The Lower Madison starting below the the Ennis Dam is a great fishery. Great for both the wading and the floating angler. This stretch includes the well known Bear Trap Canyon, a beautiful whitewater stretch with deep pools. Then the river slows down and shallows up from the bottom of the canyon all the way to Three Forks, MT.
Hatchopedia On The Water
Best Fly: Olive Quigley Cripple
Water Conditions: Clear
Weather Conditions: Cool & Cloudy
Floated or Waded: waded
Section of Water Fished: Beartrap above Warm Springs
There appeared to be midges hatching. All the fish I landed were rising to something in the surface in slower/smooth water near large rocks, so that is why I chose the cripple pattern.
I tried a small parachute adams briefly, but didn’t really give it much of a chance. Also missed a couple while drifting a crawfish followed by a San Juan worm.
Best Fly: Madison River Clean Up
Water Conditions: NA
Weather Conditions: NA
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Warm Springs Down
Don’t miss the lower Madison river clean up tomorrow, August 28th. Sponsored by Trout U this clean up includes a BBQ and there will be extra boats. There are lots of Beer Cans in our river from the tubers, lets help keep this fishery clean. Come if you can.
Best Fly: chubbies
Water Conditions: cooling but still warm
Weather Conditions:
Floated or Waded: waded
Section of Water Fished: Norris road and up
I have been sneeking in on the clowdy days when the floaters are not so plentiful and the water temp is not so high. The trout seem to be more willing to eat then. Have pulled out a few fish, but I think the temp is still just a bit high. The fish I did catch were on Chubbies. A few hoppers being eaten but I did not swithch over.
Best Fly: small hopppers
Water Conditions: cooling
Weather Conditions: cool
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished:
Water tems are on the rise. Fish are still eating small hoppers, throwing hoppers is a blast, I wish it lasted the entire year. Chubbies have been productive as well.
Best Fly: light brown caddis
Water Conditions: warm
Weather Conditions: hot
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished:
Lots of floaters getting off the river when we were headed out (just before dusk). We had some good caddis action around that time. Too many floaters for us to really enjoy being out durring the day. The upper is fishing great and there are alot let people.