Madison River
Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake: 2/19/09
As we head into our true “winter” fishing season on the Madison, it is important to remember to dress warmly and be safe out there. 20 degree weather and water at near freezing temps are no joke! As there are few anglers on the river these days, it is also important to give the few fishers one does encounter plenty of room. No one goes fishing in miserable weather to stand in a crowd, especially when there is so much river that is free of angler traffic for days at a time. Flows out of Hebgen Dam are around 975 CFS. This is a little more water than the last few winters and should make for good winter fishing on the Madison. We’ve had good fishing between the lakes with Pheasant Tails, Midge Larva, San Juan Worms and Serendipities. Long dead drifts are the key to success in the winter once fish are found. Trout are predictably located in slow water where they use little energy fighting the current. Slicks, pools and drop offs provide the current breaks the trout need to survive. Remember that the river below Cabin Creek is accessible only by over snow travel. Ski’s or snowshoes make life a lot easier than post holing.
Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge: 12/26/2009
The “wade section” of the Madison has seen the bulk of our attention so far this winter as it has been fishing pretty well. While nymphs have consistently dredged up fish, our dry fly fishing has been hit or miss to the winter midge hatches. Some days have been pretty good, and others have left us wondering where the fish are at. When the wind stays at bay, one can normally find some fish feeding on the surface though. When the midges or trout aren’t being cooperative nymph up fish or swing sculpin patterns. Both methods have worked well. Concentrate your efforts on slow water and make sure to get quality presentations.
Lyon Bridge to Ennis: 12/26/2009
Down towards Ennis the Madison has been pretty icy, but it can fish well in the afternoons on warm sunny days. We generally prefer to stay upriver where the wind is a little less severe.
Gallatin River: 12/26/09
Water temps on the Gallatin are super cold and the fish aren’t incredibly active, but they can certainly be caught. Downstream of Snowflake Springs to the Tayor’s Fork and the Canyon stretch downstream of Big Sky have the most ice free water. Nymphing is the ticket right now. When fish are as lethargic as Gallatin trout are right now, finding the right water it the key to getting hook ups. Deep pocket water may hold a lot of fish, but it is difficult to sink the flies and keep them dead drifting long enough to interest very lazy fish. Shallower flats with slow water are often much more productive and this time of year they have a lot of fish wintering in them. Many nymph patterns can work well this time of year. Getting a long slow dead drift and fishing an indicator set up that allows one to detect very subtle takes is much more crucial than the “right” fly.
Hebgen Lake: 12/26/09
Ice fishing in Hebgen is getting going. If sitting on a bucket and staring into an 8 inch hole on a wind swept lake in zero degree weather is your thing, than more power to you.
Quake Lake 12/26/09
Where running water flows into Quake anglers can find ice free H2O. Surprisingly, these places often collect midging fish in the winter. If the dries aren’t happening, head to moving water.