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Thank you for checking out our most recent upper Madison River fishing report. It is our goal to keep this page updated on a regular basis to serve as a resource for those of you planning your visit to Montana. Please refer to the information below consisting of fishing techniques, fly patterns, Madison River flows and the weather in Ennis, Montana. We encourage you to give us a call for more information not detailed in our fishing report.
Fishing is solid right now across most of the Upper Madison. Water levels are low but steady, making for excellent wading and plenty of productive dry fly water. The big bug frenzy has tapered off, but fish are still looking up for golden stones and caddis. Afternoons have been hot, pushing the best fishing into the morning and evening. A well-placed drift and smart fly selection are more important than ever.
This week is bringing typical mid-July conditions: Daytime highs in the upper 80s and low 90s Cool mornings in the low 50s Isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible Friday through Monday. Stay hydrated and take advantage of those early hours before the sun pushes fish deep.
Kirby Gauge: 1,050 cfs Varney Gauge: 1,150 cfs Flows are sitting below seasonal average, which means clearer water and more exposed structure. Good for sight fishing and dry fly eats. Watch for sun-heated afternoon temps in the lower river that can nudge fish into slower holding water.
Golden Stones: Still going strong, especially mid-river and up toward Lyons Caddis: Thick in the evenings, starting to show earlier on cloudy days PMDs: Active mid-morning through early afternoon Yellow Sallies: Consistent along edges and seams Salmonflies: Mostly wrapped up, with a few stragglers above the Slide section Even though the salmonfly wave has moved on, trout remember and will still crush a big dry if you give them the chance.
Dry Fly: Target soft edges, inside seams, and fast riffle corners early and late. A slow twitch can trigger an eat when the drift alone won't. Dry-Dropper: Productive all day. A size 10 foam dry with a caddis pupa or PMD emerger 2–3 feet below covers a lot of water effectively. Nymphing: Midday subsurface is the go-to when fish refuse to look up. Focus on buckets, deep seams, and the tailout of riffles. Streamers: Not a numbers game right now, but good for targeting big fish during low light or when storms roll in. Keep it low and slow with neutral tones.
To simplify things, you can expect Madison River trout to eat just about every classic trout pattern ever tied depending on the time of year. Known for prolific stonefly, caddis, mayfly and midge hatches, the trout of the Madison aren't as picky as other rivers. If you get the size and color right, chances are they'll eat it so long as you have the correct presentation. Certainly there are some local secrets, but if you stock up on the basics you should be just fine!
A 5 or 6 WT fly rod is ideal for most fly fishing situations on the Madison River. The Madison Valley can be a breezy place and with such a wide river it can help to have a little extra power in your cast. We tend to prefer fast action fly rods for this reason. Your fly line is arguably more important than your fly rod though. Half size heavy weight forward floating lines are the ideal compliment to a modern fast action rod.
A slow action 3-5 WT certainly has its time and place on this river, especially during the caddis, midge and BWO hatches. 7 WT rods are commonly fished with short sink-tip fly lines and big streamers. They also come in handy during the salmonfly hatch when you're casting a 3" long foam body dry fly.
Breathable waders and sturdy boots are often a necessity during the spring and fall months. Your best soles for traction are felt with carbide tipped studs. Be aware that many Madison River fly fishing guides do not allow studs in their boats. It is rare that waders are required between June 15-September 15. During these months, some lightweight boots or water shoes/sandals are preferred.
Above all else, quality clothing and accessories for all types of weather are essential for staying comfortable during the day. Montana can throw just about any type of weather your way so be prepared with a well thought out layering system to handle the often cold mornings and warm afternoons.
Join us October 6-10 at a discounted rate for 4 nights & 3 days of guided streamer fishing. We'll fish a variety of water in hopes of landing a trophy. Expect to learn from the best and make a lot of casts!
These openings are rare and don't last long, so be quick to claim them. Just give us a call!