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Spring Flyfishing On The Madison River |
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By Marty Howard Kneeling with one knee on the matted grass, the other in the snow — looking at a flat spot in the current created by a log jam — fish rising to an almost invisible insect — the sun bright and warm — was winter really over, or was I just dreaming? I had heard a rumor that on the Madison in April, the midges would form rafts as large as a footprint. The rumor became reality. The snowcovered banks were black with adult midges, and the slicks were doted with rising fish. I couldn't find the words to express the excitment I was feeling at that moment. The rush of adrenaline created by this river and the challenge that awaited me was incredible. I was so caught up in my surroundings that it took my mind a minute to feel the intimidation created by the new fishing situation. With some experience on large western streams such as the stonefly hatch in the Box, the green drake hatch on the Yellowstone and the caddis hatch at Last Chance, I had some confidence in my ability as a fly fisherman. However, my feeling of confidence vanished completely when Blaine, my new fishing buddy, a local to West Yellowstone, asked if I had a 7x tippet. I replied, "No, but I have 6x — you've got to be kidding." He wasn't. So, to my nine foot leader, I added three feet of 7x and knotted a size 20 griffith gnat. By this time I was so intimidated I was shaking. Blaine added the last little bit of confidence builder by saying, "don't line 'em. These fish spook easily." The excitement of a Madison River rainbow at the end of my line overshadowed the feeling of intimidation, and I found myself casting upstream to the flat water created by the log jam. I never saw the fly land, but I knew about where it was. A nose appeared, and I lifted the rod. The line went tight instantaneously as a 14 inch rainbow broke the surface. As fast as the fish was hooked, it was gone. I was crushed. The feeling was about the same as when I had just broken my favorite rod. Brad, an Island Park resident, came to me with a word of encouragement, saying I shouldn't feel too bad. I had presented an imitation and fooled the fish. But he said, "it is also nice to touch 'em." The failure to land that first fish led to an obsession to conquer the river and its fish. But after fishing the river for a season, the feeling of having to conquer has been replaced with the hope that it would never happen — that the river would always produce the same feelings I felt that first day. I have had good success with golden stone nymphs in sizes 4 and 6. This type of fishing is an all-time favorite of mine. The Madison is fished best with a 9 to 9 1/2 foot number 6 or number 7 rod with double taper, floating fly line and a 9 to 10 foot leader with 6x tippet. Though the fish take a nymph hard and strong, a yarn indicator helps greatly. Split shot is a necessity to get the nymph down to the fish. The following is a list of nymphs that also work well on the Madison in the spring. Red fox squirrel — size 12 to 18 Green caddis larvae — size 10 to 16 Cased caddis — size 10 to 14 Black stones — size 2 to 6 Dark hare's ear — size 12 to 16 I encourage you to give this great river a try. If you have any questions about planning a trip or any particular fishing techniques, call Spinner Fall Guide Service: 877-811-FISH. |
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