Madison River
Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake: 6/16/09
Flows between the lakes have been a consistent 740 CFS for some time. Nymph fishing has been good in this stretch of the Madison. Covering likely water with a #16 Red Headed Step Child, Olive Serendipity or BWO Soft Hackle under an indicator has been getting the job done with the Madison River’s trout. Fishing hasn’t been rocket science lately, as fish are hanging out in their normal haunts, waiting for the right drift to come along.
Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge: 6/16/09
Long dead drifts fished with small nymphs have been the key to finding catches in the wade section of the Madison. This time of year, it pays to start being stealthy, wading a little more quietly and making the first drift through a run or a good pocket- the fish just aren’t stupid anymore. #18-20 Olive Pheasant Tails, #16 Shop Vacs and #18 Olive Micro Mayflies are some of the better nymphs at the moment. A few fish are rising to Baetis in flat water pools in the river. These fish can be tough, but at times it is worth pulling of the indicators and rigging up a dry. Pounding up fish on attractor style flies isn’t the most productive use of time, but yields may be delivered to the patient angler.
Lyon Bridge to Ennis 6/16/09
The float section of the Madison has decent visibility and is low enough for good fishing. Small nymphs seem to be out producing larger patterns. We’ve had our best luck on Copper Johns and Black Crystal Dips in #16-18. Good dry fly fishing is still a few weeks off, but some fish can be seduced to the surface.
Gallatin River: 6/16/09
Big and dirty water is still the norm on the Gallatin. The river has come up significantly from all of the rain we’ve had, pushing visibility to the limits of what can be productive for nymph fishing.
Hebgen Lake 6/16/09
Hebgen has been fishing well. Calm afternoons have made for pretty good bobber fishing with Chironomids later in the day. However, seek the wind riffled water when the lake is dead calm because a little chop can make those bugs dance just right. We’ve also had some memorable fish come to Leeches fished on a slow sinking line. Calm evenings see a good number of fish rising as the last light of day fades. The fish are starting to be a little more methodical in their feeding, as opposed to eating one bug then heading back down to the depths. Crawling midge Pupa or Prince Nymphs at rising fish is generally more successful than trying to feed them dries. However, a well placed Adams can occasionally fool surface feeding trout on Hebgen.
Quake Lake 6/16/09
Quake has a few feet of visibility and there are even a few fish eating midges in the evenings. Buggers and Zonkers are still the best way to find fish.