The Madison River in Runoff Mode Right Now
Currently the Madison River is in runoff mode. The creeks are all pumping mud from the high country snow melt and the dam is increasing flow every day. We were blessed for the late spring and lots of moisture. Three months ago the Hebgan Dam was forecast not to fill this year. Now they should have it full this week. While this is good news for the summer flows and cold water currently the options are limited. With the increased flows on the Madison River safety is something to be concerned with. The areas you wade fished last week will look totally different now. Also the floating is getting a little western. Currently, the flows are not high enough to make the low bridges a concern but soon they will. With the increased flows out of the dam the low bridges will become dangerous very soon. If you now an experienced rower please be careful.
Still Fishing to be had even at high water
There are still fish to catch if you know the spots. For cleaner water think above the West Fork of the Madison. You will have decent visibility currently. Also think below Ennis Dam and on the Lower Madison. Sooner or later the mud will work across Ennis Lake and make the Lower a mess as well but for now we are good. If fishing the Lower Madison we have been hearing reports of dry dropper with a golden stone and a psyco prince being the go to set up.
Salmon Flies on the Horizon
We are getting the same call at the store ten times a day. Are there salmon flies year and when do you expect them. Well, no salmon flies year. With the cold wet spring we feel a late start to the hatch this year. I am saying on the 24 there will be salmon flies at the Ennis Bridge. We still have a few weeks to go before the epic fishing but it is close. Remember currently the salmon fly nymphs are making their way from the center of the river to the banks in anticipation of hatching. This migration makes them easy food for trout and the fish will start to key on the banks. As the water comes up more and the salmon fly nymphs move the fish will line up on the bank. This will give a target to fish. Soon we will see some epic fishing hold on tight and get ready.