As expected, the process to “regulate” the flow of float and wade traffic on the Madison River (read the Upper Madison probably much more than the Lower Madison, at least from a fly fishing perspective) has generated a lot of let’s just call it colorful discussion.
The first of a series of two-day committee meetings, open to the greater unwashed like you and I, is in progress now (yesterday and today).
See the full meeting schedule here.
Here’s the committee roster, and an example of the (typical lightweight) local coverage the process has been given so far.
And just for interest’s sake, here’s the Montana FWP summary of their most recent survey data on the Madison.
I’ve been talking to/emailing with a number of friends in the industry up there, as well as a very helpful Travis Horton (FWP Region 3 Fisheries Director), and have a fair amount more to share on the process when I can round it all up.
FWP has a daunting task ahead of them here, overseeing a process to evolve recommendations to wisely steward the river without unfairly punishing any given user group – which the last set of recommendations clearly did. Thus far, they’re going about this process fairly and with laudable transparency; you’ll have plenty of opportunity to throw your two cents in…
More to come.
