The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Got back to Montana on Saturday night and went to check the river first thing Sunday morning. It is roaring at high runoff stages but with somewhat clear water. If you have not heard, Hebgen Lake had two gates in the dam break open a week ago dumping water at about 3200cfs. The flow went from 750 to 4000 in a few minutes. Luckly everyone was able to get off the river safely. They have no idea how to fix it because the first try didn't work. Hebgen Lake is dropping about 5" every 24 hours. If they don't get something done soon there may be some pretty dismal fishing on this river in the next few years. I did fish in what few holding areas there are and caught a couple of fish but there are not many places. Only saw one other person walking, looking for a place to fish. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they figure out what to do before the lake drains.

Thanks for the update Jan. It's become one of our favorite places to fish. I hope they find a solution soon because it effects much more than just the fishing.

Keep in touch

Joe

Jan,

The MRFC has been monitoring this situation since it first occurred. There are updates here and on Craig Matthew's site as well:

http://www.../MadisonRiverReport.aspx

Got some new patterns coming up fer' U in about a week!!!

PT/TB

We have been watching that site. Also took a drive up to the dam last night. There is an amazing amount of water coming out of there. Interestingly there are some new channels up where we are and fishing those is a little like spring creek fishing. The fish have moved into areas where there has not been enough water to support them for years. Have not seen another fisherman in our area for days. Probably a good thing as there really are not that many areas for the fish to hang out up here on this side of the river. They are going to have to be very careful about dropping the water or a lot of nice fish are going to get stranded.

Jan,
Check your NCFFB e-mail

Paul

Got it.