releasing your catch 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.  This is one that really needs it own blog post, just do it. 
5. Fish heavier tippet whenever possible.

Treat those on the river with kindness and respect - you will actually catch more fish if you follow this simple rule. When pulling off the bank, give plenty of room to the boats up stream working their way down. The Madison is moving fast and most folks new to rowing a boat don't realize that 100 yards is NOT enough space. When launching your boat and taking out, be efficient, get things done and exit the ramp area. Also, please anchor your boat on the bank when taking a break. Bouncing your anchor down the river is bad form, don't be that person.