Chironomidae
Midges are small flies that cover a wide range of insects comprising a large portion of trout diets. They include non-biting midges, mountain midges, sandflies, net-winged midges and many others.
Midges can come in a variety of colors including brown, tan, black, olive, and even red. Be sure to have flies in sizes #16-#20, and if you’re on a tailwater, try even smaller hook sizes.
During colder winter and early spring months, these hatches can save a day of fly fishing when they typically come off the water in the afternoon when the temperatures are warmer. Until the prime air and water temperatures are reached for hatching, fish with larvae imitations subsurface in the morning, then try your luck with pupae, emergers, and adults.
The lower Madison River has prolific madge hatches with exceptional dry fly fishing in February and March. Whether nymph fishing with pupae patterns or working steady risers with cluster imitations, fly fishing a midge hatch on a guided trip is a great way to improve your skills.
Be on the lookout for slow moving pools that are often deep. While midges are most often found on tailwaters like the Missouri and Bighorn, all Montana rivers can see midge hatches when the conditions are right. Depuy's Spring Creek of Paradise Valley can see midge hatches year-round thanks to their consistently warmer water temperatures.
Of course, the weather is a wild card when fishing midges so be prepared for everything from sunny and 50 degrees to snow blowing sideways.
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Category: Lower Madison River Fishing Information
Winter Fishing the Lower Madison
Post Date: 01/03/2024
The Lower Madison River is a great destination for fly fishing in Montana during the winter. Snow doesn't accumulate much along the riverbanks and the river rarely freezes. Located just...
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