MADISON RIVER FLOWS 

West Yellowstone - 430 CFS 

Below Hebgen - 449 CFS

Kirby - 676 CFS

Varney - 894 CFS

A cold front swept through the past week or so locking up the run off and adding more snow to the high country. The next seven days are calling for sunshine and cooler overnight temps, Memorial Day Weekend weather looks glorious. Hebgen Lake continues to fill, sitting at 2.2 feet from full pond. For perspective, one year ago to this day, Hebgen Lake was 3.3 feet from full pond. A full twelve inches ahead of last year! There is still a fair amount of snow in high country yet to melt out. 

BETWEEN THE LAKES

Flows have bumped up below Hebgen the past couple of days, but not by much - 40 CFS.  Cabin and Beaver cleaned up as well and therefore, to keep the minimum required flow at Kirby, they let out a little bit of water. We really don't have much for dirty water in the system at the moment, but that could change here soon. Nymphing stone flies 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.  Regarding the Bear Closure in between the lakes - for now the river and roadway is closed from just below Campfire Lodge down to the mouth of Beaver Creek. There is a Grizzly bear on a carcass along the river, so please leave this area alone and let the bear be a bear. Give it a few days and it will likely open back up. For the most up to date info about the bear closure, please call the Hebgen Lake Ranger Station. 

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 slicks.  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 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. 

WADE SECTION

Fishing has been pretty darn good overall in the wade section. Lots of fish eating nymphs, jiggy 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.  BFE, Olive Bouface, Sparkle Minnow, Scuplin Snacks and the Swing Mint are all great streamer patterns. 

FLOAT SECTION

The float section doesn't have much for off color water at the moment. This cold front has locked the snowmelt back up for the time being.  We have been nymphing, dead drifting streamers and there are a few fish looking up along the banks and in some slicks. The river is low and boney down here, pay attention to the rocks!  Keep an eye on the stream flows from here on out as this stretch of river can blow out with warmer afternoon temps. 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.  
2. KEEP THEM WET. 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.  This is one that really needs it own blog post, just do it. 
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 if you follow this simple rule. 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. When launching your boat and taking out, be efficient, get things done and exit the ramp area. Anchor your boat on the bank when taking a break.