The Backdoor

EASY ACCESS

Easy Fishing

great scenery

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.. Given the recently added access to $3 Dollar Bridge, it's not surprising that few fishers take the backdoor. But there's some good fishing to be had this time of year by walking the bank and picking your spot.
.. Spot and stalk, (as hunters would say,) is a possibility, - BUT - there's few very dense hatches in terminal February. Fishing the seams and slick dark water is probably more productive right now.
.. The Oliff Family has granted a 50' shoreline easement along the Madison River for access to this wonderful wading section of the river. This easement extends from the public access at the Raynolds Pass Can all the way to the $3 Dollar Bridge access.
.. It's a backdoor worth taking! For us, bank fishing is becoming the norm, and there are many little slicks, debris hides, and 'sweet seams' that are not much more than a rod's-length distance from the shore. The willows provide some cover, especially with the sun low in the southern sky.
.. We visited this locality twice over the weekend. Caught some good fish and didn't even get in the water.
.. The sun was bright, the air was still, the snow is well packed and not deep. Both days were - dare we say it - Spring-like.
.. We've become attached to small streamers, stone flies, soft hackles, and the Yellowstone Winter Grub this year.
.. An occasional small caddis nymph has been used but our winter assortment this season has been small and productive.
.. It's not that we lack competent waders, or that the cold water is a problem, nor is it a lack of manly stuff; rather it's the legs.
..They begin to wobble after a couple of hours and we'd rather fall in a pile of soft snow than a puddle of cold wet water.
.. This locality is where the river begins to broaden out. The braided discharge channels from Quake Lake coalesce into the hundred mile riffle right here. Wading can provide access to some wonderful places. And the shoreline is probably not the preferred place. But there are fish to be had and the scenery is wonderful.

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Follow The Neighbors

THEY SEEM TO KNOW

Scope Out The Environs

some really big images

WWS - #2d

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.. The neighbors are pretty cagey folks. They know where and when to fish. They know how to get there, and usually don't say much about it.
.. If you see two vehicles abandoned in an out-of-the-way area - near water - you better rig up.
.. Of course three's a crowd in some areas. But not in others. The Madison River is still fishing very well at Raynolds Pass.
.. The neighbors don't mind the drive in the winter. This winter it's about like summer driving. Even the access road is passable in two-wheel drive.
.. Small streamers, buggy grubs, wet flies, and nymphs will fill your dance card even in mid day.
.. The midges have slowed down just a bit, but the fish don't seem to mind.
.. Although the days are warm, (to 40 degrees,) the nights are cold enough to keep a bit of snow on the ground.
.. The trails to the river are well worn and the post-holes few, far between, and shallow at worst.
.. The resident sheep are licking salt off the road and do not seem to mind posing for a portrait. Maybe we'll go back tomorrow.

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