Lower Madison for Longer Trout

All summer the upper Madison River gets hammered. The lower Madison, from below the unfortunately warming effect of Ennis Reservoir down to the Jefferson confluence, draws locals early and late in the day with the tricky waters of the Beartrap Canyon the drift of choice. Forget this stretch now, it's got five foot tall standing waves and requires a skilled river guide. Until the famous Mother's Day caddis hatch draws anglers from everywhere, you catch more on the downstream drift and wade sections with put ins at Beartrap, Greycliff, and Cobblestone for big browns that do better in warmer water than rainbows upstream.

The reasons the lower Madison offers the best chance at a large brown are less pressure, summer warming and algae that sends most anglers to the upper section and a much greater variety of habitat that better offers deep holes, and runs along the cliffs. The upper Madison River is, after all, pretty much one 50-mile long riffle.

Fly fishing now divides into drowning muddlers and streamers that imitate sculpin or crayfish, and some amazingly large dark nymphs with tempting rubber legs that replicate salmon fly nymphs. Fishing down, deep and across with muddlers and such does offer chances at bigger fish.

There is some surface action all year. If the usual size 12 o4 14 Elk Hair Caddis doesn't do the job, switch to an attractor like a Parachute Royal Coachman or a "cigar butt" size muddler or spuddler.

Lure fishers can do very well with black or copper Kastmasters and other dark spoons that probe the deep holes. Dark spinners cover the shallow water around boulders and along undercut banks. Tan and dark brown crappie jigs fished solo or in pairs do nicely along undercut banks were trailing cottonwood roots snag expensive lures. Single barbless hooks are always a good idea, and required in some Madison stretches - see special regulations.

Both waders and fly fishers can do well from drift boats or the bank. The latter requires reasonable flows: so you simply scout the water from the east bank road. If flows are high consider a guided day you can book in Ennis. Guides are a good idea on the first days of trips for anyone new to the Madison because they know when to fish what where.

TIP: if you wade get away from the bridge at Beartrap and try to get across the river to the west bank, as most waders walk down from the east bank road n Norris and Three Forks.

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