Current Conditions:
The Lower Madison is very close to having caddis hatch in good numbers right now...but not yet. This time of year when there is no caddis that means there may very well be Blue Winged Olives. For dry fly fishing target the banks or slower runs and wait until later in the day to give time for the mayfly nymphs to get active and then hatch. Streamer anglers typically love this time of year on the Upper Madison and target the slowest, deepest runs possible. By now many of the big fish have migrated from bankside structure and have moved into buckets and runs out into the river.
Flows are still good for walking and wading into Bear Trap canyon and anglers willing to hike will find some good action.
Best flies are similar to last weekend....see below for our shop staff picks for the week.
Bear Creek and Cherry Creek won't be dumping as much, if any color, with the cold temps. If they are then consider going a little larger with your fly selection or choose something with a little color...like, maybe, just maybe, a firebead or worm pattern.
Since it is not really "the time" for caddis just yet, hatches of midges are a daily occurrence, but fish most likely won't key on hatching adults until later in the afternoon. To find fish feeding on the surface on hatching midges, target slower areas where mats of adult midges have accumulated. Blue Winged Olive mayfly hatches should increase in the coming weeks as well. flows and the onset of some spring hatches are the latest from the Lower Madison River near Bozeman and Ennis
Staff Favs for Lower Madison flies right now:
Pat's Rubberlegs or favorite stonefly nymph in sizes 8-12
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
And....if you get lucky.....Super Pupa in size 16 or Elk Hair Caddis in size 12 or 14
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 consistent float and wade fishing opportunities near Bozeman through March and early April. Hatches of March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, and some early season stoneflies can all occur. Expect flows to 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.