What to do conundrum

Salmo_g

Salmo_g

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My plan was to go to the Madison River in MT next week to fish the annual salmon fly hatch. Checking in with Swimmy the other day, he said that the river is lower than he's ever seen it for this time of year, and presumably warmed earlier, and that the salmon fly hatch is pretty much over already. Fishing was slow, and he went home Monday the 16th. I'm not really excited to make the drive for "low water and slow fishing." This has me thinking of alternatives for between now and the 4th of July.

I could:

1. Go anyway and see what I can make of it;

2. Cancel and wait for the September trip I sometimes make to the Yellowstone;

3. I have a friend in Helena I could visit and twist his arm to fish the Missouri - he lives right there but hardly ever fishes.

4. Pick an alternate destination and go fish it. Not sure what that alternative might be however.

What are your suggestions?
 
I’d find a place with the water levels you’re looking for (regardless of heavy salmonfly hatches or not) and go there. This is a great time for PMDs, caddis, yellow sallies, spruce moths…trout time!
 
You could consider taking a refresher course in culinary arts. 🤪
 
Missouri...
There's always all the other water in the state that doesn't get talked about too...
That bring said I was a big fan of the Fall trips out that way, went 10 years in a row from early 90's to early 00's...
Being retired like you are, do both.
;)
 
YNP just instituted Hoot Owl restrictions on the Madison, Firehole, and one other stream within the Park. Suspect MT fish and game will follow suit before too long. I fished Henrys Lake day before yesterday and water was 70 mid day! Slight good news is we have a cold front coming for a couple of days. That will help a little but it still crazy warm for Mid June.
 
Maybe "Rocky Mountain Fly Highway" in Idaho?

With Hoot Owl restrictions in YNP, yikes!
 
Time to fish some small streams at high elevation for small native fish with light rods or Tenkara. No crowds, cooler temps, great scenery and beautiful fish. Fish like we did when we were kids without being encumbered by all the high tech bullshit we laden ourselves with nowadays. Trust me-it's refreshing!
 
Salmo_g said:
My plan was to go to the Madison River in MT next week to fish the annual salmon fly hatch. Checking in with Swimmy the other day, he said that the river is lower than he's ever seen it for this time of year, and presumably warmed earlier, and that the salmon fly hatch is pretty much over already. Fishing was slow, and he went home Monday the 16th. I'm not really excited to make the drive for "low water and slow fishing." This has me thinking of alternatives for between now and the 4th of July.

I could:

1. Go anyway and see what I can make of it;

2. Cancel and wait for the September trip I sometimes make to the Yellowstone;

3. I have a friend in Helena I could visit and twist his arm to fish the Missouri - he lives right there but hardly ever fishes.

4. Pick an alternate destination and go fish it. Not sure what that alternative might be however.

What are your suggestions?
Click to expand...
One of the many reasons I quit fishing Montana. Try thinking very early history and Lake Missoula!!!
 
I fished RC for decades, usually just before start of July. Numerous times hoping high waters would recede.

Just checked flows at RC. They are about half of normal and temps hit 64 daily now.
 
ifsteve said:
YNP just instituted Hoot Owl restrictions on the Madison, Firehole, and one other stream within the Park. Suspect MT fish and game will follow suit before too long. I fished Henrys Lake day before yesterday and water was 70 mid day! Slight good news is we have a cold front coming for a couple of days. That will help a little but it still crazy warm for Mid June.
Click to expand...
The other river is the Gibbon.,
 
Oh Man! What a conundrum. Sounds like adventure time. So many opportunities!

Maybe sit down with Recreation.gov to find out what’s still available in Western MT.

There are some nice crowdless places on the North AND South Fork of the Flathead.

Didn’t you and the Mrs. float outa the Bob a couple years ago? I’ve dispersed camped just shy of Spotted Bear and it was awesome…..saw a mountain lion swim across the South Fork👍

Or maybe bring a ‘toon and float some of the west side lakes around Polebridge…..can’t remember which one holds bull trout.

Or a couple years ago, the wife and I bounced around the Rocky Mountain Front. Found some great places to hike and fish!

Go have an adventure! We’re not getting any younger. You can stay home and mow the lawn any old time 👍
 
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