Lower Madison River Fly Fishing in June
June marks the start of summer on Montana's Lower Madison River and offers some of the season’s best fly fishing opportunities.
As the spring runoff slows, the summer hatches begin, making this an exceptional time for dry fly fishing.
Large brown trout feed in shallow water as the clarity improves and flows decrease. Crayfish and sculpin patterns fished under strike indicators elicit aggressive strikes that will make anyone a believer in the Lower Madison.
Recreational floaters start to become prevalent on the weekends and late afternoons as the water warms. Anglers should plan to focus their efforts in the morning hours after Father's Day. Beartrap Canyon offers escape from recreational floaters throughout the summer, but be mindful of rattlesnakes and poison ivy when walking the banks.
Lower Madison River Fly Fishing Hatches in June
Caddis hatches continue into June, along with golden stones, yellow sallies, pale morning duns (PMDs), and brown drakes. You’ll find the best dry fly fishing on the Lower Madison River during low light periods, like when evenings shadows cast by the surrounding mountains reach the river.
Mayflies like PMDs and brown drakes hatch in abundance on overcast days. A June thunderstorm can bring huge numbers of Madison River trout to the surface during the middle of the day.
Fishing the brown drake spinner fall in mid-June is a local favorite. Watch our Lower Madison River fishing report for the exact timing of this hatch as Father's Day approaches.
Salmonflies and large golden stones can be found in sporadic numbers throughout Beartrap Canyon through early June.
Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro Tip:
Lower Madison River fishing in June, around Father's Day, offers some of the best Montana fly fishing near Bozeman during the early summer. Look for the brown drake spinner fall during the late afternoons between California Corner and Black's Ford Fishing Access Sites. Anglers fishing large mayfly cripples and spinner fly patterns find a few legendary Madison River brown trout every year.
Lower Madison River Fishing Techniques in June
Although hatching insects present anglers with dry fly opportunities throughout June, nymph fishing is consistent and effective as well. We recommend pairing something big with something small: a lightly weighted crayfish or sculpin fly followed by PMD or yellow sally nymph dropper.
Evening outings to the river along US HWY 84 during the brown drake hatch in mid-June can provide some epic dry fly fishing once the shadows cover the river.
Sculpin patterns fished under a strike indicator will find some of the largest Madison River brown trout this time of the year.
Lower Madison River Fly Box for June
Lower Madison River Fly Fishing Guide Trips in June
We have been guiding fly-fishing anglers on Montana’s Lower Madison River for over two decades. Floating between the Warm Springs boat ramp and Greycliff Fishing Access Site is a great experience for anglers of all skill levels during the early summer in Montana.
The lower Madison is one of the best Montana fly fishing destinations in early June as much of the region's waters are high and off-color at that time. Our Bozeman fly fishing guide staff floats the Lower Madison frequently through the middle of the month.
Recreational floaters and warming water temperatures start to become factors in late June and we tend to turn our attention to the Upper Madison towards the third week of June
Learn more about June fly fishing day trips on the lower Madison River with Fins and Feathers' expert guides by submitting an inquiry through our Contact Form. Reservations can be booked online, through e-mail, or by calling us at 1-406-468-5019.