Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Date: 07/16/2026

Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Upper Madison River has been one of the best places to fish lately, and it's hard to see that changing anytime soon.

With the warm weather sticking around, getting on the water early has been the way to do it. The mornings have been cooler, the fish have been more active, and it's a lot easier to stay ahead of both the heat and the afternoon crowds.

There are enough bugs around that fish have plenty to look at. Caddis are making up most of what's happening, but there are still PMDs, yellow sallies, and the first hoppers starting to show up. This isn't a time of year where fly selection needs to be perfect. Fish something that floats well and spend more time covering water than digging through the fly box.

A chubby chernobyl or water walker with a flashy perdigon underneath has been a good way to fish all day. If trout start eating on top, cut the nymph off and keep fishing the dry. There have been enough fish willing to come up that it's worth giving them the chance.

One thing that's easy to overlook this time of year is the faster water. Don't spend the whole day pounding the banks. The riffles, buckets, and broken water have been holding plenty of fish, and covering water has been a lot more productive than standing in one run waiting for something to happen.

Additional Resources:

- The Best Bozeman Fly Fishing in July

Stream Flows

View stream flow graph on USGS

Recommended Flies