This is always a good winter choice as long as the wind isn’t blowing too hard. Severe cold snaps can also cause the river to slush up but the weather has still been mild enough to produce good fishing and even a few rising fish over midge hatches. The Lower Madison has been outstanding on good days and good enough on slow days.
The Lower has been a consistent producer recently and should hold form into the heart of winter. The trout are already moving into the slower and deeper runs so make sure to stop and work this type of water. Most of the faster riffles will be devoid of trout. Float fishing isn’t as productive but using a boat to hop from run to run isn’t a bad idea. Nymphing is the best option but slow stripping streamers can also produce. For nymphs something big on top is still a good idea and options include a sculpin, crayfish, yuk bug or san juan worm. Smaller patterns as a dropper include small pink lightning bugs, cdc baetis nymphs, pheasant tails, midges, and egg patterns. Some dry fly action on midges can also be an option on mild days, especially closer to Bear Trap. Big cold snaps are starting to arrive and when subzero temps hit the river slushes up and becomes tough to fish.
The Month Ahead:
The Lower fishes well most of the winter. Severe cold snaps can send slush down the river and the wind can really howl on some days so checking the wind forecast is always a good idea.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
Basically a broken record of the information above. Midge hatches get stronger later in the winter otherwise, it is a pretty similar game on the Lower in the cold weather months.