Madison River
Dam: 1,770 cfs
Kirby: 2,280 cfs
Varney: 3,000 cfs
The Upper Madison is looking good these days, and we’re currently holding at around 3.5 feet of visibility. Despite the improved clarity, it sounds like the fishing has been a little inconsistent over the last few days, and the fish seem to want different bugs from spot to spot. The rubber leg bite has slowed down quite a bit, but we are still picking up some nice browns on them around the faster seams. Otherwise it has been mostly caddis larva/pupa that have been doing the most damage, with baetis nymphs and midges behind that. Speaking of caddis, we are starting to see more and more of the Great Grey Spotted Sedges (#10 chocolate caddis) hatching these days, and it shouldn’t be long before most of our smaller hydropsyches begin to pop as well. Streamer fishing has been good throughout the day, but the evening bite has been excellent on olive and black sculpin imitations throughout the wade section.
