August 26, 2023 Upper Madison Fishing Report
Date: 08/26/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
A lot of volatile weather made for some tougher days on the upper Madison last week, but things seem to have settled for a few days and the forecast is looking ideal for a few days. The wind, more than anything, made for tough fishing for the float anglers while wade anglers in the Raynolds and $3 Bridge area had a bit easier week of it. Expect to find fish eating hoppers and ants the next few days in the stretches between Raynolds and Varney. Mid-day nymphing with small nymphs such as a Prince Nymph followed by a Crystal Dip or Little Green Machine will produce in the troughs and around the large rocks as well. However, if the wind is down and the sun is out, we will likely be fishing a mid-sized hopper with a small perdigon-style nymph about 2' below it down the middle of the river, looking for some of this larger fish eating dries.
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
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Tungsten Jigged Prince
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.
