April Snow has elevated the Madison River Snow Pack

 

You know the old saying.  “April Showers bring May Flowers”?  Here in the Madison River Drainage this year it should say.  “April Snow makes August a go”.   Winter has come late to the Madison River but it showed up just in the nick of time. We are currently sitting at 95% of average on our Snow pack.   Just a month ago we were just over 70%.

Keep doing the snow dance

 

For those of you who have been doing the snow dance recently Thank You.  Keep it up.  While we are in a much better place than just a month ago we are by no means out of the woods.  After the low water and dry 2021 we could use a above average year to make up for it.  In fact Hebgan Lake is at a ver low level.  Almost 9 feet below full pool.  While 9 feet does not sound like a lot that is a bunch of acre feet of water we need to make up.  Keep up the snow dance and let’s hope for some more of the white stuff.  Mostly lets hope for a slow warm up this spring and the water we have oozing out of the mountains.

Plan for lower than average flows on the Madison this summer

While it is great we are getting this moisture we still need a bunch more.  Plan on below average river flows all summer long on the Madison River. The good news about that is dry fly fishing should be good with the shallow water as long as it stays cold.  Also it will keep most of the river open and available for wade fishing.  If your’ a drift boat guy get to know the fiberglass repair facility nearest you.  Might just need it this summer.

 

While things are looking up we could still use more moisture.  Lets hope this last round of snow gave us enough to save August and the great hopper fishing we always look forward to.  Cool wet fish are happy fish.