Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Current Upper Madison River Fly Fishing Report
Updated 08/05/2026
Current Flow: ~ 1230 CFS @ Kirby Ranch near Cameron & 1480 CFS @ Ennis
The Upper Madison has been fishing well lately, but it has definitely been a little day-to-day depending on heat, pressure, and where you are on the river. Flows out of the dam have been pretty consistent, and the fishing has been good overall. We’re still finding good fishing, especially early, but there have been some midday slowdowns.
Dry-dropper fishing has been one of the better programs throughout the river. The fish are starting to key in more on hoppers, ants, and beetles, and there are a good amount of hoppers along the banks now. You can start hearing them mid to late morning, and on breezy days, especially in the afternoons before or after storms, fish are definitely starting to look for those terrestrials. Thunder Thighs Hoppers, Henneberry Hoppers, Morrish Hoppers, Water Walkers, smaller Chubby Chernobyls, Micro Chubbies, Royal Chubbies, Ant Acids, Parachute Ants, beetles, Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis, and X-Caddis are all good options right now.
Nymphing is still a good call, especially if you’re getting flies down into deeper riffles, buckets, and slots where fish are holding during the hotter parts of the day. Rubberlegs with a smaller flashy dropper below it has been a really solid setup. Pat’s Rubberlegs, Girdle Bugs, smaller stonefly nymphs, Frenchies, Blowtorches, Lightning Bugs, Duracells, Spanish Bullets, Shop Vacs, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, PMD nymphs, caddis nymphs, and smaller perdigons are all worth having in the box. On bright sunny days, lighter tippet can help, but make sure you’re still able to land fish quickly and not overplay them in the heat.
Streamer fishing has honestly been pretty decent lately, even on some of the sunny days. Early mornings have been the best window, but if you get clouds, wind, or weather later in the day, it can be worth throwing them again. Sparkle Minnows, Mini Dungeons, Baby Gongas, Woolly Buggers, Zonkers, sculpin patterns, and olive, black, or white streamers are all good options. We’re looking at a very warm week, with temps in Ennis pushing into the 90s again, so keep checking water temps as the day goes on. Below Eight Mile FAS is still under a hoot owl restriction down to Ennis Reservoir, meaning no fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight. With cooler nights, that stretch can still fish well early, but be done by 2 and pay attention to temps before then. For our guide trips, we’re still starting early, getting off early, and even moving some trips to half days to keep pressure off fish during the hottest part of the day.
Learn More About Fly Fishing the Upper Madison River
The Upper Madison River is one of the most iconic trout fisheries in the West and a cornerstone of fly fishing near Bozeman. Flowing out of Hebgen Lake, this tailwater provides cold, consistent flows and excellent water clarity throughout much of the year. Because of this, the Upper Madison remains a dependable option even during spring runoff when many nearby freestone rivers become off-color or difficult to fish.
Known for its healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout, the Upper Madison offers a mix of fast riffles, long runs, and classic pocket water that fish well across a variety of techniques. Whether you’re nymphing deeper seams, throwing dry flies during seasonal hatches, or covering water with streamers, the Upper Madison rewards anglers who stay mobile and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day.
Where to Fish the Upper Madison River
The most well-known stretches of the Upper Madison include the “50 Mile Riffle” between Lyon’s Bridge and Ennis, along with easy access points all along the river. These sections offer a wide range of water types and consistent fish populations, making them ideal for both wade anglers and float trips. The entire river provides excellent access and opportunities, with different sections fishing better depending on flows, weather, and time of year.
👉 Explore Our Complete Upper Madison River Fly Fishing Guide
Book a Guided Fly Fishing Trip on the Upper Madison River
A guided fly fishing trip on the Upper Madison River is one of the best ways to experience classic Montana trout fishing while maximizing your time on the water. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides spend countless days each season on the Upper Madison and understand how to adjust flies, techniques, and locations based on current river conditions.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the fundamentals or an experienced angler wanting to dial in your approach, we tailor every trip to your goals. From covering miles of productive water on a float trip to breaking down key holding water while wading, the Upper Madison offers one of the most consistent and rewarding guided fishing experiences in Southwest Montana.