Current Conditions:
The mild early winter has resulted in some nice off season fishing on the Lower Madison River. Trout are most active in the afternoon and are heavily concentrated in a few deeper buckets with slower flows. Nymph fishing is most productive right now but swinging or slow stripping streamers is also worth a try. Then normal Lower river staples of crayfish, worms, egg patterns and smaller mayfly numphs are all you need to cycle through. It is more important to focus on the right time of day and where you are fishing. Keep in mind the takes are subtle and fish aren't moving much so make sure you brush up on your technical nymphing game.
The Month Ahead:
The Lower Madison should continue to fish great as we move deeper into fall. Expect to find trout becoming more and more concentrated in holding buckets as water temperatures drop.