up2nogood

If I didn't know better it sounds like Wade Lake in Montana, but the state record was 29 lbs. ,and was caught in 1966. Wade Lake does have big browns, but all I really catch there is rainbows, once in awhile a small brown. Your lake sounds much like Wade Lake.

I hope so to, that is why I am asking, no experience with longer lighter rods, limited nymph fishing, as I said I spend more time in a pontoon boat, but want to change that.

Getting a guide is a great way to learn the river and techniques, but I have to disagree with the "need a guide/drift boat to fish the Upper Madison" part. The upper madison above Lyons Bridge is dynamite wading. In fact, Fish & Game does not even allow fishing from drift boats in the stretch from Raynold's Bridge to Lyons Bridge. There is also ample public access in this 9 mile stretch. I really like the $3 Bridge area. This stretch usually fishes well, even during higher flows. If it is up and off-color, fish big rubberlegs and worms tight to the banks. Also, the stretch of river between Hebgen and Quake lakes is clear all year and has great fishing. The West Fork of the Madison and some of its tributaries also fish quite well and are easy wading. Just have bear spray if you venture off the Madison itself...Grizzlies are around. As for the private land issue, as long as you stay below the high water mark and access at the river at a legal access point, it is illegal for landowners to harass you regardless of whether they own the land or not. Contact the Fish and Game for more info on the stream access law. The best advice I can give is to get a River Rat map of the river (riverratmaps.com). They are by far the best maps and show all of the access points as well as public and private land for the entire length of the river from Hebgen lake to the Missouri headwaters. I agree, I stay at Slide Inn every summer, never needed a guide, but out of a guide boat would certainly be a great way to fish the Madison many do it below Lyons. I spend most of my time fishing the Madison between Slide, and Raynolds , and between Raynolds ,and Three Dollar. All that area is the wade section, there are no boats, well actually you can float it ,but you can't fish from the boat.

Considering building another fly rod, been several years since I built one. What I am considering is a 10' 4 weight out of an IM6 blank, nothing real expensive. What I want to use this rod for mostly is nymphing , most of the rivers I will fish with this rod will be in Montana, The Missouri, Madison, Beaverhead ,etc. Is this rod going to be a little light for these rivers, caught a lot fish up there with a 9' 5 weight, never seemed to be a problem. My other consideration for the rod would be to use it in my pontoon boat, I actually fish stillwater more then I do the rivers. Hoping to hear from guys that nymph fish with a light 10' rod. I have to think I will like it out of a pontoon boat, having the extra length to cast . Thanks for any insight on this