Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 07/10/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Lower Madison is still fishing well, but it's getting to be that time of year where getting an early start makes all the difference.
With a stretch of hot weather ahead, water temperatures are climbing fast. If you're not on the river early, there are better places to spend the afternoon. Keep an eye on conditions before heading out, and don't be afraid to wrap it up early if the water starts getting too warm.
A dry-dropper has been the best way to fish. A smaller tan or yellow chubby with a spanish bullet or PMD-style perdigon underneath has been picking up fish consistently. There are still enough caddis, PMDs, and yellow sallies around to keep a few fish looking up, but the dropper has been doing most of the work.
The Lower is in its typical mid-summer routine. Fish the morning, cover plenty of water, and let the hotter part of the day belong to one of the colder rivers around Bozeman.
Helpful Articles (click to read):
- The Best Bozeman Fly Fishing in July
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
PMD Jigster
Olive and Orange Zirdle
Dead Drift Crayfish
PMD Comparadun
Chubby Chernobyl Pteronarcys
Tan Clouser
Yellow Saly Bullet
Lower Madison River Fishing
Read the "Lower Madison River Fishing Guide" for a comprehensive introduction to fly fishing in Montana on the lower Madison River from the Bozeman fly fishing guides with Fins and Feathers.
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