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

Madison River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

John Way's Tip of the Week

Nice cool weather has made the dry fly fishing hang in there. Still some darn good dry fly fishing.

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 7/23/25

Seasonal summer weather for the Madison Valley on tap. As long as we do not see multiple days in the 90's we should be good.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/23/25

Dry fly fishing is our favorite. The nymph guys are getting some good numbers.

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):
CDC Caddis Tan 14
Elk Wing Caddis Tan 14
Yellow Sally Yellow 10
Pale Morning Dun Thorax PMD 14
Perdigon Black 16
Micro chubby peacock 12
Fly Formerly Known As Prince Peacock 14
Foam Park Hopper Pink 10
X caddis tan 16
Purple haze purple 14

CDC Caddis

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Item #17X1

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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:

Golden stones, yellow sallies, Hopper, ant, caddis and PMD

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