Upper Madison Fishing Report: Winter Mayflies & Managing Guide Ice
Fishing on the Upper Madison over the past couple of days has been great. We are seeing a slight tint to the river from valley snowmelt, but it is nothing to worry about and the water remains highly fishable.
What They’re Eating: Girdle Bugs, Eggs, and Mayflies
There is a solid mix of food in the drift right now. We are seeing a lot of mayflies out, and the fish are actively feeding on them. Timing is the biggest factor with this hatch. Look for the bugs to start coming off later in the day around 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM, or whenever the daily temperatures hit their peak. This surface and near-surface activity is typically lasting right into 4:00 PM.
Stoneflies & Eggs: Girdle Bugs in black, olive, and brown are moving fish. Pair these with an egg pattern. Light orange tints are performing best right now. Both pegged trout beads and traditional tied egg patterns are working equally well.
Mayfly Nymphs: To match the current mayfly activity, drop down to small nymphs in sizes 16 and 18. Purple or black and green variations are getting the most attention.
Current Flows: USGS Upper Madison River Near Cameron
Weather & Gear Notes: Fighting the Freeze
The forecast shows a continuation of cold, windy conditions with snow expected almost all week.
The biggest headache on the water right now is ice building up on your fly rod guides. To keep the ice at bay and save yourself some frustration, treat your guides with Loon Outdoors Stanley's Ice Off Paste. If you do not have any on hand, a little bit of standard cooking oil applied to the guides works as a solid backup plan.