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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.
Simply perfect out here right now with moderately warm temperatures, clear skies and great river conditions.
Looks to stay very nice for the long range forecast, with a slight cool down later next week. Everything has turned green again with the recent deluge. Nights are slowly getting longer and cooler.
Flows are currently back to around 15% below the annual median after a much needed bump of fresh water from the storm. That's not a bad flow at all given the lack of snowfall in April and May. More important is the water temperature. It slid down as expected due to the overcast conditions, lower air temperatures and rain runoff, and it doesn't look like it's going to warm back up to where it was for the remainder of the year. We don't want to jinx it, but it looks like the Upper Madison River has gone yet another year without any sort of fishing restrictions issues. We are so incredibly fortunate to have this river as our home water!
Small mayflies are been very active and the fish have been eating #18 parachutes well. We are also seeing some great ant activity with the rain that has come and gone. The hoppers might get going a little bit, but don't expect too much more of them to show up as we head into September. Nocturnal stoneflies are still around! With the rain comes a worm hatch. Lots and lots of nice fish are eating worms right now. A hopper and worm for the win!
Hopper-dropper is going to be your most versatile rig throughout the day. Nymphing small beads and girdle bugs works too. Of course August is always a good month for worms too if you're into that. Don't overlook August streamer fishing as this is one of the best months of the entire year to see a giant brown trout. September is variable in terms of the most productive fishing technique. Hopefully the terrestrial game comes back strong until we get some frost. Scale it back in size with a #16-18 Parachute Adams in grey, olive, royal or purple.
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!