There’s no question that fish are beginning to move up, though clearly not in great numbers yet.
Coolers nights, shortening days, better flows, higher Hebgen levels, cooler water all summer, alignment of the stars, gravitational fluxes – a veritable cascade of explanations have been offered as to the somewhat early start this year.
Are there lots of runners in the river? Nope. Are they randy pushovers yet? Nope. Are there increasing numbers of elbows giving it a try on the Park section of the Madison these days? Yep.
Oversimplifying a fair amount – you’ll have better odds fishing later in the day, best when the direct sun is off the water. Odds will probably improve swinging streamers and soft hackles (we were on the Firehole last night).
I know that folks are still getting a fish now and then with smaller hoppers, beetles and ants, as well as the odd hatch now and then.
Yellowstoner has a nice array of classic Madison flies on display here; he’s also damned right about Grayling right now (shush – don’t tell anyone else…)
Tags: River - YNP - Madison
