Madison River

Dam: 1,250 cfs

Kirby: 1,330 cfs

Yup, it’s winter out there.  Water temps between the lakes continue to drop, and its currently holding at around 42.5 degrees.  You’ll find a little warmer water around the West Fork at mid-day, but only by a degree or two.  What does this mean for the streamer fishing?  First off, slow down your retrieves a little– the browns have become a little more sluggish, but are still willing to eat.  Second, work prime holding areas a little more than usual, as we have been picking up fish on the second and even third cast over the last few days.  We’ve been getting off work around 4:00 and fishing until 30 min. after dark with good success most days.  Not much in the way of colors have changed– olive and black in low light conditions, and tan and brown & yellow when the sun has been out (though we’ve done well on olive in the sun too).  Nymph fishermen (fisherpeople to be PC) continue to do well on small red and black midges, micro mayflies, rubberlegs, and eggs, but I would wait until at least 10:00 a.m. if you’re planning on running an indicator.