Fishing Report Upper Madison River 2-20-2016

The spring like weather we have been having has made the fish think spring. They have been getting active river wide. The entire river is in good shape to fish with the exception of Valley Garden area. This area has had some significant ice gourging this winter and there is still lots of ice shelves along the bank. The warm windy weather has us all thinking spring including the fish. We still have been having our best luck with the standard spring fare of San Juans, eggs, zebra midges and Pats rubber leg. Get them down with several split shot in some of the slowest deepest water on the river and you are sure to hook up. Once you find the fish stay right there as you can catch several out of the same spot. The bouncy shallow riffles that hold fish during the summer are empty now and concentrate on the winter deeper holding water. Dry fly midge activity is going on but the nuclear wind of the last week has kept the hatching midges relocated to someplace far far away. If you can find a day with no or little wind keep a look out for some heads and fish feeding on dry midges.