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August 27, 2023 Upper Madison Fishing Report

Date: 08/27/2023
Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

With the pleasant weather in the forecast the next few days, expect to have some good dry fly fishing the early part of this week. The "BIG NEW" right now is that flying ants are out and thick right now throughout the Greater Yellowstone region, including the Upper Madison, Hebgen Lake, and the Henry's Fork in Idaho. The evening fishing on the upper Madison has been getting good on flying ant patterns throughout the river. The floating angler can expect to run into good numbers of them as well and should fin fish eating them throughout the day - especially in the stretches with some trees and shrubs along the river like between Varney and Ennis Lake. These flies can be very difficult to see, so we usually fish them a couple feet behind a hopper or large attractor dry when fishing from the boat.

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

August 27, 2023 Upper Madison Fishing Report Streamflow

Flows

Recommended Flies

				  Jigged Prince TNG G Bd Pea

Tungsten Jigged Prince

				  Foam Flying Ant Schlotter Cin

Cinnamon Foam Flying Ant

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.