Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: April 15 - October 15)

Madison River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

40

John Way's Tip of the Week

Some high water and mud with the warm weather. Think stone flies worms and sculpin patterns.

Directions open in app

Map of Madison River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Firehole Ranch
Madison Valley Ranch
The Tackle Shop Outfitters
Long Outfitting
Fins & Feathers
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 5/13/24

Looks like we are going to be in runoff mode with the creeks pumping. Still fish to be had. Think dark bodied stone flies, worms and sculpin patterns.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/13/24

Nymph fishing a sculpin pattern in dirty water is super good. If you get some clean water try the standard stone fly and worm.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: April 15 - October 15)

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Mountain Whitefish

John Way's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Giant Stone black 6
Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail olive 16
Bead Head Prince Peacock 14
Vernille San Juan Worm Red 10
Perdigon Black 16
Goomie worm pink 12
Lightning Bug silver 16
Tungsten Cone Head Woolly Bugger Black 4
Cone head sculpin Olive 4
Pats Rubber Leg Black 6

Bead Head Giant Stone

Fish this Stonefly fly pattern as if it's crawling or has become dislodged.

2.99

Item #713F

Buy Now

John Way's Recommended Gear

Description: About Madison River

The Upper Madison is know as the "Fifty Mile Rifle". It has some of the most classic trout water in the country and many anglers from all over the country have called it their favorite for years. With lots of Rainbow and Brown Trout and good fishing with nymphs, dries, and streamsrs, the Madison is a near perfect trout stream. The Madison River has great access for wade and float fisherman. There are two wade fishing only sections. The first from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. The second from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake. The most popular float section is from Lyons Bridge to McAtee Bridge.

Nearest Airport:

Gallatin Field Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana

Hatches:

Worms, stone fly nymphs, caddis nymphs, sculpin patterns

Best Time to Fish:

Mid day

Best Stretch:

Reynolds Pass or 3 Dollar Bridge for Wade fisherman. Varney to Ennis for float fisherman.

Best Access:

3 Dollar Bridge and Valley Garden