Muddy Montana
- This topic has 13 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Sep 25, 2014 at 6:12 am by
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Last week’s 4 days of rain has put spikes on the flow charts and a lot of color in SW Montana rivers and in the Park. I understand west of the divide isn’t fairing that well either. But there still are opportunities to find fish on lonely, deserted stretches of river.
This isolated stretch of the Madison River is wade fishing only, sees very few floaters and almost no guide boats. The water is gin clear, not weedy, and is a meandering stream of classic riffles/pools. Most of the bottom is small cobble and easily waded. The best part—lots of good sized fish and plenty of bugs, including hoppers. Browns predominate, but the rainbows are chunky and feisty, almost steelhead like.
Bugs in the air on a summer morning.
Lots of wildlife as well. Zoom in on this quick snapshot and you’ll see at least 5 or 6 whitetail bucks that are just half of a group of at least 10 bucks that were at river’s edge when I approached. The other half crossed the river out of site before I could get to the camera.
Best of all, we’ve already got snow in the mountains. Fall browns should be a blast.Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
That brown is built like a football! Snow already!!!!! I don’t arrive eu til mid October, I really hope it’s not too bad then.
E
Hi Mike,
nice pics. I’m coming out on Sept. 20 for a couple of weeks. We are starting out on the Missouri and then heading over to the West Yellowstone area. We were hoping to float the Madison near Ennis. I am a little concerned about water temps. I see your current weather, but I suppose things could spike back upward. what is your take on that?Mike, I don’t think water temperatures are going to be an issue this year. We have great water, as flows are holding well above long term averages. Generally temps on the Missouri and Upper Madison haven’t gotten much above the mid-60s so far this year and are unlikely to be any higher in late September. The biggest challenge in September and October is usually low, clear water and blue-bird days. The flows will go down a bit by late September and the water, especially in the Upper Madison around Ennis will be gin clear. Warm, blue-birds will likely still be good hopper days but tougher to get many larger fish, while (my favorite) cool, rainy, overcast days will make BWOs and streamers the go-to patterns for much better probability at larger fish. Its always the luck of the draw on the weather side. If you are using your own boat or can get a guide to take you, the 8 mile Ennis to Ennis Lake float is a really nice option in the Fall. It is wade fishing only, so the boat becomes transportation only. There are so many braids and channels that this section really fishes like 50 miles of remote water and in general is very easy to wade. Plus, this section of the river gets good run up fish from Ennis Lake. I am sure the “Obese” brown and those steelhead like rainbows above spent some time in the lake. The downside–its a bit of a row to the takeout across the south end of the lake, but that keeps all but the hardy off this water. Good Luck.
Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
Thanks Mike,
That’s an interesting tip below Ennis there.Last time I floated the Madison, we did Varney bridge to Eight-mile ford (and turned the canoe over) and enjoyed that stretch although we did not catch a lot of fish. Is there much in the way of foot access on the stretch you mentioned?Mike, a canoe would be an idea vessel for this area. It is much more tame than stretches of the Madison above Ennis. It is especially nice as you approach the lake and the river bottom becomes much finer cobble and gravel. As far as walk-in access, it is really limited to the Valley Garden FAS. Areas within a 1/2 mile either way from the FAS get pounded. And the farther you go from the FAS, the farther you have to return in the river. Remember, this section of the river is surrounded by private land so all access has to be below the high water mark. No cross-country hiking tolerated.
All that said, whether you float it or attack it from the lake, the lower sections are the most productive as most drift boat drivers don’t venture into the smaller channels, especially in the fall. If you can tether your canoe, you can easily put in at Clute’s landing and access any of the river mouths with an easy paddle. Then wading, paddling and fishing upriver, especially the small channels is highly productive. See my post about “Fishing the Last Mile First” https://www.itinerantangler.com/blog/board/forums/topic/short-piece-in-kayak-angler-mag/. Even if you float down from Valley Garden FAS and want to take out a Clute’s, having a tether on the canoe will allow to you wade and fish without having to get in and out of the boat all the time. I’ve fished the entire length of some of these channels on foot with my kayak tethered to me. Almost all the channels can be crossed at tail outs and pool heads, especially in the fall. Here’s some images for reference.
Valley Garden is ~ 3.5-4 miles from the lake.
The area around Valley Garden FAS is the only walkin access and it gets pounded within a 1/2 mile up and down the river.
The lower reaches offer the best fishing and the biggest fish (many lake run). Most drift boat drivers won’t venture into the small channels.
The paddling distances from the river mouths to the takeout are not onerous. You have to beware of really windy days, especially NW or NE winds. But even if its moderately windy, this section of the lake, especially the SW corner is relatively sheltered.Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
Mike,
I really appreciate the response and the maps. Once we are in the area, that will be a nice option to have. The biggest obstacle will be my buddy who may not be in for rowing the drifter across a portion of lake. That would be my idea for fishing that section, going up from the lake at the mouths of the creeks. An early start to the day may be in order here. Once again, thankyou.Mike Livingstone
Mike,
Saw your name on the flyfishyellowstone blogspot. Question for you is there a fly on there the long tail bugger. Any idea on the materials used for this fly?Eric
Eric,
I’ve never read that blog, so I was surprised to see my name on some of the posts. Mostly references to stuff I did on Wikipedia. I have never heard of a Long-Tailed Bugger, but must assume the tailing is marabou. I much prefer tails on the shorter side, especially on smaller buggers. Long tails tend to get nipped at without hookups.
Did you see my PM about October 17th?
Mike
Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
Eric, sent off an email this morning
Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
That Brown is obese!
Not wrong.
Great condition – must be some pretty good feed in that water !Thanks for the great pics and write-up – very cool !
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A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
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