Madison River
Dam: 2,490 cfs
Kirby: 3,240 cfs
Varney: 4,900 cfs
Good reports keep coming in from the wade section, and the word seems to have finally gotten out, as we are starting to see “more” people out on the river this week, but the crowds are still slim compared to what we’ll see in a couple of weeks or so. All the creeks are still putting in a lot of mud, but the clarity is still in that 12-16 in. range above the West Fork of the Madison. Streamer fishing has been fair to excellent, depending on the day, but the nymph bite is still going strong. Top producers have been Brown/Black warbirds, #10 pats stone in tan/brown, red and pink san juans, purple lightning bugs in #16 and #18, #16 red copper johns, #18-20 Baetis nymphs/emergers, #16-18 $3 dips, and red crystal serendipitys. When the clouds have moved in, black sex dungeons or olive peanut envys have been the top streamer patterns that we’ve been throwing… Just make sure to cover plenty of water and work the slower banks and pockets as best you can before moving on.
