Upper Madison River Fishing in August
Late summer on Montana's legendary Madison River brings exceptional dry fly fishing along with hungry trout focused on terrestrials. Cool mornings offer some of the best fishing of the day during the hottest days of the year.
Afternoon thundershowers are predictable, daily occurrences that offer a cooling refresh to the water and wildlife throughout the Madison Valley.
August is an excellent month to experience Madison River’s renowned trout fishing for anglers of all skill levels.
August Hatches on the Upper Madison River
The summer hatches begin to wane in August, but trout still look for caddis and Pale Morning Duns in the mornings and evenings. Terrestrial patterns like ants, beetles, and hoppers become more important as trout key in on grasshoppers falling into the river.
Spruce Moth activity along the upper, tree-lined banks between Pine Butte and McAtee Bridge will bring trout to the surface throughout the day.
Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro-Tip:
Fly fishing in Montana with Terrestrials is one of the most exciting ways to catch trout. Earlier in the mornings, a size 10 Purple Thunder Thighs with a Red Three Dollar Dip tied 3-5 feet off the hook bend is effective. Around noon tying on more natural colors like yellow and tan can fool some of the larger trout between Palisades FAS and McAtee Bridge.
Upper Madison River Fishing Techniques in August
Long leaders, fine tippets, and accurate casting are essential to achieve drag-free drifts for success in August.
Fishing attractor patterns or large dry flies can help get the trout's attention during times when they seem relatively inactive. Dry dropper rigs with a hopper and small nymph dropper are standard setups in August. Fishing two dries on sunny days, such as a hopper followed by a small ant or beetle pattern, is one of our guide’s go-to rigs for finding large Brown Trout during the heat of the summer.
Slowly dragging a sculpin pattern under a strike indicator can be very effective and is a great technique for novice anglers fishing the Madison in August.
Our Upper Madison River Fly Box for August
Upper Madison River Guide Trips in August
Fins and Feathers Guide Service provides float and walk/wade day trips on the Madison in August, tailored to the hatches and conditions. Our guides have over 20 years of expertise on the complex water of the Madison River and can put you into trout while teaching new skills to both expert anglers and novices alike.
Experienced anglers will appreciate early morning starts to beat the heat on the upper sections between Lyon’s Bridge and Varney Bridge.
When hopper fishing is at its best, talk with your guide about possibly doing a late start for a unique, summertime Madison River fishing experience.
Learn more about a Madison River fly fishing trip in August with our expert guides that cater to your experience level.
Contact us for help with planning your Madison River fishing trip. Guided trip reservations can be secured online if you have your dates and the number of anglers all squared away. E-mail or call us at 406-468-5019 with any questions.