September 20, 2023 Lower Madison Fishing Report
Date: 09/20/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
It has been a bit breezy on the lower Madison the last couple of days, but we have still been getting some fish to eat hoppers during these last few days of summer. We have started to see more browns coming out of skinny water and they are definitely starting to show their Fall colors quite nicely.
As this first significant cold front settles in, we expect the hopper bite to drop off and will focus more on nymphing and streamer fishing the next few weeks. Blue Winged Olives typically show up once the temps drop and we get a week or two of cool, cloudy weather - so we still likely have a bit of time before we start fishing dries out there.
The usual suspects like crayfish and small pheasant tail variation under a strike indicator with a bit of split-shot added has been finding plenty of fish for us in the buckets and deeper runs. There are Pseudo's out in good numbers right now, but the fish rarely stay up on the surface for long when they are out. However, small nymphs like the Tailwater Tiny and Little Green Machine fished behind a crayfish or Sculpin pattern have also been finding fish during the middle of the day.
We offer full and half-day guided fly-fishing trips eon the lower Madison throughout the year. Learn more about our guided fly-fishing options or book now by clicking on any of the booking buttons throughout the site.
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Olive Tailwater Tiny
Olive Clouser Crayfish
Gray Little Green Machine
Olive and Orange Zirdle
Lower Madison River Fishing
The lower Madison River has diverse wild-trout habitats from Ennis Lake to Three Forks. Beartrap Canyon has raging whitewater through boulder fields and narrow gorges. The river flows through a rugged valley before joining with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers. Fish species include Rainbow, Westslope Cutthroat, and Brown Trout. Both novice and advanced anglers can find ample opportunities to fish.
Read the "Lower Madison River Fishing Guide" for a comprehensive introduction to fly fishing in Montana on the lower Madison River from the Bozeman fly fishing guides with Fins and Feathers.
