The Madison River has cleared up nicely as we are finally nearing the end of Spring runoff. Water temperatures have increased steadily with caddis, baetis, craneflies, little yellow and golden stones all now hatching plentifully. The eagery anticipated Salmonfly hatch is in full swing with the majority of the "Big Bugs" concentrated in the float section of McAtee to Varney and traveling upstream several miles per day. A few have even been spotted at Palisades. Use heavy short leaders and tippet; a 7.5 foot 1X leader and 1X tippet is not too heavy when fishing salmonfly dries. Multiple species of caddis are hatching on the Madison now also, allowing for the use of dries.

Salmonfly Dries: Arrick's Bitchin' Salmonfly, Mojo Salmonfly, King Kong, Thing From Uranus 4-6

Caddis: Tan or Brown Elk Hairs and X-Caddis, Tan Paraslick and Headlight Caddis, Tan or Brown Iris Caddis all in 14-16

Little Yellow Stones: Headlight Sally, Yellow Sally 16

Golden Stones: Rogue Stone, Carnage Stone

Droppers: Primetime Pupa, Super Pupa in tan or olive 16 Superflash PMD 16, Beaverhole PMD 16, Zebra Midge 16-18 in red or black

Henry's Lake is at full capacity with cooler water temperatures than in previous years and fishing better than it has in 10-15 years according to our Henry's Lake crew. We're still receiving excellent reports even as we head into mid-July. This is no doubt a result of such an enormous snowpack and such a cold wet Spring. Fish have moved off the banks into deeper water: 12-15 fee. A Type II WetCel should be your first choice in a line followed by a clear intermediate. If using a floating line, a chironomid under an indicator is an excellent choice in the evening hours and has accounted for some very large cutbows and brookies.

Buggers: Seal Buggers, Peacock Buggers 4-8

Nymphs: Halfbacks in 12, H. Lake Renegade and Olive Hare's Ears in 14

Chironomids: Ice Cream Cones, V-rib Chironomids 12-16