Current Conditions:
Caddis! The hatch is happening right now, but, the flows are also being raised slowly in small increments of 100 CFS or so. Depending on how long and in what capacity the flows keep raising may affect the intensity and duration of the hatch. Even with the bumping flows the fish are still keying on dry flies. Tandem nymph rigs have been ok, but not stellar. Streamer dragging has also just been ok as well.
The best way to fish the Lower Madison at the moment is to give the caddis till mid day to get going and then choose your favorite float or area to park and wade and go for it. The next few weeks are great for local anglers on the Lower Madison. Because the Missouri River is fishing very well right now, many local anglers are making the drive to find those fish rather than fishing the Lower...so not to busy out there right now.
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.
If the caddis hatches are minimal--but that haven't been...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
Elk Hair caddis in size 14 or 16
Para PMX in size 14 or 16
Blooms caddis in size 14 or 16
CDC caddis emerger 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 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.