Lower Madison River Fishing Report

1370 @ Ennis - The Lower Madison caddis hatch is back on. Fish have been rising throughout the day, but the evening hours bring the most fish to the surface. Look along the banks and shade lines for rising fish. Subsurface action has been hot as well. Try a crayfish pattern, pheasant tail, or caddis pupa.

Recommended Flies:

G6 Caddis #16
Shop Vac #16
Goddard Caddis #16
EZ Caddis #14
Dead Drift Crayfish #8

1520 CFS @ Ennis - The Mother's Day caddis hatch is here. Fish have been rising throughout the day but the evening hours bring a lot more fish to the surface. Look along the the banks and shade lines for rising fish. Nymphing has also been hot with crayfish patterns, San Juan worms and caddis larvae.

Recommended Flies:

1190 CFS @ Ennis - Flows on the Lower Madison River have actually dropped over the past few days and the river is in great shape. Caddis are out in big numbers but the best dry fly fishing has certainly been in the evenings. Get out and enjoy it while you can. The cooler weather predicted over the weekend may slow things down. There are also plenty of March Browns.

Recommended Flies:

Parachute Caddis #14
Royal Wulff #10
CDC Caddis Emerger #16
Caddis Pupa #16
SH Hares Ear #16

1490 CFS @ Ennis - The Lower Madison has Caddis! The last few days of warm afternoon weather have brought on the beginning of the Caddis Hatch on the Lower Madison river. Dry fly fishing has been sporadic but will typically be better in the later afternoons once the bugs return to the water. There are also still plenty of March Browns and a few baetis around. Nymphing has still been good with worm, egg or crayfish patterns trailed with caddis or baetis emergers of some sort. Dry fly fishing should pick up as the weather warms up a bit.

Recommended Flies:

Elk Hair Caddis #14
Parachute Caddis #12
SH Hare's Ear #14
Delekta Worm #12
Sparkle Pupa #16

1590 @ Ennis - The Lower Madison is still a great option although the fishing has been a little spotty over the past few days. Wind has been the biggest factor but as that settles down, look for the possibility of Caddis maybe next week. Baetis are still around when the wind dies down. Nymphing has still been the best option and most consistent. Water clarity is good at the moment.

Recommended Flies:

Clouser Cray #8
Rubberlegs #8
Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #14
Egg Pattern #16
Master Baetis #16

1170 CFS @ Ennis Lake - The Lower Madison has a bit of color in it suddenly over the past few days making the fishing a bit tougher than earlier in the week. The flows have pretty consistent so the color must be coming from the winds we had recently. Look for the color to improve over the next few days and the fishing to pick up. Baetis and March Browns have still been the story out there but dry fly fishing has been tough overall. The weather conditions over the next week look good for the fishing to improve, but still not warm enough yet for us to start seeing caddis. If we get a warm spell, caddis won't be far behind. For now, nymph fishing with a larger crayfish or stone fly pattern with a small baetis or soft hackle of some kind will be the most productive.

Recommended Patterns:

Clouser Crayfish #8
DB Hares Ear Stone #10
SH Hare's Ear #14
Mighty May Baetis #16
Thorax Baetis #18