2/06 Upper Madison
This past Friday I headed up to the Raynolds Pass area with fishing bud, Nick Lux, for a day of snowy fly fishing on the Madison. Quarter-sized snowflakes, upper 30's temps, and next to no wind made for a quiet and beautiful winter scene on the river. If you haven't fished this time of the year, you really should get out and take advantage of the light pressure and hungry trout.
The fishing was far from hot, and the fish weren't in the slow winter holding areas like we're used to this time of the year. Due to the midge hatch that seamed to go on most of the day, the fish were hanging out in more traditional feeding lies, keying in on tiny nymphs. I feel like we would have done a little better if we were prepared with flies smaller than the size 18 midge nymphs I packed. However, we suckered a few with Prince nymphs and flash back pheasant tails.
If you go, arm yourself with midge nymphs in size 20- 22 for sure. We're entering the time of year when midgeys are popping, so have your basic selection of midge drys too.
The fishing was far from hot, and the fish weren't in the slow winter holding areas like we're used to this time of the year. Due to the midge hatch that seamed to go on most of the day, the fish were hanging out in more traditional feeding lies, keying in on tiny nymphs. I feel like we would have done a little better if we were prepared with flies smaller than the size 18 midge nymphs I packed. However, we suckered a few with Prince nymphs and flash back pheasant tails.
If you go, arm yourself with midge nymphs in size 20- 22 for sure. We're entering the time of year when midgeys are popping, so have your basic selection of midge drys too.
TY
