High water reigns supreme on the Madison and Gallatin drainages. Most small streams are high and many discolored as the cool, wet weahter slows run-off. Big nymphs can work on the Madison below Quake Lake. Try to find quieter water, like behind rocks. Midging is the most effective way to fish Hebgen Lake. Also try streamers and wooly buggers from boats and shorelines.
Most crowded location is on the Madison River from Hebgen Dam to Cabin Creek because of good fishing and easy access. To get away from here, try still waters such a Hebgen Lake with its early and late day midge emergences and streamer fishing. Cliff Lake is slowing as fish move away from the shallows, but streamers presented deep in Wade Lake remain effective. Cool, overcast weather helps keep fishing success going on all of these.
Anglers have caught on to the fact that the Madison River between Hebgen Dam and Cabin Creek has some of the best fishing in Montana. So this part of the river is becoming quite crowded. The river below Quake Lake is a bit discolored, but San Juan worm, streamer, and big nymph patterns will produce some results. Hebgen Lake AM & PM midge emergences are bringing action. The Gallatin below the Taylor’s Fork confluence is discolored and poor fishing. Try slump busters on Cliff Lake and big woolly buggers on Wade Lake.
The Madison river from Hebgen Dam to Cabin Creek remains good fishing for those pitching big nymphs and streamers. The river below Quake Lake will be good fishing until discolored water from Quake Lake gets in. Try bead head nymphs, San Juan worms, BWO and caddis life cycle patterns. The north shore of Hebgen is a good bet for those presenting streamers and wooly bugger types. The Gallatin River is high and discolored.
North shore of Hebgen Lake is producing for those presenting streamer and leech patterns just off shorelines. The Madison River from Hebgen Dam to Cabin Creek is fishing well for those presenting big stonefly nymphs. Quake Lake is coloring up becuase of run-off from Cabin and other creeks.
Fish Clark Canyon Reservoir deep with midge patterns, and the result will be some big browns and ‘bows. Streamers and wooly bugger types are less effective there for now. The Beaverhead fished very well opening weekend, but flow out of Clark Canyon has been increased. So fishing will slow for a few days, then return with streamers and leech patterns. The upper Madison River fished well opening weekend. Rubberlegs with a serendipity dropper was the taking combination. San Juan worms always work here this time of the season. Fish the Hebgen Lake shorelines with leech, wooly bugger and streamer patterns for the best action.
Montana general fishing season opens this Saturday. The Madison River is fishing well from Hebgen Dam to the Cabin Creek confluence above Quake Lake for those fly fishers presenting nymphs and streamers. The Gallatin River is high and discolored. The Beaverhead River will open Saturday for fishing from Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ Bridge. Look for streamers and nymphs to work well.
Hebgen Lake is now mostly ice-free. Try woolly buggers and streamers around the north shoreline. The Madison River above Cabin Creek below Hebgen Dam is fishing well for those presenting nymphs or streamers. Clark Canyon reservoir is fishing well. During mornings fish shorelines and in 5-10 feet of water. Use midge pupa patterns. Later in the day fish move to deeper water. When the lake becomes choppy because of wind, switch to streamers presented deep.
General fishing season opens Saturday, May 16th. Hebgen Lake remains frozen solid with snow on the ice.
The Madison between Hebgen and Quake lakes is open to fishing year round. Right now it is fishing well from Hebgen Dam to Cabin Creek with a bit above normal water flow. Nymphs on the bottom are bringing action. Cabin Creek is putting in run-off that discolors the river down to Quake Lake slowing fishing there. The River between McAtee and Ennis bridges is open to fishing with nymphs, BWO & caddis life cycle patterns, San Juan worm types and midge emergers producing.
The Beaverhead River is open to fishing below Pipe Organ Bridge with flows about two-thirds of normal. Some Mother’s Day caddis activity remains, and presenting nymphs and streamers along the bottom produces. During overcast or low light conditions look for afternoon activity from BWOs.
Brrrr! The Madison is fishing quite well, but dress warmly as early AM temps are getting closer to zero in Deg. F. Count on ice in the guides for a while. Streamers and bead head nymphs will be the best choices.