June 25, 2008

The flow of the Madison is 2,740 CFS and rising: Upper Madison Flow at Cameron. Hebgen Conservation Pool is 99% full. PPL plans to increase the flows out of Hebgen to match the inflows over the next several days. With the very hot weather predicted for this weekend and with all the input from the West Fork and the creeks, the flow below Indian Creek may well approach or exceed 5,000 CFS before the major part of the melt is over.

These high flows and the mud from the West Fork and Indian Creek have made fishing very difficult below the West Fork. These conditions have markedly increased the fishing pressure above the West Fork, where the fishing remains good to excellent.

Once this runoff subsides– probably in early July– the fly fishing on the Upper Madison is going to be spectacular–especially the dry fly fishing.

There is some dry fly action above the West Fork with little yellow sallies and big caddis. Once the bug hatch starts on the float section, which is just days away, the dinner bell will ring and we’ll be able to catch fish again, even in the dirt. Once we get the mixture of PMDs, caddis, and stoneflies, the float section of the Upper Madison is going to bust loose. But we’re all waiting for that to happen now. Once it happens, it’s going to be good all summer.

The streamer fishing is spotty.

Recommended Flies

To see the Delektables™ go to: Delektable Flies Gallery

Nymphs:
Delektable™ Hurless Olive, Gray #6, #8; Delektable™ Mega Prince #6, #8; Pat’s Rubberleg Brown #6,#8; Delektable Big Red #6, Delektable Worm, Red or Brown #8; Red Wire Worm #6, #8; Hogan’s Red Headed Step Child; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red and Silver #16, #18; Tungsten Beadhead Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle #16,#18

Delektable Lil’ Spanker

Riverborn Fly Company www.riverbornflies.com

Delektable Braided Flashback Big Red

Riverborn Fly Company www.riverbornflies.com

Dries :

Nothing now in the float section, but when it starts, or now above the West Fork: PMDs, Little Yellow Sallies, Caddis–with the caddis varying all the way from size 8 to 16, in dark brown, olive, and tan.

Streamers (might be worth a try) :

Delektable Screamer Olive Black, Olive and Yellow, Single and Double, #6, or your favorite pattern.

Delektable Screamer Olive Black

Riverborn Fly Company www.riverbornflies.com

Dan Marty Nancy Brad

June 18, 2008

The flow of the Madison is 2,390 CFS and rising: Upper Madison Flow at Cameron. The warm weather of the last few days has started the melt again, with the West Fork and Indian Creek spitting in mud. The muddy strip from the West Fork is still well defined at the Sun West bridge and then colors the entire river by the Wolf Creek bridge. Temperatures are predicted to reach the high 80s by Saturday.

All this has resulted in real crowding at Lyons. Dan planned to launch at Lyons today and found himself 14th in line, so he went from Raynolds to Pine Butte instead. The water was crystal clear and the action was great on big nymphs. Marty floated today from Lyons to Ruby, with Grandpa and Gene. They had excellent results with the Delektable Lil’ Spanker, in red and in silver, even over near the left bank below Lyons, in the discolored water.

Once this runoff subsides– in late June or early July– the fly fishing on the Upper Madison is going to be spectacular–especially the dry fly fishing.

There is no dry fly action, but this heat may change that quickly.

The streamer fishing has become spotty, with the recent drop in flow, the sunny days, and the cold water coming into the river mid-day from the melt.

Recommended Flies

To see the Delektables™ go to: Delektable Flies Gallery

Nymphs:

Delektable™ Hurless Olive, Gray #6, #8; Delektable™ Mega Prince #6, #8; Pat’s Rubberleg Brown #6,#8; Delektable Big Red #6, Delektable Worm, Red or Brown #8; Red Wire Worm #6, #8; Hogan’s Red Headed Step Child; Delektable Lil’ Spanker Red and Silver #16, #18; Tungsten Beadhead Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle #16,#18

Delektable Lil’ Spanker