Current Conditions:
Flows on the Lower Madison are above 2,000 CFS at the moment which makes for some quick floating compared to what it has been for the past few weeks. Cherry Creek will most likely be muddy for at least a few more weeks meaning the better fishing is going to be above Cherry Creek and up into Bear Trap Canyon. For walk-and-wade anglers hiking the trail up the canyon is a good bet and there are also likely to still be some good caddis hatches occurring in the canyon. Bear Creek is probably adding some mud as well but because the large stonefly nymphs are moving around if you fish tight to the banks in Bear Trap canyon with stout tippets and short casts, adventuresome anglers can find some success.
For floating anglers trout are going to be in the usual buckets, deeper holes, and along bankside structure. Rising fish can still be found in areas where caddis are hatching but the intensity and frequency is substantially less than just a few weeks ago so it is time to adjust the tactics for floating the Lower Madison River...it is time for crayfish and large stoneflies and then smaller morsels like PTs or Little Green Machines or Perdigons trailed behind the larger fly.
Staff Favs for Lower Madison flies right now:
Pat's Rubberlegs or favorite stonefly nymph in sizes 8-12
Elk Hair caddis in size 14 or 16
Para PMX in size 14 or 16
Blooms caddis in size 14 or 16
Mini Loop Sculpin in olive or white in size 4 or 6
Parachute Adams in natural or purple in size 16 to 20
Cowbell craw in size 2-9
Little Green Machine in pheasant tail in size 12 or 12
Additionally, always consider tandem subsurface rigs with crayfish, leeches, and worms paired with a smaller beadhead nymph or scud-type pattern are often the most successful. For swinging action, consider other baitfish patterns or articulated streamers through deeper buckets and holes.
If fish are feeding on midges a size 18 or 20 Buzzball or Griffiths Gnat are go to favorites of local anglers.
The Month Ahead:
The Lower Madison often provides relatively consistent float and wade fishing opportunities near Bozeman through May. When other rivers are too high and muddy with snowmelt runoff, the Lower Madison can be a good option. Expect flows to gradually rise over the next few weeks, but compared to other rivers flows remain relatively consistent, however a large rain event or increase in daily air temperatures may cause Cherry Creek or Bear Creek to pump mud into the main stem.