Last Updated on Monday, 13 June 2011 11:01

June 12, 2011

The water level on the Madison River is currently at or above 4700 cfs and the fishing has been fairly food if you stick to nymph fishing and keep your nymphs on the bottom as best you can.  The water clarity is not very good, anywhere from muddy to tea stained but who cares if you're catching them.  Small baetis in the size 20 range will work during the day on back eddies and slicks.

April 5, 2011

Stay away from the section between the two lakes on the weekend it can be over crowded.  The section of river from McAtee Bridge to eight mile is floatable but the fishing has been slow.  Quake to McAtee still remains closed.

March 25, 2011

The river flows as of this date are around 380 csf which is perfect for nymphing all along the river.  Right now you really can get out into the river and hit those spots that are holding good trout.  Keep you eyes open for feeding trout, if you see them their probably loading up on BWO's and you should have a good selection on hand.  Aside from that it's a double nymph rig of your choice.  Please keep in mind that there are sections on the Maddy that are closed this time of year and there are sections like the one between Hebgen and Quake that are open year round.  Check Montana F&G regulations before going up there.

August 26, 2010

The Madison River is one of the best tailwater rivers in the West and during the summer days can be the the perfect place to go.  The river has good flows right now with an excellent caddis hatch in the early evening.  Nymphing during the day will work well if you fish the river smartly.  Economise your time and fish the best holding water passing up less likely water is the best approach this time of year.  Hold on because the evening it's at.

June 20, 2010

Water levels have dropped to just under 1000 cfs and the fishing usually takes a week or so for the fish to come alive again.  Most success stories coming from the Madison have been from anglers nymphing.  Your standard large rubber legg dropped with a bead head nymph seems to be the universal rig for the Madison at theis time.  Look for PMD's and Caddis as your primary bugs as of today.

June 1, 2010

The river is a bit over 1000 cft which is just about right for easy access and for floating.  The river is fishing quite well with nymphing being the clear winner for success up and down the river.  Large nymph like a Stone Fly or a Rock Dragon dropped with a smaller bead head nymph should do the trick.  Baetis, Midges and a few March Browns are what you should expect to see this early in the year.  Few Caddis have been seen but that can change from day to day.  Fishing has been good the whole length of the river so just plan on getting there and the rest will work it's way out

April 4, 2010

The section of river between Hebgen and Quake is still your best bet at this time of year.  Anglers who have made the effort to travel to the Madison have not be disappointed.  Fishing can be slow at times but if you are smart and concentrate your effort and time on the most productive sections of the river then you can possibly have a pretty good day on the river depending on the weather.

March 22, 2010

The river between Hebgen Res. to Quake lake is open and the fishing has been pretty good.  Small nymphs that are weighted and drifted slowly though holding areas seem to be the best method for taking large trout.  The weather is the only deterrent to a good fishing day and that can be a hit or miss thing.  Cloudy days seem to offer the best fishing day.  The river is at around 700 cfs and clear.  It's still cold and if you are going to make the trip be ready for any bad weather.

October 27, 2009

Blue Winged Olives in small sizes have been catching plenty of trout in the early to late mornings.  Nymphing is still producing good trout action up and down the river.  The brown trout are beginning to spawn and the section between the lakes has been very good.  Using streamers and large nymphs for the browns  and Parachute BWO's with emergers for the rainbows has been a good combination.  The weather has been cold and the day's are getting shorter so make the most of the sun when it does appear.

October 7, 2009

The Maddy is still around 900 cfs.  With colder weather the Baetis action is picking up.  Most anglers are catching the bulk of their fish on nymphs.  Use tandem bead head nymphs with enough weight to keep your flies bouncing on the bottom.  There are still some hoppers out so don't shy away from terrestrial fishing such as a Madam X or Chernobyl Any.

September 23, 2009

The river flow is currently at 963 cfs and summer is definitely slowing down.  The river is kind of at that in between way and the fishing has not been exactly booing.  You should start seeing some BWO's but for right now its Hoppers, Beatles, and other terrestials during the day.  Nymphing will probably be more effective during the day so be prepared to do so.

September 15, 2009

Hoppers, terrestrials and nymphing are what's going on on the Madison River.  Two small bead head nymphs in tandem with enough lead to creap it along the bottom will bring the Brown's to your net.  Work the banks with your Hopper and or Chernobyl Ants.  Beatles and Black Ants will do the same.  It's getting colder now so the insect activity in the morning is slowing down.  However the water temperature is starting to drop which hopefully will get the trout out of their summer sleep.

September 4, 2009

Flying ants and Hoppers during the day and heck why not, throw some brown and orange Chernobyl ants while your at it.  The rivers currently at around 1000 cfs and clear.  Your going to see some Caddis and a few PMD spinners in the evening but not like it has been.  Still it will be worth your while to spend the evening on the river, with your fly rod of course.  During the day you want to pound the banks and tailouts with weighted nymph rigs.

August 24, 2009

The river flows on the Madison haven't changed since the last report.  So pay attention to the last report if you're going to float the river.  Anglers are catching Trout on top using Terrestrials.  You've got to have an effective Hopper patterns along with some Ants and Beatles.  Spruce Moths, Madam X, and a good supply of bead head nymphs should be in your vest.

August 17, 2009

The Madison is running right at 949 cfs The fishing has been good with a early evening Caddis hatch that has resulted in many happy anglers.  The Spruce Moth is starting to be seen 0n the river so keep your eye out on this early morning goodie.  If you are planing to drift the river the section from Lyons Bridge down to Varney can be a little bony but the section from Varney to Eight Mile Ford is floating well.  Use large foam flies like a chernobyl or terrestrial.

July 22, 2009

Caddis and PMD's are the flies that rule the river at this time.  During the slow part of the day use Stone Flies and large terrestrials with a bead head dropper.  Be sure to have a nymph rod ready when the top water action slows down.  Have enough weight to get your bugs to the bottom.

The Madison River has been very high around 1800cfs early this season. What makes it difficult is the water is pretty muddy. But the Madison still will give you a pretty good days fishing. Even thought the river is high and muddy the fishing has been pretty good. Fishing a nymph rig with the first nymph a large weighted bug dropped with a small bead head may fly or bead head caddis will do the trick. Fish the shoreline as much as possible. Be ready for a wonderful evening caddis hatch. You will need size 16 caddis emergers if you want to catch a lot of beautiful fish. Use an Elk hair caddis as a strike indicator and a small wing Caddis emerger or a CDC Caddis emerger. You may even try a strike indicator followed by two small Caddis emergers.