August 16, 2023 Upper Madison Fishing Report
Date: 08/16/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The hot weather of the last few days has "cooled" off the bit just a bit on the upper Madison. We have been getting on the water early and finding fish eating hoppers as soon as the sun gets on the water, Things have been slowing down around noon with the bite becoming more "spotty". We have been fishing ants and rusty spinners too, later in the day and finding a few rises here and there. We really haven't been nymphing much the last few days as the focus this time of the year is on seeing those big, slow takes on the dry. We have been getting some fish on the dropper as well, fishing a smaller Pheasant Tail variation or Caddis Pupa a couple feet under the hopper.
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
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Recommended Flies
Purple Chubby Chernobyl
Red $3 Dip
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.