blog

2021 Fishing Update

Sun, 16 May 2021 20:00:47 +0100

After a mild winter and below average snowfall the Madison drainage is currently 85% of historical average snowpack. Early season flows are trending slightly below normal for this time of year but with managed output from Hebgen reservoir the Madison is expected to have adequate flows for the summer fishing season. If anything the lower early season flows should provide easier wading during the salmon fly hatch while still allowing late season floating and fishing. The Jefferson, Ruby, and Big Hole drainages are substantially lower than average (as low as 60% in areas) and, absent timely rain, could have some late season fishing restrictions due to low flows and resulting higher stream temperatures.

The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is implementing new regulations starting in 2021 and taking effect over the next several years to minimize fishing impacts from increasing angler pressure on the Madison. Please check the FWP website for specific details, including restrictions on floating sections of the river from Lyons Bridge to Ennis Lake.

After a disruptive experience in 2020 due to Covid-19 we welcome all of our guests and look forward to a more normal fishing experience in 2021.

Fishing Update 2020

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 17:55:12 +0100

Winter snow pack accumulation for the Madison Range and May rains were slightly below normal for this time of year but Northwestern Energy had enough reservoir capacity in Hebgen to support flushing flows this spring. The Madison is expected to have normal conditions through the salmon fly hatch and with anywhere near normal summer rainfall we should excellent fishing conditions in 2020, especially since outflow from Hebgen has been restored to historical conditions.

For those interested in fishing Yellowstone streams, the park opened June 1st although camping and lodging is significantly reduced for the 2020 season, so check with the Park service before planning any side trips. One advantage of our rental (Stay on the Madison) is that you can day trip to the park to fish and Madison Junction campground opens June 15th, one of the few in the park that is open for the summer.

Montana is in phase 2 reopening and fishing guides and outfitters are taking reservations for 2020. Check with local Ennis or West Yellowstone fly shops for details. Of course, if you like to wade fish accessibility,great fishing all along the Madison is always an option. Guy

Pandemic Covid-19 2020

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 17:59:44 +0100

In addition to our regular cleaning, we have added additional procedures to clean during Covid19. We will continue to add bleach to the washer when cleaning between guests (towels & linens). We will clean all surfaces with a 5% bleach solution and/or Lysol. We will clean all utensils and glasses in dishwasher on the hot cycle between guests. We will pay close attention to door knobs, light switches, window hardware, remote when cleaning.

If you have stayed with us in the past, you will notice and absence of books, puzzles, games, playing cards etc. We will have available upon request but it adds to the cleaning time and some items are too hard to bleach! We will instead put a date when an item was used and hold at least 3 days between uses.

If you have concerns or suggestions, please let us know. We always like feedback! Linda

PS Yellowstone- MT entrances opened 6/1. 4 campgrounds will open mid June while 5 more will open 7/1. Lodging is limited and food is limited to takeout at this time. Check: nps.gov/yell for updates to services and road/lodging/campground closures for 2020

2019 Fishing Report

Sat, 05 Jan 2019 22:11:03 +0100

2019 is shaping up to be a lot like 2018 with projected higher than normal snow pack which, along with Hebgen spillway repairs and return to historical operations, should provide excellent seasonal flows and water temperatures on the Madison. 2018 was the first year since 2008 that Hebgen returned to its historical operating profile and conditions were excellent all season. The Madison is fortunate to have a lot of attention focused on it by Montana Department of Fish and Game, due to its iconic status and world wide reputation, and we are looking forward to a great 2019. Check back later in the season or check out local fly shops for fishing information and updates.

2016 Fishing Update

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 17:31:05 +0100

The salmon fly hatch is over and the Madison is returning to summer conditions with cool water temperatures and long term average flows. Storage in Hebgen and Ennis Lakes should be adequate to maintain these conditions throughout the summer. Northwestern Energy spillway replacement at Hebgen has been carried over through 2016 and the Madison has not returned to its historic operation of cooler bottom discharge but is scheduled to be fully restored in 2017. In the meantime the aquatic conditions are stable and good caddis and mayfly hatches are coming off. We have been experiencing good fishing conditions with improved rainbow catches and the browns seemingly larger than ever. Hopefully you can join us this year and plan on next year when the river is back to its long term historic conditions.

2016 Fishing Report

Mon, 02 May 2016 17:42:15 +0100

With the effects of El Nino SW Montana is experiencing a mild spring and fishing on the Madison is picking up early as was the case in 2015. March Browns started appearing in late April and the famous 'Mothers' Day' caddis hatch is underway as of May 2nd. The rainbows had been active earlier in the month but are now spawning and browns are now more active as the water temperature are warming into the 50's already.

Spillway work still needs to be completed on Hebgen this summer so there may be some disruption to the flows while this work takes place, but the good news is snowpack and moisture levels are near normal for the Madison. With the early spring many rivers in Montana will be experiencing earlier runoff than normal with potential for late season flow/temperature impacts, but the Madison reservoir levels are in great shape due to more normal precipitation and 2016 should be an excellent season on the Madison. Hope you can come out and join us this year!

2015 Fishing update

Fri, 12 Jun 2015 19:46:59 +0100

Fishing is off to an excellent early season start due to the mild winter and minimal spring runoff. Salmon flies began arriving on the Madison June 10th and river conditions are lining up well for the hatch. Caddis and little yellow stone flies are also showing up in good numbers for what looks to be a great fishing season. More as the summer progresses but with Hebgen having maximized water storage in response to the low snow pack this year we expect conditions on the Madison to be only marginally affected in 2015.

Non stops to BZN

Tue, 05 May 2015 21:32:12 +0100

Alaska Airlines has non stops to Seattle/Tacoma and summer non stop to Portland OR
Allegiant has twice weekly non stop to Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Delta has daily non stop to Minneapolis and Salt Lake City with summer Sat non stop to New York LaGuardia as well as summer non stop to Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Frontier has non stop to Denver
United has daily non stop to Denver and offers seasonal non stop to Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Seasonal service to New York/Newark operates Wed/Sat/Sun in the summer. Houston operates Sat/Sun in the summer

Spring 2015 Fishing Report

Tue, 05 May 2015 21:34:43 +0100

May 5, 2015
Fishing is off to an early and robust start on the Madison. An unusually mild winter has supercharged the early season and with expected minimal runoff due to the low snow pack and continued unseasonably warm weather we may have an early salmon fly hatch in 2015. Even better news is the most recent biologist data which shows this years' average size and number of trout in the Madison is improving and near historic highs, notably for rainbows in the upper sections and browns in the Varney section.

Northwestern Energy indicated in an April 28th public meeting in Ennis that Hebgen repairs will not be completed until 2016 season but projected confidence in regulating flows within their FERC license conditions to maintain the fishery even in what is shaping up to be, by their estimation, the 9th worst water conditions of the last 100+ years on the Madison. NWE has been reserving early runoff to accommodate the expected low water conditions later this season, and we expect that the Madison's tangible advantage over most Montana rivers, e.g. stable and predictable flows with moderate temperature fluctuation, will hold true particularly in this drought year.

Our early season anecdotal evidence supports the biologist results, i.e. we are catching larger browns in the Varney section than last year and BWO, mayfly, and blizzard like caddis hatches point to what should be an outstanding 2015 fishing season on the Madison.

Posted by Guy

StayOnMadisonRiver, LLC - Owner Operated

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:19:51 +0100

As of September 12, 2014, we will be booking directly with our guests on vrbo.com/398212 or flipkey.com/356001. Our property will no longer be managed by Apex. We will also be able to take credit cards directly. We will take a deposit and remaining payment 30 days prior to arrival. We will refund your deposit if cancelled 30 days prior to arrival. We have added a key pad lock to the front door and we will be able to assign and delete numbers for improved security for you.

An important part of our rental is the continued exceptional cleaning. We clean all towels in hot water and bleach between rentals. In addition, our bedding and linens are cleaned between rentals using hot water as well. We have just added a new dishwasher which will be quieter and easier to load. As owners we do a walk through prior to your arrival to test: lighting, smoke alarms, television, plumbing etc. If you notice anything not functioning or not up to your standards, please notify us asap! If you have suggestions as to how we can improve the rental, please do not hesitate to tell us.

We enjoyed meeting our guests this summer and look forward to seeing your return in 2015. Thank you for choosing StayOnMadisonRiver.com Linda