Madison River
Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake: 6/2/2010
Outflow from Hebgen Dam is now at around 700 CFS. Cabin Creek is still dumping a fair amount of mud into the river. Good Baetis hatches have brought a fair number of fish to the surface where there is clear water and we have had some great dry fly fishing. The nymph fishing continues to be very good. Black Lighting Bugs and Copper Johns are the most productive nymphs at the moment, but as always, a good presentation is the most important key to hooking fish.
Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge: 6/2/2010
The water is very clear in the “wade section” of the Madison, with more than two feet of visibility. Baetis hatches have been good in the afternoons, but most of the fish are eating nymphs under the surface. Golden Stones, Olive Hare’s Ears, Black Crystal Dips and Flashback Pheasant Tails have been great flies. Fishing around the banks hasn’t been as productive as doing some “adventure wading” to reach mid river pockets and drop offs. Fish in these areas have seen little angling pressure and are easier to fool than those at the river’s edge.
Lyon Bridge to Ennis: 6/2/2010
All of the boat ramps on the Madison are currently open besides Palisades. The river has decent visibility and is in good shape for floating. There aren’t many boats around and the nymph fishing has been solid. Most of our fish have come to either Silli Leg Stoneflies in #6 or Biot Golden Stones in #10-#12.
Gallatin River: 6/2/2010
The Gallatin is pretty dirty right now. Go fish the Madison instead.
Hebgen Lake: 6/2/2010
Hebgen Lake is currently a Chironomid factory. Fishing Midge Pupa in #14-16 under an indicator or on a long leader with a floating line will a rod bent in a hurry right now. Experiment with depth but it is a good idea to start fishing the flies a foot or so off the lake bottom.
Quake Lake 6/2/2010
Quake is getting pretty dirty as Cabin Creek and Beaver Creek are dumping a lot of mud. Hebgen will be a better bet until things clear up.