August 12 2023 Upper Madison Fishing Report
Date: 08/12/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
We are headed back into a more normal weather pattern for the upcoming week which translates to some hot and dry days ahead. This should get the fish on the upper Madison eating hoppers with more regularity in the next few days. The past week has been "hit and miss" with hoppers, but productive with smaller dries like micro-Chubby Chernobyl-style dries, Spruce Moth patterns, and a variety of ant patterns fished from the boat along the gentle troughs and various mid-river buckets. Nymphing has been consistent with Rubberlegs and small droppers such as $3 Dips when the sun is out and Rainbow Warriors when the clouds dominate. Expect that dry fly bite to get better this week as the water flows and temps are good and that sun should help dry the surrounding bank side vegetation out even more which will lead to more hoppers congregating near the river.
We offer full day guided fly-fishing trips on the Upper Madison using drift boats, servicing the entire river from Raynold's Pass to Ennis Lake. Learn more about our guided fly-fishing options or book now by clicking on any of the booking buttons throughout the site.
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan Morrish Hopper
Purple Chubby Chernobyl
Upper Madison River Fishing
The Madison River is widely regarded as the premier Montana fly-fishing river. It originates in Yellowstone National Park at the point where the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers meet. The river flows northwards and merges with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers to eventually form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.
The upper Madison River is the stretch between the outlet of Quake Lake and the mouth of Ennis Lake. The river is an incredibly productive and unique blue-ribbon trout fishery with wild Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Brown Trout populations.
The Fins and Feathers "Upper Madison River Fishing Guide" features a comprehensive overview of the river stretches and seasonal highlights with Madison River fishing tips from our Bozeman fly fishing guide staff.