by Randy | Mar 31, 2022 | River Reports
We are 74% of normal…not good. March was a dud for moisture. Release flow at Hebgen is 565cfs…very weak…desperately trying to get Hebgen filled. Canyon Ferry Res. currently 68% of capacity. Willow Ck. (Harrison Lake) 79% of capacity. We are running...
by Randy | Mar 2, 2022 | The Snag Hole
This really does make more sense than the old way. Thanks to MOGA (Montana Outfitters and Guides Association) and all who supported the bill. Spread the word. New Nonresident Fishing License Choices Begin March 1 Starting March 1, 2022, nonresidents will now...
by Randy | Feb 24, 2022 | River Reports
Bitter cold temps have gorged the Madison upstream almost to Varney* and the ice is piling up. Here are two shots from yesterday, Feb. 23. Varney still open as of 2/25. Boat ramp at Burnt Tree Hole fishing access. Boat ramp at Eight Mile Ford fishing access. Eight...
by Randy | Jan 29, 2022 | The Snag Hole
In wintertime around the Madison you might see and hear black and white fighter jets whizzing by in formation over the river with a whistle and a whoosh…goldeneyes. But wait. We have two species of goldeneyes around these parts. Common and Barrow’s. Which...
by Randy | Jan 26, 2022 | The Snag Hole
This is where I grew up…The Walleye Belt…east side of Cleveland to be exact…the Village of Mayfield to be more exact. But it wasn’t the Walleye Belt back then. More like the Pollution Belt. Growing up in NE Ohio in the 50s and 60s, Lake Erie...
by Randy | Jan 25, 2022 | River Reports
No chucking salmon flies at large rainbows in the Box Canyon over Memorial Day weekend. No wall-to-wall humans wallowing through the green drakes and spooking bank sippers in June. No night stalking the brown drakes in July. It’s winter on the Henry’s...
by Randy | Jan 15, 2022 | River Reports
by Randy | Jan 9, 2022 | River Reports
The arrival of mallards from Alberta and Saskatchewan to Montana each winter is an epic event. Colorful, athletic…the strongest of flyers…the hardiest of all waterfowl. Watching these birds whoosh in at daybreak is awesome. .
by Randy | Jan 6, 2022 | The Snag Hole
Three non-profit groups are looking for answers into the dam malfunction that cut flows and threatened fish pops in the Madsion on Nov. 30 last year. I agree with them. The part that bothers me is that there was no alarm system to alert NorthWesternEnergy when the dam...
by Randy | Dec 31, 2021 | The Snag Hole
This article from Outdoor Life (remember them?) is an accurate summary of the near disaster at Hebgen…and how the people took action: fishing guides, concerned citizens and the utility company working together, side by side, for the common good of the Madison. How a...
