As spring arrives in Montana, anglers fishing the Lower Madison River need to be prepared for variable water clarity. Melting snow and spring rainstorms, often muddy the river's tributaries, including Ennis Lake.
However, good fishing is still possible with the right fly selection. When the water gets dirty, try these five, time-tested fly patterns for consistent Madison River fishing success.
No list of favorite spring flies is complete without the ever-reliable San Juan Worm. The San Juan Worm perfectly imitates aquatic worms stirred up by rising, turbid water. The hot pink color works well year-round but is especially deadly after a spike in river flows.
Crayfish thrive in the Lower Madison River and are an important food source for Montana fish. As water temperatures warm in the spring, crayfish become active, and trout key in on them. When the water hits 2000 cfs and starts to turn dirty, tie on a Clouser Crayfish. This fly proves over and over to be a fish-catcher in off-color water.
The Pat’s Rubberleg nymph was designed for dirty water success. The fly's profile allows it to roll nicely through shallow Madison runs, while the weight gets it down quickly in deeper buckets. Trout take it for both crayfish and stonefly nymphs. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides use these in Black or Brown colors in size 6 while flyfishing Montana during the early stages of high water.
Many anglers love streamer fly fishing the Madison River in the early season, but cold water makes the technique less effective than dead-drift nymph fishing. Instead, drift a Zonker under an indicator. The fly's buggy profile draws aggressive strikes from trout in both clear and dirty water conditions. We often fish the Zonker in White, Copper, or Olive colors in size 6 during high water on our lower Madison day trips.
The Zirdle combines the best attributes of many classic fly patterns into one deadly fly. It sinks and can also cover the shallows, without snagging the bottom. In dirty Madison water, the Zirdle’s muted color scheme still stands out as a crayfish or baitfish imitation. Keep a stock of these flies handy all spring and fall.
Dirty water on the Lower Madison might seem to hamper the fishing this river offers. However, by adjusting techniques and fly selections for the conditions, anglers can find success amidst the spring runoff. Be flexible, experiment often, and keep a variety of off-color specialist flies on hand for success while fly fishing in Montana during high-water.
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