Tag: Madison River

August 8th-August 14th | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Hoppers, o’ Hoppers where for art thou??? We may not see you, but the fishermen have been creating the hatch and the Fish have been starting to eat!! They seem as anxious as we are for the hatch to kick in fully! The most consistent action has been seen between McAtee Bridge to Ennis, however later this week the Fish have been starting to swipe at the Hopper up to Windy Point!

Temperatures have been in the high 80’s-low 90’s this week, we have seen some reprieve from the heat with afternoon/evening rain showers and cooling nightly temps. The river flows have continued to drop this week 1,350cfs at Kirby and 1,500cfs at Cameron at the beginning of the week dropping to 1,200cfs at Kirby and 1,330cfs at Cameron by the end the week.

Dry fly fishing has been coming on stronger during the day with  Ants, Beetles, and some Hoppers, Nocturnals and Caddis have been the hits this week. Streamers with a Dropper fished with a nymphing set up (strike indicator) and completed dead drifted and tight lined have also been very productive. Nymphing has been productive especially if you switch your manner of presentation, with some days great for dragging, while others are best with a perfect float. As fishing can be so drastically different from day to day, switching your flies often (if not getting action) and changing your presentation and location on the River Center to banks and back can help produce high catch days and big smiles!!

Dries: Grillo’s Hippie Stopper Royal, Purple #16-#18, Transparent Ant Black/Red #16, Delektable Flying Ant Purple #16, Delektable Sparkle Bug Olive, Tan #16-#18, Fat Frank Peach #14, Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #12-#16, Micro Water Walker Pink #14-#16, Royal Wulff Cripple #14-#16, Parachute Adams #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Rose/Gray, Tan/Brown, Purple #14-#16.

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Gold, Silver #14-#16, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten Big Spanker Red Headed #16, BH Mo’ River Pheasant Tail #16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, BH Serendipity Rainbow, Dark Olive #14-#16.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive, Black #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Shelia Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8, Silk Kitty Olive #6.

August 2nd-August 7th | Upper Madison Fishing Report

As of August 2nd, Hoot Owl have begun from 8-Mile Fishing Access to Ennis Reservoir. This means fishing from 2PM to Midnight in this area is prohibited.

Fishing is hot and cold these days with the temps changing but fishing is always better than another day at work! 🙂 Conditions have been changing this week with the temperatures cooling from the mid 90’s the week prior to mid to high 80’s most of the week with a dramatic shift on Friday & Saturday to mid 70’s to mid 60’s and a massive rainstorm, additionally the “W” Factor in the Valley has returned with the incoming weather! To add to the changes this week NorthWestern Energy raised flows the end of last week to combat the rising temperatures, which has been successful into this week, and while you may have been rocking in the middle River last week you may want to stick to the banks as the fish tend to migrate to the slower water! The river flows this week started at 1,650cfs at Kirby and finished the week at 1,370cfs; at Cameron the week started with 1,890cfs and dropped down to 1,570cfs by the end of the week.

 

 

 

 

 

With the warmer temperatures this week fishing has been best in the early morning with Streamers (especially with a dropper), Nocturnals, Midges, and Tricos. During Mid-day there has been some action with a Chubby, Hopper, Ant or Beetle pattern. Nymphing has still been the most productive means of fishing throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

 

For the future we will continue to see warmer temperatures for the next few weeks with the promise of rain in the evenings! At Beartooth Flyfishing to adjust to the current weather conditions, our store hours will be 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM for the next few weeks!!

Nymphs: Pat’s Mr. Rubberlegs Olive/Brown, Black, Orange/Brown #6-#8, Geppert’s Mega Emerger #16-#18, Delektable Guide Stone Black/Brown, Olive/Brown #8-#10, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6-#8, Delektable Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Halo Olive, Silver, Pheasant Tail #16-#18, Formerly Known As Prince #14-#16, BH Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Silver #16, Delektable Tungsten BH Big Spanker Warrior #14-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, Three Dollar Dip (GB) Crystal, Brown #6, Geppert’s Crystal Dip Brown #16, Glassy Brassy Zebra Midge #20.

 

Dries: Hi-Vis Pink Thunder Thighs Hopper #14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Panty Dropper Hopper Pink #12-#14, Bloom’s Stealth Ant Purple #14-#16, Parachute Adams Sparkle Purple #14-#16, Micro Water Walker Peanut #14-#16, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#18, Delektable Halo Royal #14, Delektable Lil’ Chubby UV Tan, Royal, UV Cinnamon, UV Rainbow #14-#18, Delektable Chubbyness Rootbeer, Olive/Brown, UV Cinnamon #14-#16, Fat Frank Peach #14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan, Purple Cinnamon, Holo Olive #14-#18, Snowshoe Trico #20, Etha-Wing Trico Black #20.

Streamers: Yo’ Dali Llama Olive/White #6, Trevor’s Sculpin Natural/Olive #4, Sculpzilla Black, Olive/Tan #8, Slump Buster Squirrel/Gold #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Olive #6, Articulated Bugger Olive/Black #8, Sheila Sculpin #4, Delektable SS/Single/Double Jtd Screamer Olive/White, Black, White, Yellow, Olive #8, Mini Sex Dungeon Olive #6, Zirdle Olive/Orange #8, Zonker Natural Copper Body, Natural #8.

June 28th-July 3rd | Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Flyfishing Fireworks are starting early here on the Madison with the arrival of the Salmonflies and Goldenstones! They first popped up from Ennis to Varney around the 28th and are slowly moving up the river throughout the week. The real showstopper has been the Caddis this week, primarily in the evenings. PMD’s have also been productive on top and as an Emerger under a Dry or behind a stone. Dry Fly fishing has been hit or miss depending on cloud cover and best in the evening and early morning. If you are committing to Dry Flies it is best to change frequently if your flies are not getting the attention they deserve! Nymphs and Streamers have been very productive still with Stones and all the varieties of Prince Nymphs ruling the day. With the drop of flows the middle of the river has been quite productive.

The River flows this week started at 1,500cfs at the beginning of the week and 1,240cfs at Kirby by the 3rd. At Cameron the flows were 2,400cfs on the 28th and progressively dropped through the week to 1,850cfs by the 3rd. Water clarity is still off color emerald green and clearing more and more everyday. The crew at Beartooth Flyfishing would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Safe and most importantly fun 4th of July Holiday!!

 

 

 

 

 

Dries: Delektable Chubbyness Olive/Brown, Rootbeer #12-#14, Delektable CDC Elk Hair Caddis Tan #16-#14, Delektable Sparkle Bug Gray #18-#14, Paulson’s Golden Flutter Bug #10, Delektable Lil’ Secret Goldrush #16-#12, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldush #12-#8, Purple Haze Split Wing Parachute #14-#16, Carlson’s Purple Craze #14-#16, Delektable Purple, PMD Teaser #14-#16, Delektable Halo Royal, Tan #14-#16, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness UV Goldenstone, UV Salmonfly, Orange #8-#12, Delektable Secret Stone UV Salmonfly #6-#8, Delektable Secret Stone UV Goldenstone #10-#12, Delektable Twisted X Orange/Brown #6-#8, Delektable Mega 2 Tone Chubbyness Goldrush #8-#12, Delektable Twisted Sister Salmonfly #6-#4.

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #4-#8, Delektable BH Brown/Orange, Black/Orange Stoner #4-#8, Delektable Guide Stone Brown/Yellow, Black #6-#10, Delektable Mega Prince Standard #4-#6, BH Delektable Prince Brandon #10-#16, Formerly Known as Prince #12-#18, BH Lemon Drop #18-#14, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver #20-#14, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Jighead Halo Green #18-#14, Delektable Mr. RubberLegs Hare’s Ear, Olive/Brown #12-#16, Delektable CDC Baby #14-#10, Delektable Rootbeer Float Gold, PMD Yellow #18-#14, Delektable Lemon Juice Yellow Sally #16-#14.

Streamers: Trevor’s Sculpin Olive, Natural #4, Delektable Christmas Tree Original, Black, Olive #6, Delektable Screamer SS/Double/Single Olive/Black, Black, Yellow #6, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural #6, Trina’s Belly Dancer Olive #6, Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6, Sundell’s Bad Boy Olive #4.

June 13th | Upper Madison Runoff Report

Here in the Madison Valley Mother Nature has decided it can’t hold back the big part of runoff any longer. As of this morning the Kirby station is at 2,460 cfs and the Cameron station is reading 5,100 cfs. At these flows it is not safe to float between Lyon’s Bridge and Palisades fishing access sites. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET BENEATH THE SUN WEST AND WOLF CREEK BRIDGES! We have also just been notified by Northwestern Energy that they will begin to increase flows out of the Dam today to bring the Kirby station up to 3,500 cfs and keep the flow consistent at that level for the next several days. So expect the Cameron station to jump another 1,000 cfs give or take as well. These higher flows will make fishing tough as we approach peak runoff. There will not be much need to get into the water. Fish will be pushed into the banks and it’s going to be a nymphing and streamer game until things begin to subside. The Upper Madison is a challenging river to row at normal flows. With the expected higher flows please be careful out there and if you don’t have a lot of big water rowing experience it’s best to leave the boat at home right now. It only takes one mistake in big water and you can find yourself in a lot of trouble. Be smart and most of all be safe out there. Call our shop at 406-682-7525 if you have any questions to help you plan your fishing experience.

Nymphs: Delektable Guide Stone Black, Black/Brown #4-#8. Delektable Mega Prince Flashback #4-#8, Pat’s Rubberlegs Black #4-#8. Delektable Worm Red, Pink, #12. Wire Worms #8-#10. Prince Nymphs #12-#16. Formerly Known as Prince #12-#16. Lightning Bugs #12-#16. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Red, Blue, #12-#16. Delektable Jig Hook Spanker Silver, Holo Black, PMD Pale Olive, #12-#18.

Streamers: Delektable Single Screamer White, Black, Olive, Yellow, Black/Olive #6. Delektable Double Screamer Black/Olive, White, Brown/Yellow #8. Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Olive/White, Black/Olive, White. Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Smoke, Sculpin, JJ #6. Galloup’s Dungeon Black/Olive Barred. Galloup’s Silk Kitty Black,White, Tan/White. Bow River Bugger White #6. Zonkers White, Natural, Yellow #6.

May 23rd- May 29th Upper Madison Fishing Report

The first signs of Runoff have hit the Valley. However, it has been slow and gentle so far.  Inconsistent weather conditions in the Valley have continued throughout this week. The River is showing a distinct striping from the West Fork down. Further towards Varney and into Town we are seeing a complete off-color River. This happens to be perfect for fishing bigger Stoneflies and Nymphs, flashier droppers with larger diameter Tippet. Above the West Fork we have started to see Fish stacking up in holes and the Streamer Slinging has started to be productive!! We have had reports of 20-30 fish days on the Streamer, Slingers’ your time has arrived! The River started the week at Kirby at 650 cfs and gradually rose through the week to 1,080 cfs; at Cameron we saw a similar trend with the water at 860 cfs early in the week and it ended at 1,820 cfs. We are seeing this influx of water coming from our tributaries (West Fork, Indian Creek, Wolf Creek, Cabin Creek, Beaver Creek, Standard Creek, Moose Creek & Sheep Creek) rather from Hebgen Lake. We are very grateful to have a dedicated dam operators that are doing all that they can to conserve as much water as possible at Hebgen to keep our beloved Madison with healthy flows all Summer long! The weather that we have had this April & May has really been a life saver, we are currently sitting at 130% snowpack!! This coming week we should be seeing more rain and mid 60-degree weather, however with the cooler nights we are predicting to see a continuation of this week’s water conditions and continued fishable water!! Come see us and let us help you with your bug selection and gear, and we provide Free delicious Dark Roast Coffee and chat about Epic Fishing Days!!!

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #6-#8, Delektable Hurless Stone Grey or Olive FB #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver/Pheasant Tail #12-#16, BH Delektable Prince Brandon #10-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, BH Hot Orange Pheasant Tail #14-#18, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Hare’s Ear #14-#16, Delektable Stoner Egg Head Spark Plug Black/Brown #6, Delektable BH Black Stoner #6, Lightning Bug Silver #16-#18, Delektable Stonefly Candy UV Brown/Gold #4-#8, Pat’s Rubberleg Brown or Black #4-#8, Tungsten BH Jiggy Blow Torch #14-#16, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Jighead Halo Green #14, Delektable Worm Red #8, Wire Worm Orange/Red #6.

Dries: Delektable Mega2Tone Chubbyness Royal #8-#10, Purple Haze Parachute #16-#18, Geppert Crystal Dip #16-#18, Parachute Adams #16-#18, BWO Para-Sipper #18-#20, Three Dollar Crystal Dip GB #16, Delektable BWO Teaser #18, Delektable Royal Squeezer #18-#20.

Streamers: Coffey’s BH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6, Delektable Screamer Single or Double Olive, Yellow, Black, or Spawning #8, Zonker Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive #8, Sparkle Minnow Fish Skull Black #8, Slump Buster Black #8.

May 17th-May 22nd Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Montana Spring has many surprises, mostly the weather! This week started with temperatures in the high 60s, snow by Friday melted later in the day, and a full-blown blizzard on Sunday.  The river showed some signs of runoff with the West Fork kicking in mud with the higher temperatures early in the week however the cooler temps turned that off as quickly as it turned on and the river was running clear by Sunday. We saw fluctuations in the river this week starting out with flows at Kirby at 750cfs up to 980cfs by mid-week and coming back down to 715cfs. There was a similar pattern for Cameron as well 860cfs at the beginning of the week, 1,300cfs by midweek, and dropping to 900cfs by Sunday. The changing conditions have made some days challenging for catching but alternatively have made other days amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were very excited and honored this week to host students and teachers from the Nueva School in Hillsborough, California on a guided float on the Upper Madison. The kids have been learning about fly-fishing and practicing casting at school; they put their preparation and knowledge to the test on Thursday. The “W” and temp factor added some special variables. As for their experience, the pictures tell the best story!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince STD FB #6-#8, Delektable Hurless Stone Gray/Olive FB #6-#8, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver/Pheasant Tail #12-#16, Delektable Prince Brandon #10-#16, BH Shop Vac #14-#16, BH Hot Orange Pheasant Tail #14-#18, Delektable Hammerhead GTBH Hare’s Ear #14-#16, Delektable Stoner Egg Head Spark Plug Black/Brown #6, Delektable BH Black Stoner #6, Lightning Bug Silver #16-#18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dries: Delektable Mega 2Tone Chubbyness Royal #8-#10, Purple Haze Parachute #16-#18, Geppert Crystal Dip #16-#18, Parachute Adams #16-#18, BWO Para-Sipper #18-#20, Three Dollar Crystal Dip GB #16, Delektable BWO Teaser #18, Delektable Royal Squeezer #18-#20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Streamers: Coffey’s BH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6, Delektable Screamer Single/Double Olive/Yellow/Black/Spawning #6, Zonker Natural/Copper #6-#8, Sculpzilla Olive #8, Sparkle Minnow Fish Skull Black #8, Slump Buster Black #8.

 

 

 

 

 

May 1st-May 8th Madison River Fishing Report

Wow! What a Wet and Wild Spring we have had in Southwest Montana. Temps have varied from mid 30s to high 60s through the week and the conditions have been no wind and sunny to full blown 50 mph wind gusts and white out snowy conditions. Then switching to heavy rain with light wind and back to sunny with no wind: all these conditions possibly all within the span of one day. The true fishing believers braving the weather in search of the bite have been hardened and truly indoctrinated in what it means to fish in Montana in the Spring; and for their perseverance in the elements many have been rewarded handsomely! The Crew at Beartooth Flyfishing and the fishing community are overjoyed for the moisture that the weather has been bringing us this past month. At this time last month, we were sitting at 73% our normal snowpack and within the month we have climbed to 92% and still climbing!!

The flows on the Upper Madison earlier this week were 730cfs at Kirby and 805cfs at Varney gradually climbing to 820cfs @ Kirby and 1,020cfs at Varney by the end of the week. With the variable weather conditions this week fish are still moving slow (but biting hard) with colder water temperatures and nymphing has been the way! The Streamer bite is coming on but slowly and dead drifting has been the most productive technique. Fishing has been awesome this week the pictures below tell the story more beautifully than we can!

Nymphs: Pat’s  Rubber Legs Black #10, Delektable Hurless Stone Gray #8, Delektable Mega Prince Standard #8, Formerly Known as Prince #14-16, Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail #14-20, Shop Vacs #14-18, Delektable Rootbeer Float Baetis Dark Grey/ Olive #18-20.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double SS Jointed Screamer Black, Olive or White #6, Sculpzilla Olive or Black #4-8, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow #6.

Dries: Para Adams #12-20, Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-20, Griffith’s Gnat #16-20, BWO Para Sipper #18-20, Delektable Lil’ Teaser BWO #18-20.

 

May 2nd & May 5th Lower Madison River Fishing Report

Lower Madison

The flows on the Lower Madison River are running  low, having to walk the boat in some sections, this week the temperatures are running quite cold at 48.2F which may be a reason the bite has been slower and exclusively on Nymphs and Small Streamers. The wind factor has also contributed for rough conditions for fisherman or a rower! Now we are patiently awaiting warm weather to hopefully get the Mother’s Day Caddis popping!

Nymphs: BH Mo River Pheasant Tail #16-18, Delektable  Jig Hook Tungsten Spanker Pheasant Tail #16-20, Pat’s Rubber Legs Black #10.

Streamers: Zonker Natural #6, Slump Buster Squirrel Gold #6, Delektable Screamer Single Black, Olive, White or Yellow #6.

February 3rd | Madison River Fishing Report

Happy February from the gang here at Beartooth Flyfishing. It’s been a great winter so far here in the Madison Valley. The valley is full of Elk and Deer which makes for some fantastic winter photos and wildlife viewing. Snowpack has been building and at this moment we are sitting at 95%. Keep up with the prayers for more snow and moisture as we can use all we can get after the low flows of last season. We’ve been busy at the shop working on Preseason orders. Dan’s been busy building rods. We will have some exciting things to see for the upcoming season to be sure.

The Upper River has opened back up after its temporary closure due to Hebgen Dam Malfunction in late 2021. The Ice Jam is on in full force from Ennis Lake upstream through Ennis and the lower fishing access sites. Angling pressure has been very low this winter as many anglers have been voluntarily giving the river a break to continue to heal after last years incident at the Dam. We’ve had many calls wondering how the river is doing. And as of right now it’s the same Madison we’ve loved forever. Flows are looking good. 920 cfs at Hebgen, 1000 cfs at Kirby, and 1060 cfs at Cameron.

The actual fishing itself has been good to excellent for those who have made the choice to get out there. Nymphing has been good to excellent. Midge Pupae, Smaller Mayfly Nymphs, Serendipities, and Heavy Stonefly Nymphs have been getting the job done. February is typically the month where we really see the midge dry fly activity really kick into gear up in the Upper Wade Stretch around $3 Bridge and Raynold’s Pass. This year looks to be no different as we’ve even had some great midge days up there in the latter half of January with quite a few nicer blue bird days in the past couple weeks. Look for those days in the upper thirties and low forties with calmer winds and the dry fly fishing up there can be some of the best you’ll have throughout the year. Dead Drifting a Streamer has also been very effective at times. Anglers who have checked in with us at the shop are coming in with good to great reports which is so nice to hear after the events of late last year.

We at Beartooth thank all of you as always for all your support and kindness. As Spring begins to approach get those vices heated up and fill those boxes for another exciting Flyfishing Season in SW Montana in 2022. Our fly inventory right now is great. As always, we have all the bugs you could possibly need for a early outing to the Upper Madison. Be safe out there and Tight Lines!

Dries: Griffith’s Gnat #18-#22. Adams Midge Cluster #18-#20. Brook’s Midge Sprout Black #20. CDC Midge #20. Zelon Midge #20-#22. Parachute Adams #20-#22. Carlson’s Purple Craze #18-#20.

Nymphs: Delektable Mega Prince Std. and Flashback #8-#10. Delektable Guide Stone Black, Black/Brown #8-#10. Pat’s Rubberlegs Black, Brown, Black/Brown #8-#12. Delektable Twinkle Black, Red, Rootbeer, Olive #18-#20. Zebra Midge Black, Red #18-#20. $3 Dips Brown, Red, Olive #16-#20. Jig Hook Napoleon Light Olive #16-#18. Delektable Lil’ Spanker Silver, Gold, Red, Pheasant Tail, Blue #16-#20. Delektable Tungsten Jig Spanker Silver, Red, Gold, Holo Olive, Holo Black, Pheasant Tail #18. Delektable Big Spanker Warrior #18.

Emergers: RS2 Gray, Black, Olive #18-#22.

Streamers: Delektable Screamer Single or Double Olive, Black, White, Black/Olive. Delektable SS Jointed Screamer Black, Black/Olive, Olive, White. Sculpzilla Olive, Natural #4-#8. Zonkers Natural, Copper, Olive #6-#8. Bow River Bugger Olive, White, Black/Olive #6-#8.

December 2nd | Madison River Flow Update

In the early morning hours on Tuesday November 30th, 2021 a malfunction occurred with the headgate at Hebgen Dam on the Upper Madison River. The malfunction caused flows below the dam to decrease from 650 cfs down to 150 cfs. The severe and sudden decrease in flows resulted in numerous side channels in the section of river between Hebgen and Quake Lakes to be emptied. The receding water left many Adult Trout, Whitefish, Juvenile Trout, and Sculpin to be stranded and in some cases unfortunately lost forever, and Spawning Redds were exposed. Most of the river below Quake did see a large reduction in flows but the impact was not as severe. The most impacted area below Quake were the side channels around the West Fork and Eagles Nest.

As the day went on FWP and Northwestern Energy began doing what they could. An emergency fishing closure was put in place on the entire Upper Madison from Hebgen Dam down to Ennis Lake and remains in place at the time of this writing. People on scene began rescuing as many Trout, Whitefish, and Sculpin in all age classes as possible. Fisherman, Flyshop Employees, and other local volunteers were also on the scene quickly to begin helping with the rescue. In the early part of the emergency it was hard to know what to do. Help began, but then due to fear of trampling exposed Spawning Redds and the possible danger to folks if the gate was repaired with sudden increased flows that could impact people in the River, a call to stand down was made. By the end of the day though it was clear that more help was definitely needed, rescues should occur, and the gate was still not repaired as parts were needed to be brought in and installed.

Calls for help went out through Social Media, Email, and Phone Calls. And… boy did the Cavalry show up on Wednesday morning the 1st of December. Hundreds of volunteers came from near and far including: Guides; Flyshop Employees; Fisherman; Montana FWP; and Northwestern Energy Personnel. Volunteers included people from all walks of life and from communities near and far. Groups split up in all areas of the River walking the banks and carefully looking for fish still stranded in the small pools and pot holes left by the reduction in flows. Luckily nighttime temperatures had been mild and the crews throughout the valley were able to rescue many many more fish, and return them to the main channel.

Yesterday evening close to midnight and into today and the early morning hours of December 2nd Northwestern Energy crews were able to get the broken part installed on the headgate and return flows on the Upper Madison below the dam back to 650 cfs. This should bring welcome relief to the exposed Redds. Time will tell what the long term impacts will be on the River going forward.

We were able to send Ryan Ongley our Shop Manager up to help in the rescue effort. During this time of year there are only a few of us here at the shop. Ryan reported back as to the very large army that showed up to help. The Flyfishing Community is a special one. It’s almost like a family. It truly was amazing to see just how many people took time out of their busy lives to come do their part to help this special resource. Thank you one and all for helping the Fish and the River!

At this time we have no word on how long the Emergency Fishing Closure will remain in place. But it’s best to leave the River at Peace for now and give Mother Nature some time to do some healing and let the trout fatten up more for the coming Winter.