Madison River Crisis, Wind, and December

Madison Flows Plummet to 177cfs

As many have heard or seen on the Insta and other social sites the water in the Madison is low. The dam malfunction with Northwestern Energy at the wheel dropped flows to a dire 177 cfs. It has now settled at 250cfs-ish.

All hands on deck on the Madison. Head to the upper river if you want to help. We’re sure there will be lots and lots and lots of anglers, guides, shop staffers, and human beings with buckets, nets, and love helping today and into the future until the situation under control.

Upper Madison Update: First, our apologies for the changing messages. This is a crisis situation and we are trying to work with the best information we have. We now know that a dam malfunction is the cause of the rapid reduction in flows. Crews are working 24/7 to remedy the situation, but it appears the water will not be restored in the near future. Unless flows are restored tonight, a large scale fish rescue operation will take place tomorrow. Volunteers are encouraged to walk the banks and rescue fish. Please abide by the stream access law. The drop in flows will be less severe below Quake Lake and should give fish more time to move. If you have the opportunity, bring a net and a bucket and practice safe fish handling. The entire upper river from Hebgen to Valley Garden could be affected. Please be cautious of trampling redds especially those still underwater.

Shit. That’s bad.

No decline in river flows here on the Mo. As you know the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin join at Three Forks to create the Mighty Mo.

Our thoughts, love, positive vibes go out to all with boots on the ground helping today and beyond. Contact any of the fly shops servicing the Madison if you want to help. But not today, they are all out there saving trout. So maybe tonight or tomorrow. You will see the social sites flooded with info, videos, and the like all week long.

We will be monitoring this as the day/weeek goes on.

Windy Bitch

Gusts to 62mph at Cooper Bridge last night, into the morning. Currently 64F, way too warm for December 1st coupled with steady winds at 24mph with guests to 38mph. Not a great day to dry fly fish?

Just like any other Montana winter, or late fall, we will see variable conditions for the remainder of the week. Warm today and tomorrow, rain and snow Friday into the weekend, and seasonal conditions arrive Tuesday with more snow and daytime temps not bridging the 40F mark.

December

Here we are. Swing Season. When that aforementioned wind knocks down you could toss a few spey casts out there. The fishing is fantastic and the weeds are at a level of 0. Pretty nice for the strippers and swingers.

Nymphers? Sure, but why not switch it up for a spell. Come by and begin learning the spey side of trout fishing. Why not. New cast, new rods, way more gear? Whats not to like? And of course, we can help you along the way!

Shop open daily at 8am for all your 2HTROUT needs, the hottest sure fire nymph patterns, new fly lines, XMAS HQ, shuttles, rental boat, guide trips, casting lessons, stoning stuffers and more at Headhunters of Craig Montana.