Lower Madison Fly Fishing Reports
March 5, 2023 Lower Madison Fishing Report
Date: 03/05/2023
Current Conditions
The winter weather really has given us very little reprieve! Fishing everywhere is "ok" right now but the above-freezing periods are short or non-existent most days - a trend that looks to be around for at least another week. Expect to find in slower water, eating a variety of nymphs including egg variations, sowbug, scuds, midges, and Crayfish imitations fished under a strike indicator. There will be some fish rising to midges along the edges - I would wait until later in the day to go look around as the cold nights are keeping plenty of slush ice on the surface, early in the day.
Flows
1560 CFS
On 2023-3-5
Streamflow
Click to enlarge
Montana Fly Fishing Packages
Fins & Feathers of Bozeman’s Montana fly fishing packages offer convenience and value by bundling our guided services together with lodging options in Bozeman. Check out the example pricing - based on double occupancy in the rooms and with one of our Bozeman fly fishing guides. E-mail us or fill out our contact form to make a reservation and confirm availability.
Please note that availability is extremely limited during the summer, we strongly encourage you to make reservations sooner, rather than later. Our deposit policy is the "friendliest in the industry" in that we don't require payment ($1.00) at booking and all reservations can be cancelled - with no penalty up to 10 days prior to your scheduled arrival date.
Madison River Spring Special
In 2023, we are offering a special on Spring Madison River guided fly-fishing trip on the upper river. These trips typically take place near Ennis, Montana and will last anywhere from 6-8 hours, conditions dependent. We float a stretch of the river that is usually 8-10 miles long, focusing most of our angling efforts on working water while wading less accessible parts of the river. E-mail us for more information or click on the "Book Now" buttons to make your reservation online.
- Start Time Between 8-9 AM
- 1-2 Anglers Maximum Per Guide/Boat
- Float Trip with Wade-Fishing Throughout the Day
- Trip Ends Between 3-5 PM
- Special Offer Available on Trips that occur between March 1 - April 15, 2023
- Upper Madison River near Ennis, Montana (about 1 hour drive from Bozeman)
- Recommended for anglers of intermediate or higher fly-fishing skill levels
(Price includes use of rods, reels, waders, boots, flies, and terminal tackle. Lunches, specialty drinks, gratuity, licenses are not included.)
Learn MoreFins & Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting fly-anglers across Montana since 2000. We sold our fly shop (Fins & Feathers of Bozeman at 4-Corners) to our friends at Yellow Dog Fly Fishing in late 2022. Our guide service remains the same and continues to be outfitted by Toby Swank, Montana Outfitter #9603.
For Shuttles on the Lower Madison Contact:
Bob's Shuttles: (406) 595-0587
Space Shuttle: (406) 518-1799
The lower Madison River is considered to be the Madison River from below Ennis Lake, downstream to the headwaters of the Missouri River. This section of the Madison flows through the Beartrap Wilderness Area in a narrow gorge characterized by some serious whitewater and difficult access. Once the river leaves the Beartrap Canyon, the river dramatically changes character, becoming wider with a seemingly gentle flow all the way to Three Forks, where it joins the Jefferson River and Gallatin River to form the Missouri River.