Upper Madison River Fly Fishing in August
Late summer on Montana's legendary Madison River brings exceptional dry fly fishing as hungry trout focus on terrestrials. Cool mornings offer the best fishing during the hottest days of the year.
Afternoon thundershowers are predictable, daily occurrences that cool down and refresh fish and wildlife throughout the Madison Valley.
August is an excellent month to experience the Madison River’s renowned trout fishing for anglers of all skill levels.
Upper Madison River Fly Fishing Hacthes in August
The summer hatches begin to wane in August, but trout still look for caddis and pale morning duns (PMDs) in the mornings and evenings. Terrestrial patterns like ants, beetles, and hoppers become more important as trout key in on bugs that fall 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 the Montana rivers near Bozeman with terrestrials is one of the most exciting ways to catch trout. Earlier in the mornings, fish a size #10 Purple Thunder Thighs Hopper with a Red Three Dollar Dip tied 3-5 feet off the hook bend. Around noon, switch to a more natural colored hopper (like yellow or tan) to fool some of the larger trout between Palisades Fishing Access Site and McAtee Bridge.
Upper Madison Fly River Fishing Techniques in August
Long leaders, fine tippets, and accurate casts, and drag-free drifts are essential to 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 in August. Our guides will often fish two dries on sunny days, such as a hopper followed by a small ant or beetle pattern, to fool 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 Fly Fishing 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 Montana fishing guide service has over 20 years of expertise on the complex water of the Madison River and can put you into trout while teaching new skills to expert anglers and novices alike.
Experienced anglers will appreciate early morning starts to beat the heat, and technical presentations to fool the educated fish 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 and late finish for a unique, summertime Madison River fishing experience.
Learn more about a Madison River fly fishing trip in August with our expert guides custom tailored to your preferences, expectations, and experience level.
Contact us for help with planning your Madison River fly 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.