Short Takes

HEBGEN BREACH
MAKES BEACHES

Madison River This Fall

other fine places

.. There are new beaches for the viewing and fishing. The low water levels from the Hebgen Dam breach have exposed beaches that are usually not available for fishing at this time of year. Depending on the rate of fill for the reservoir, this should be a boon for Fall fishers.
.. The expansive beaches around the Happy Hour Bar are gaining much attention from some of our neighbors. Gulpers are still active and are especially hungry. Enormous pods of fish are cruising the inshore waters of Rainbow Point.
.. These fish are wonderfully indiscriminate in their feeding habits. A double fly rig with a small soft hackle and floating nymph will bring quite a few fish to shore.
.. Evening time, and through an hour after sunset are highly productive. Don't kick the lawn chairs or step in the worm cans. Build a fire just before dark and enjoy the stars.
.. As the reservoir level stabilizes the parked spawners at the Madison River delta will begin a more vigorous ascent of the river. A bit of cool weather would surely help.
.. There are also some nice Rainbows that have already made their way to the plunge pool at the base of Gibbon Falls. Swing a streamer in the cavitation eddy if you can cast that far.
.. Remember to report tagged fish and avoid the area around the fish weir near Baker's Hole.
.. This year's dry Fall weather has kept flows low in our rivers and streams. Fish are concentrated in dark water, beneath undercuts, and in the shade on our smaller tributaries. They are occasionally "joyously large," as one neighbor puts it.
.. Cabin Creek, Duck Creek, Obsidian Creek, Indian Creek, Cougar Creek, and Grayling Creek are all fishing exceptionally well right now. Terrestrials and soft hackles, (sunken or floated,) will exercise your reel if not your backing.
.. Indian Summer provides an exceptional time to avoid the rabid trophy fisher. A stroll along a small creek, with casts of 15' or less, probing the bushes and undercuts between shallow pools is a fine way to fish the neighborhood.
.. The run is on -- but it's still a trickle. There's plenty of cold fog, mist, drizzle, rain, and snow in the coming weeks. That's the time for stories and trophies.
.. It's time for breakfast: SOS, a quart of milk, and blueberry pancakes for desert. It'll take some fishing to get rid of that.