The change in the weather has mixed things up the past few days on the upper Madison with clouds and cooler weather replacing day after day of sizzling skies. The fish are still eating hoppers and a mixed bag of small dries, but these can be more difficult to see from the boat on overcast days so we have been nymphing more than the week before. Small stonelfy nymphs followed by a variety of small nymphs, about 6' under a strike indicator running through the mid-river troughs and boulder-seams has been the staple rig throughout the day. We have some good streamer sessions on floating lines and lightweight streamers at times the last few days as well. When we can see the hopper...we have fished it with a jig nymph dropped 2-3 feet below and finding some nice fish still earring the dry into the late afternoon.
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.
Tan Morrish Hopper
Tungsten Jigged Prince
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.