Run Off on the Madison River

The high water has arrived and we are in run off mode here on the Madison River.  We are currently sitting at about 1700CFS at Kirby.  The folks at the dam will increase flows on the 25 of May significantly.  They are planning on a flushing flow to coincide with the peak of run off.  The will increase flows out of the lake to 3500 CFS at the Kirby Place and hold it there for several days then bring it down.  This entire process will take about 10 days because they can not add or subtract from flows very much in a single day.

Its Getting Big

Hang tight guys this thing is going to get big.  Currently the bridges at the upper end are almost un-runable and will shortly be.  Our hard and fast number for the Wolf Creek Bridge is 2100 CFS.  Please be careful and do not attempt to run this any higher than it is now.   This bridge eats several boats every year and it is only a matter of time and someone will get hurt bad.  Stay off the river floating while it is above the 2K level.  Its is not worth it.   If you want to fish there are some good options.  The wade fishing upstream of the west fork of the Madison is really good right now.  Think rubber legs and other big stone fly stuff along with streamers. The key is keeping it in the first two feet of the bank.  If your feet are wet you are where the fish are.  Stay back from the bank and just toss it along the edge.   It is amazing how many fish are stacked right along the bank when this river gets big. We also get some really big fish this time of year only feet from the bank.

When Will Big Bugs Arrive

Salmon flies are on everyone’s mind.  Keep that thought as they are still weeks away.  We are guessing some time around the 20^th of June for good salmon fly fishing.  We will keep you posted.   Lots of new gear arriving daily at the store and available in the cyber world.  Stop by the store in Ennis and chat we love to talk fishing .