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

Madison River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

52

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Tip of the Week

The Mother's Day Caddis hatch has started and should provide pretty darn good dry fly fishing over the next few weeks. A single caddis on a 9' 4x leader gets the job done. If the fish won't commit to the dry try swinging a soft hackle.

Directions open in app

Map of Madison River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Fins & Feathers
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 4/25/24

Rainy and cool into next week but temperatures up to about 65 degrees by next Wednesday.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/25/24

Nymphing or streamer fishing will keep you busy until fish start keying in on the Caddis. If it is cloudy you may find fish rising all day.

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

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Mountain Whitefish

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Jan's Trout Crayfish Tan 8-10
Elk Wing Caddis Peacock 16
Sparkle Dun Olive 18
Lightning Bug Silver, Gold 16-18
Perdigons yellow 16
Sculpzilla Natural 6-8
Blue Winged Olive olive 14-18
Vernille San Juan Worm Red 8-10
Double Gonga Tan/Yellow 6-8

Jan's Trout Crayfish

On stillwater or the trout stream, you'll get terrific results with our crayfish fly patterns.

2.99

Item #0K17

Buy Now

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Madison River

The Lower Madison offers great fishing close to Bozeman with some large fish regularly taken. Bear Trap Canyon section is a rugged wilderness area with more of a freestone feel. as the river comes out of the Trap it flows through a more agricultural landscape and provides miles of great fishing for brown and Rainbow trout.

Nearest Airport:

Gallatin Field Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana

Hatches:

Caddis, BWO's, March Browns

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

Ennis Dam to Blacks Ford

Best Access:

Ennis Dam, Beartrap Canyon trailhead