First Push of Brown Water

We had a good taste of brown water over the weekend with rain and melting snow dumping in muddy water at the West Fork and Indian Creek. Water clarity mid-river is okay with 1ft-2ft of visibility, but head up above Lyon's Bridge for better clarity. Chucking and ducking towards the banks with a streamer of choice is a good option in darker water. Peanut Envy and Sparkle Minnows have had favorable results. TB black girdle bug and a red worm are a good option as well. In clearer water, baetis and caddis nymphs are a good option and don't be afraid to keep switching it up until you find a answer. Expect some good dry fly fishing in the weeks ahead with the Mother's Day caddis hatch on the horizon.

April weather recap from Tom Dimeola:

· 0.39 inches of precipitation vs the 18 year average of 1.39 inches. The lowest April total in my 18 years of records.

· Only 6 precipitation days vs the 18 year average of 11 days. The lowest April total in my 18 years of records.

· The mean low of 28.03 was 2 degrees below the 18 year average of 30.03 degrees F.

· The mean average temperature of 40.08 degrees was 2 degrees below the 18 year average of 42.08 degrees F.

· 10 degrees on April 13th was the second lowest recorded April temperature in my 18 years of record keeping. The record low in April is 8 degrees in 2018.

For the latest update, check out our Madison River Fishing Report.