August 5 2023 Upper Madison Fishing Report
Date: 08/05/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
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.
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan Morrish Hopper
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.