Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 09/02/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Upper Madison River has been fishing great. Cooler nights are making a real difference, helping the river settle into that late summer feel where trout are still active but not as aggressive as they were in July. Mornings have been cool and crisp, and the afternoons are staying warm, which keeps things moving if you time it right.
Right now, hopper fishing is the most productive. Big dry flies like thunder thighs, sweetgrass hoppers, morrish hoppers, and henneberry hoppers in tan and yellow are still getting solid eats, especially along grassy banks and slower seams. It’s not lights out every cast, but if you cover water and keep your drifts clean, fish will respond. Adding a small nymph below the hopper has been a good move too. A simple pheasant tail or lightning bug in size 16 to 18 does the trick when trout aren’t looking up.
There’s not much for hatch activity at the moment. That’s pretty normal for this time of year. You might see a few caddis or tiny mayflies here and there, but don’t count on much topwater action outside of terrestrials.
Streamer fishing is also starting to pick up, especially late in the day. When shadows stretch across the river. Smaller olive or black streamers are working well when fished tight to banks and stripped fast. You don’t need a heavy sink tip—just get it in the zone and give it some life.
Additional Resources:
- Upper Madison River Fishing in September
- Ennis Fly Fishing in September
- A Guide To Bozeman Fly Fishing in September
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Olive Mini Peanut Envy
Olive Mini Dungeon
Olive Inferno Gons
Black Pat's Rubberleg
Giant Orange Rogue Foam Stone
Golden Thunder Thigh Hopper
Golden Morrish Hopper
Gold Lightning Bug
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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