MADISON RIVER FLOWS 

West Yellowstone - 446 CFS 

Below Hebgen - 494 CFS

Kirby - 875 CFS...up 200 from last week

Varney - 1170 CFS...up almost 300 from last week

A week of warmer temps have increased snowmelt and flows from top to bottom have bumped up. This weekend looks a little sporty out there, keep an eye on the weather and bring your rain gear! Hebgen Lake continues to fill, sitting at 1.4 feet from full pond. In the last week, we gained almost a foot in the lake. 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 - 45 CFS.  Cabin and Beaver have some color in them but that might change this weekend with the rain - it could slightly clear or completely blow depending on how much it rains on the snow up high. 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 daily 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 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. 

Ghost Village Bear Closure is still in effect through June 1, 2026.  For more info please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/alerts/ghost-village-area-closure

WADE SECTION

Fishing has been solid down here, more color is coming, looking forward to that! Fish are 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 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 has some color in it from the West Fork and is on the rise every day right now. Expect this trend to continue, as the freeze and thaw is typical this time of the year.  The river is still fishable, that's for sure.  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, 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 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.
6. Rainbow Trout are STILL spawning. 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 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.