The river is flowing at a rate of 940 c.f.s. 
below the newly completed dam at Hebgen Lake and 1,030 c.f.s. down at the Kirby Ranch. It’s been a bit cold and windy lately around here but that didn’t stop our father and son clients from getting after it with Gunnar Monday in the snow and the wind with temps in the teens. They had a tough time keeping the anchor rope and fly lines clear of ice but didn’t have many issues catching fish!!
Nymphs are of course catching 
fish throughout the river with some of the best ones being princes, rubberlegs, Delektable Megaprinces, zebra midges, eggs and worms. Fish are starting to move into the deeper buckets that they’ll hold in for the winter so fish those babies low and slow. As we get further into winter they will also be in the shallow riffles so test different areas as you fish.
If you see fish eating from the surface
odds are they’re taking midges. Griffith’s gnats, CDC midges and crystal midges shouldn’t have a problem taking those fish. The best action has been in the upper wade section as usual for midge fishing.
Fish are still biting the small streamers too. Zonkers, sculpzillas, mini loops, Morrish’s sculpins and Delektable christmas trees are all good bets as long as they’re swung, dead drifted or stripped in sloooow.
Thanks again to North Western Energy for getting the dam project finished. They shared a few photos from the process.
Call or stop by the shop for any more tips or info you may need to make the most of your next day spent fishing on the Madison or surrounding lakes and streams.
Flows are steady with the last couple of weeks’ reports as the temperature will begin to drop here in the Madison Valley. Daytime highs are predicted to be all over the board this week between about 30 and 50 degrees.
Flows are holding steady at 930 c.f.s. below Hebgen, 1020 at Kirby and 1140 c.f.s. down at Varney. The fly selection has been a little untypical for this time of year but if you can crack the code the fishing has been good. It’s looking like a mild week for this time of year coming up with daytime highs well into the 60’s so get out there and enjoy it!
Under the surface fish are eating things like Zebra Midges, RS2’s, Pat’s Rubberlegs in smaller sizes, small Delektable Big Spankers, Copper Johns and Princes. They’ll take those under a bobber or with a tight line which can be a little better for hooking them in some of the boulder pools.
Streamers are fishing well throughout the upper river. Make sure to swing some flies in front of the boulders as well as behind, we’ve seen a lot of fish holding in front of the rocks. Olive/black and white Delektable Screamers have been great flies as well as Circus Peanuts, McCune’s sculpins, Morrish sculpins and Sculpzillas.
