Current Conditions:
Flows out of Hebgen Dam are consistent but Cabin and Beaver Creeks and the West Fork are rising with the warmer temps. However, the trout on the Upper Madison River still feed in dirty water. Water temps are hovering slightly below 50 degrees F and the forecast for the week is for normal temps and normal precipitation, so expect a gradual rise in flows in the tributary streams.
Caddis can still be thick on the Upper Madison during dirty water but spring hatches of Blue Winged Olives are waning with the warmer water temps. When water temps rise above 50 degrees F caddis will hatch on the Upper Madison and look for fish to rise to caddis even in the dirty water. Stonefly nymphs are getting more and more active and will continue to be a major food source for Upper Madison River trout for the next few weeks. Like many other Montana trout fishing rivers during snowmelt runoff, aquatic worms and terrestrial worms are prevalent in rivers during this time.
As flows increase on the Upper Madison and stonefly nymphs are more active, more trout may be found along the banks or near bankside structure. Targeting slower pockets or seams with subsurface tandem rigs can be a good tactic right now.
Staff Picks for Flies:
Any large streamer pattern in which you have faith in---Home Invaders, Sex Dungeons, Kreelex Minnows, etc in sizes 2 through 6.
Pat's Rubberlegs in any contrasting color pattern in size 8-12
SJ wormies or your favorite worm pattern in sizes 8-14
Rainbow Warriors in size 14 and 16
Super Pupa in size 12-16
Perdigon in size 14-20
Little Green Machines in your fav color and size
Mini Loop Sculpin in a your choice of color in size 2-6
Elk Hair caddis in size 16
Crime Scene caddis in size 16
The weeks ahead:
Because rainbow trout are still spawning in some areas of the river, be cautious and avoid wading on redds. As the water on the Upper Madison begins to get a little dirty with runoff it is harder to spot redds, but still be on the lookout for areas of small gravel that looks to have been brushed clean.