Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 12/01/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
The weather forecast has shaped up nicely this week for fishing Montana’s Upper Madison river with temps hanging in the forties. Fishing close to Ennis between Varney bridge and Valley Garden has some great nymphing water. Fishing way up high in the wade only section around Three Dollar Bridge should also be productive.
Try fishing a small golden stonefly nymph size 12-14 followed by a dark or shiny Perdigon style fly size 16-18. A black Spanish Bullet and a Rainbow Warrior are some of our favorites. Focus on fishing the deep slow moving water. We typically will add some split shot above our lead fly to ensure getting down quickly. With the spike in temperature there's opportunity to find some fish coming to the surface for midges around Reynolds Pass and Three Dollar Bridge. A peacock cluster in size 18-20 usually will trick a few fish.
Streamer fishing can be hit or miss in the winter on the Upper Madison. However these spikes in temps can get some fish in the mood for a bigger meal. Keep your fly selection on the smaller side, Sculpzillas and Mini Sex Dungeons in olive are a few go-to flies. If the fish aren’t in the mood to chase a fly down we also like to fish a sculpin pattern as our lead fly on a tandem nymph rig to find some fish on the bigger side.
Please note that regulations changed in 2024, and all lures and flies must be barbless when fishing downstream of Varney Bridge.
Click to enlarge
Flows
794 CFS
On 2024-12-1
Black Pat's Rubberleg
Poxyback Golden Stone
Black Zebra Midge
Rainbow Warrior Jig
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
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- Use of All Fishing Equipment Is Included
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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.