Anyone been up to the Madison Lately?

[Utah DaveII]

Heading up to the Madison this afternoon to fish the Varney to Ennis Stretch. Does anyone know how this section is fishing? Are the fish eating small stuff on top or big uglies underneath?

[jdubya]

i read somewhere that the last couple of years age classess are way down 'cause WD. so this and next year are "supposed" to be the good years: after that down times until high spring flows again!

[jlo]

It's fishing fair, but with the record-breaking heat (it was 75 in Ennis yesterday) it could pick up quickly. Your best bet is to fish a big stonefly nymph trailed by smaller BHPT, micro-may, or something like that. Also, the lower by Norris could be starting with baetis soon if the weather cools.

[Utah DaveII]

I appreciate the info on the river. I've called Blue Ribbon and got a report.

Jdubya, I read that in Fly Rod and Reel too. Altough the counts are down it sounded like they were no where near as low as in the early 90's and that they don't expect the population to ever get that low again.

I've also heard that some water leases have been secured on some of the tributary streams and they should provide a little more habitat for rearing young fish.

So I don't think it was as bleak as it once was and the browns are still doing very well. I know I caught a lot of Juevinile rainbows last year in the river and saw a lot of fry in the river. so maybe it will hold up.

[jdubya]

the best thing for the Mad (and any similarly infected river) appears to be lots of cold water in the spring. The worst thing is a early warm spring and low water flow from poor snowpack. I am sure we will have both on the Mad in the years to come: will be interesting if any natural resistance builds, or in the 'bow fishery will continue to be so environmentally dependent for WD resistance and fry survival....