The Sky is Falling

Every year...about now...we start to get reports of the early arrival of the Mother's Day Caddis Hatch. Every once in awhile the report comes from a reputable source, but more times than not, this reputable source seems to have been in the only spot at the exact time when some of the bugs appeared and flew away not to be seen again for a few more days. Well, today was the day this year, but I imagine that there should be some bugs moving around pretty good in the next few days on the Yellowstone. Who knows, we may even get to fish the hatch for a few days too.

Historically, the Mother's Day Caddis hatch happens around Mother's Day...hence the name. Typiaclly it begins within a day or so of the first signifcant onslought of early run-off, thus ruining the water conditions until July. The drought of the last several years has given us several opportunities to get on the water and have several weeks of amazing conditions. This is ATYPICAL, not the norm, isn't normal...you get the idea. So, what I've learned is to really enjoy every day that I get to fish the hatch becuase it's not somthing that happens every year. If I get the chance, you can bet on seeing me on the river as it really is an amazing time of year.

I fished the Lower Madison yesterday, just a short trip in the afternoon, with marginal success. The river was quite a bit dirtier than just two days ago. I'm talking a foot of visibility and chocolate milk in color. Nevertheless, we got some fish near the banks on Clouser Cray's and San Jauns. The fish have been eating much better over there the last 4-5 days and the Caddis should be showing up over there any day now as well.