Apr 16, 2024

Ain't Life Grand

APRIL 2024

UPDATED 4/16/2024

These last few days have been simply gorgeous in the Madison Valley, and this week has some cooler weather in the forecast. As long as you can put up with some rain, thunder, and potential wind, everything should be fine out there! Our snowpack percentage is currently sitting at 78%. Hebgen Reservoir is 85% full with 834 CFS coming out of the dam. Discharge at Cameron is running at 1250 CFS with water temperatures breaching into the 50’s during the day. Smaller tributaries pushed in a little color over the weekend. Nymphers, streamer aficionados and dry fly purists alike can find comfort in knowing that there’s more than one way to skin the cat out on the river this time of year.

Nymphing continues to be the most productive method on the Upper. Girdle bugs, pink worms, eggs and midges have all been catching fish in deep, slow moving water. Small leech-like streamer patterns have fished well closer to town in the valley garden section. Slow, sporadic strips have triggered subtle strikes for the streamer-curious trout. Be on the lookout for brief moments of cloud coverage this weekend. The baetis dry fly fishing has been exhilarating for those willing to stick with it. Some skwala stoneflies have been seen below Valley Garden.

Our fly bins are all stocked up with new patterns from our manufacturers. Swing by the shop to see what’s working and what’s new for the 2024 season. Exercise caution as you’re wading as rainbow trout are still spawning throughout the river. You must pinch your barbs if you’re fishing anywhere between Varney Bridge and Ennis Lake. Most importantly, have some fun out there and don’t take it too seriously.

Hot Flies:

Streamers: Mayer’s Hot Head Mini Leech Olive (#14), Squirrely Little Bugger Black (#8), Jig Slum Lord Black, Slump Buster Black (#6), BH Wooly Bugger Peacock (#8).

Dry Flies: Mini Hot Mayfly Black (#18), Mini Hot Mayfly Olive (#18), Midge Adult (#18), Parachute Adams (#16), Comparadun BWO (#18).

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs Black (#6 - #8), Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee (#6 - #8), Spanish Perdigon Rodrigues Black (#16), Jig CDC Prince (#14), Jig Tungsten Pink Worm (#16), Jig San Juan Worm Wine (#14), Jig Pink Egg (#16), Hot Bead Pink Egg (#16).