FIVE FEET HIGH AND RISIN'
JUNE 2024
UPDATED 6/06/2024
Rising flows and muddy water continue to meander through the Madison Valley. Flows have jumped up substantially over the past few days. The river is currently sitting at 3050 CFS at Cameron, 1860 CFS at Kirby and 1200 CFS coming out of Hebgen. This weekend we will be seeing air temps in the mid to low 80’s so expect to see flows continue to rise. As of now the upper wade stretch is still holding some clarity and is your best bet for productivity. The West Fork is pumping in mud so if you plan on floating down from Lyons bridge expect a split river with a muddy river right and a green river left most of the way down to Palisades. Expect to see heavy boat traffic there as it is one of the few float options that is still worthwhile right now.
That being said, there are still fish to be caught out there! The fish are there and eating it’s just a matter of getting your fly in front of them. Per usual with high water, most of the fish are holding in the soft pockets tight to the bank or behind some of the larger boulders. Fishing subsurface is going to be most productive. A #4 or #6 black rubber legs with either a worm or #14 prince dropper has been the go-to rig. Black and olive streamers fished tight to the bank have been producing some nice fish as well. Buggers, Peanut Envy’s, Trevor sculpin and leech patterns are great options to be throwing right now. The caddis are out and about but don’t expect to see many fishing coming up to the dry due to the water clarity. If you are getting out there over the next few days remember to lower your expectations, fish hard and you just might be surprised!
Please keep an eye on the gauges throughout runoff. It is not safe to run a drift boat or raft between Lyons and Palisades when flows exceed 1700 CFS at the Kirby gauge. As always our shop in downtown Ennis is stocked to the brim with flies so don't be afraid to swing by and check them out for yourself. Also feel free to swing by the shop for a more in-depth and up to date fishing report or general fishing advice. Just a reminder as well it is now barbless hooks only from Varney bridge to the Lake so pinch those barbs. Enjoy the warm weather this weekend and be safe out there!
Streamers: White Screamer #6, Cheech Leech Fall, Mini Dungeon Barred Yellow, Mini Dungeon Olive, Silk Kitten Tan, Dungeon Cream, Trevor's Sculpin Natural, Jig Slum Lord Black, Slump Buster Black (#6), BH Wooly Bugger Peacock (#8).
Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis Olive (#16 - #18), Johnson's Mimic May BWO (#18), Mini Hot Mayfly Black (#18), Mini Hot Mayfly Olive (#18),Tilt Wing Dun BWO (#18), Parachute Adams (#16), Comparadun BWO (#18),
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs Black (#6 - #8), Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee (#6 - #8), Hogan S&M Nymph Olive (#16), Spanish Perdigon Rodrigues Black (#16), Jig CDC Prince (#14), Jig Tungsten Pink Worm (#16), Jig San Juan Worm Wine (#14).
- MTS Guide John Kelley
