Jan 10 Upper Madison Trifecta

Yesterday, my gal pal Sarah, fishing buddy Nick Lux, and I headed to the Ennis area for the Madison Vally trifecta. What is the Madison Vally trifecta, you ask? Well, it's the perfect way for a fly fisherman to spend a winter day in south west Montana. First, pile on the layers and dredge up a few trout on your favorite stretch of the Madison River. Second, head to the Bear Claw Bar and Grill in Mcallister to tell b.s. fishing stories over a beer and possibly the best burger and fries in the state of Montana. Thirdly, and for sure the best part of the trifecta is soaking your tired back side in the water of the god's at Norris Hot Springs while sipping on another cold brew and taking in some live blue grass.

Fishing report...

With a little snowy weather rolling in on us, the upper Madison was a bit slow, but we still managed to run into a few trout. The stretch of river we fished was typical upper Madison water with few deep pockets or pools to collect pods of winter fish, so being able to read water is very helpful. The obvious lies were found behind boulders or anything that may slow the current down enough to give a cold blooded salmonoid a break from the swift main stream. The not-so-obvious lies are given away only by the slick or smooth surface created by a large submerged rock or a depression on the bottom of the river. Early in the day bouncing stonefly nymphs and Lightning Bugs on the bottom brought a few tight lines, but in the afternoon, fish keyed in on midge nymphs. Finally, we saw some surface-feeders slurping down adult midges before a winter storm rolled in.

Fish Food...

Nymphs: Brown Pat's Rubber legs, Prince Nymphs, King's Prince, Zebra Midge tied in black or pink, Lightning Bug.

Dries: Griffiths Gnat, Para Gnat, BWO.

TY