Spring Fishing Report

Welcome to Spring, 2008:
This is April 30 and it is snowing all day in this mountain village of West Yellowstone, Montana. The question most asked by the locals is, When will it stop snowing this Spring, "Winter"?
The Madison River below Hebgen Lake is fishing very well. The first mile of river is clear and loaded with fat Rainbows and some good Browns. We still have lots of snow and it is melting, but not fast enough.

The Ice goes off Hebgen Lake on the last week of April, but not this year! I look forward to fishing Hebgen Lake each spring just as the Ice goes off the lake. My guess it will go off by May 8th this year. If we get lots of warm day's I could be even earlier. I will have the current conditions of Ice Out, so call me for the current report on the Ice.

This year we are having a late spring so everything will be late. We still have piles of hard snow pack all over the town and everyone is plowing and praying for warm weather. The Salmon fly Hatch will start on the Lower Madison near Ennis Montana about June 20th. or ever later. I expect the water to be high and off color which is great for the Salmon fly hatch. The high water puts the fish on the bank and under the willows where the most Salmon Flies will hatch. The Float fishing this year should be great using the big black Salmon Fly Nymph and also the Salmon fly Dry Fly.

The general fishing will open in Yellowstone National Park on the Saturday Morning before Memorial Day, this year will be May 24th. The Firehole should be fishing well with all wet flies and small Woolly Buggers.

For more information please call me on the telephone. I will be opened for the season on May 10th and look forward to talking with all who call.
Good Fishing!
Bob Jacklin