Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 02/17/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Upper Madison River is fishing fair to good right now. Cold mornings have kept things slow early, and wind has been a factor most afternoons. Midday has been the better window, especially once the sun has been on the water for a few hours.
There is still not much snow in the valley, and access around the usual wade spots has been manageable. Some shelf ice shows up in slower edges early, but it clears as the day warms.
Nymphing has been the most consistent approach. A rubberlegs paired with a small baetis nymph or zebra midge has been producing. Olive and black perdigons have also worked. Fish are holding in deeper runs and softer water. Getting down has been the difference. If your flies are not near the bottom, add weight before changing patterns.
Streamer fishing has moved some fish, especially on overcast days. Smaller sculpin patterns or leech-style flies fished slow and close to the bottom have been better than covering water quickly.
Dry fly activity has been limited. There have been short midge windows on calmer afternoons, but it has not lasted long.
Overall, the Upper is worth fishing if you plan around the warmest part of the day and stay patient with a simple nymph setup.
Additional Resources:
- Upper Madison River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Spanish Bullet Tan
Gray Sprout Midge
Rainbow Warrior Jig
Black Zebra Midge
Gold Lightning Bug
Parachute Adams
Purple Psycho Prince
Upper Madison River Fishing
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.
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