Fishing Report

Lower Madison

From below Ennis Lake to the headwaters of the Missouri River is the stretch known as the lower Madison River. It cruises through the Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness Area and can get gnarly before calming down and widening out on its final stretch into Three Forks. There, it meets the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River.

June 3, 2023

Lower Madison

fishing report

--Reminder!! Warm Springs fishing access is closed!-- The river is high and off color but is still fishing well! Target structure on the banks, soft inside edges, as well as the downstream seams of islands and behind large exposed boulders. In the morning and mid day, streamer fishing and indicator nymphing have been great options. For streamers, a Mini Dungeon in Black, the Rusty Trombone, and sparkle minnows. For nymph rigs, try a Dark Turkey Back Cray, or sparkle minnow followed by your favorite worm pattern, a hot beaded nymph in 12-16, caddis pupa patterns, or a yellow sally in 12-16! Fish have been looking up in the afternoon along the banks, a royal chubby in size 10 or 12 with a nymph dropper or an elk hair caddis has been catching fish. Be careful wading as the water is high!!!

Suggested Fly Patterns

  • Dry Fly

    Parachute Adams (16-20), Purple Haze (16-20), Chubby Olive, Royal, Pink (10-16), Sparkle Dun (16-20), Griffiths Gnat (16-20), Extended Body BWO (16-20), X-Caddis Olive, Tan (12-16), Missing Link Caddis Dark, Olive, (12-18), Film Critic (16-18)

  • Streamer

    Mills Cowbell Cray Tan/ Olive/ Rust (6), Turkey Back Cray Dark, Light (8), Beadhead Rubber Leg Krystal Bugger Brown/Olive/Black (6-10), Hale Bopp Leech (10), Mini Peanut Yellow/ Tan/ Brown (6), Swim Coach Black and Purple (2), Nancy P Tan/ Olive (6) Shultz'y Sculpin Olive (4), Strolis Micro Head Banger (8)

  • Nymph

    Pheasant Tail (12-20), BH Hare’s Ear (8-20), Lightning Bug Purple, Silver, Blue (12-16) Black Blowtorch (12-16), Hare's Ear Blowtorch (14-16), Juju Baetis (16-20), Quilldigon Natural, Yellow, Pink (16-18) Iron Sally (12-16), Worms Patterns, Shagedelic Mop

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