May 5, 2015 Fishing is off to an early and robust start on the Madison. An unusually mild winter has supercharged the early season and with expected minimal runoff due to the low snow pack and continued unseasonably warm weather we may have an early salmon fly hatch in 2015. Even better news is the most recent biologist data which shows this years' average size and number of trout in the Madison is improving and near historic highs, notably for rainbows in the upper sections and browns in the Varney section.
Northwestern Energy indicated in an April 28th public meeting in Ennis that Hebgen repairs will not be completed until 2016 season but projected confidence in regulating flows within their FERC license conditions to maintain the fishery even in what is shaping up to be, by their estimation, the 9th worst water conditions of the last 100+ years on the Madison. NWE has been reserving early runoff to accommodate the expected low water conditions later this season, and we expect that the Madison's tangible advantage over most Montana rivers, e.g. stable and predictable flows with moderate temperature fluctuation, will hold true particularly in this drought year.
Our early season anecdotal evidence supports the biologist results, i.e. we are catching larger browns in the Varney section than last year and BWO, mayfly, and blizzard like caddis hatches point to what should be an outstanding 2015 fishing season on the Madison.
Thanks for stopping by. Montana holds a very special place in our hearts. We will share with you our riverside reflections and our tips on things to do in Montana. Leave us a comment or let us know what we can post to help you plan a trip to this special place!
