Fishing Reports · Spring Fishing ·Mar 26, 2024

March Madness

MARCH 2024

UPDATED 3/26/2024

As of March 26th, the Ennis town ramp and Windy Point are still closed. Varney Bridge to the Lake is now barbless only, be sure to pinch your barbs.

Cold rain and snow is imminent as we approach the latter half of the week. High winds are expected up until Friday with this weekend looking reasonably warm with more chances for snowfall. In terms of snowpack, the Madison basin is sitting comparatively well compared to the rest of the state. The USDA is reporting us at 83% for the snowpack and the Bureau of Reclamation is reporting that Hebgen Reservoir is currently 85.1% full. The river is running low with 1050 CFS recorded at Cameron. It’s bony from the flats all the way to the lake so pump up your raft or ditch a buddy if you’re planning on floating this week.

Fishing has been consistent on both the Upper and Lower Madison over the last week. Nymphing, streamers, and dry flies are all producing fish. Most of the fish we’re picking off right now are in deep slow buckets with the occasional trout surprising you in fast, shallow water. Dry fly action upcountry has been excellent in the midst of heavy snowfall. Streamer success has been defined by slow strips after letting your fly sink into the zone. We're by no means reinventing the wheel this time of year. Nymphing with stoneflies, worms and eggs will give you the best chance at a beautiful Montana brown trout!

Hot Flies:

Streamers: Mayer’s Hot Head Mini Leech Olive (#14), Squirrely Little Bugger Black (#8), Jig Slum Lord Black, Slump Buster Black (#6), BH Wooly Bugger Peacock (#8).

Dry Flies: Mini Hot Mayfly Black (#18), Mini Hot Mayfly Olive (#18), Midge Adult (#18), Parachute Adams (#16), Comparadun BWO (#18).

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs Black (#6 - #8), Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee (#6 - #8), Spanish Perdigon Rodrigues Black (#16), Jig CDC Prince (#14), Jig Tungsten Pink Worm (#16), Jig San Juan Worm Wine (#14), Jig Pink Egg (#16), Hot Bead Pink Egg (#16).