A Frozen End to an Unseasonably Warm February

By John Way
/ 22nd February 2022

To Ski or To Fish?

This seemed to be a question that a lot of Montanan's had to answer this past February. With multiple days reaching over 50 degrees and a less than optimal snowpack "to fish" seemed like an easy answer to this question. Warm temperatures brought in bountiful midge hatches as far as the eye could see, especially on slower moving waterways such as the Lower Madison. While nymphing was still the name of the game, dry or die souls were able to get their fix in. Even though we certainly immersed ourselves in the spoils of fishing a warm February, it does leave us with one big question. Where is all of our snow?

Pray for Snow

to ski or to fish — Business Manager Hank ski's Big Sky on a powder day

The snowpack in our mountain ranges plays a pivotal role in our ecosystem. A "deep" snowpack helps fill our lakes, prevents wildfires, and most importantly for flyfishermen, provides cool water in our waterways throughout hot summer months. Cool water supports aquatic insect life and plays a major role on the health of our wild trout. In a year predicted to be abnormally deep we are currently sitting at 85% of our average snowpack. While not awful, it is the 2nd year in a row that we are below our average snowpack. For a skier like myself, it's a tough one to swallow and an even harder one to understand. However, spring snowstorms have saved us before and they certainly can do it again. With sub zero temperatures in the forecast to close out the month, all we can do is pray for snow.

Early Spring Fishing on the Madison

If you've spent enough time around Ennis you've probably heard that spring can be a magical time on the Madison. It's true, multiple things come together to make it happen: water temperatures start to rise, rainbows start to spawn, the ice gorge starts to melt, and fish are seemingly hungry after being in a sluggish state all winter. This combo can make the next two months some of the best fishing out of the whole year. While April is by far the most consistent month in spring to fish, March can be just as good. Cold nights make fish pod up in slow moving water where they don't have to expend as much energy. Slicks behind boulders, back eddys, and inside shelves are always a good bet to find these fish. Pods as large as 300+ fish can be found on some inside bends on the Madison, making it easy picking when you're out wading. The saying "don't leave fish to find fish" is especially true this time of year.

In early march, midge's are still the name of the game; however, as temperatures start to warm blue wing olive's will begin to pop off. Proving to be one of the best times of year to throw small dries. Sub surface combos such as a tungsten lightning bug and a black zebra midge can be a deadly combo when around a pod of fish. As we go later into march the streamer bite will pick up. Especially if we see the water temps rise over 45 degrees. Olive and natural colors are a personal favorite to fish around this time; however, flashy patterns can spring plenty of reactionary grabs. Especially with large rainbows in their aggressive pre-spawn state. With spring fishing being so good, and hopefully more snow on the way. The only question you need to ask yourself in Montana is whether you want to ski, or to fish?