Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 10/16/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
Winter looks to be trying to appear this week, followed by weather more consistent with fall in Montana. Fly fishing in Montana on the Upper Madison River should pick up nicely once this new weather pattern settles across the region.
Nymphing with tandem rigs under a strike indicator continues to be the most productive Madison River fly fishing technique. Clouds and unsettled weather will bring increased activity by blue-winged olive mayflies and trout. The BWO nymphs will become active with overcast conditions, so the trout will start to key into them for longer periods of the day.
Brown trout are very active right now with pre-spawn and spawning activity. Be mindful of redds and trout just "hanging" out in skinny water in the Raynold's Pass and Valley Garden sections of the Madison - leaving them alone would be prudent advice.
Fly fishing with streamer patterns has been fun for anglers fishing during the early morning hours. Next week should bring more consistent action for longer periods of the day!
Click to enlarge
Flows
802 CFS
On 2024-10-16
Red San Juan Worm
Pink Lite Brite Perdigon
Tan and Yellow Double Gonga
Gold/Silver/Copper Kreelex
Experience Montana fly fishing on the upper Madison River with the Bozeman MT fly fishing guides from Fins and Feathers. We have been outfitting fly fishing in Montana for over two decades on the Madison River.
Novice and first-time anglers fishing the Madison can expect a day full of fly fishing learning experiences surrounded by the spectacular landscape of Southwest Montana.
Expert anglers know that the river holds legendary Brown Trout that will slowly rise to a well-presented dry fly or chase down a quick-stripped sculpin pattern while streamer fly fishing.
- $695 for 1 or 2 Anglers Per Guide
- Float Trips With Wading Opportunities
- Use of All Fishing Equipment Is Included
- Single And Multi-Day Trip Bookings Available
- Meet In Bozeman, Ennis, or at launch sites
- Book Online or Contact Us To Learn More
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.