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

Fishing is still really good. BWO nymphs and dries will make a big impact on rainy days.

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 4/15/24

A little rain and clouds to start the week then back to beautiful spring like weather. Good fishing ahead.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/15/24

Getting sub surface is still the best bet for numbers. Think blue winged olives dries on cloudy afternoons.

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):
Micro Egg orange 10
Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail olive 16
Vernille San Juan Worm red 10
Bead Head Brassie™ Brass 14
Perdigon Black 16
Goomie worm pink 12
Lightning Bug silver 16
Sparkle Dun Natural 16
zebra midge black 16
Otters soft egg orange 10

Micro Egg

Increase your catch rate with this micro egg trout fly.

2.49

Item #12A6

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, eggs, midge larva, BWO stone fly nymphs

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