Madison River – Upper Fly Fishing Report

We define the Upper Madison as the stretch found between Quake Lake and Ennis. With the rugged Madison Range to the East and the mature Gravely Range to the West it is quite possibly the most scenic float in the state. The river has been called the “everlasting riffle,” with 55 miles of shallow water that is filled with boulders. Good populations of healthy Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat Trout thrive in the river. The towns of Ennis or West Yellowstone carry all the supplies you need with plenty of lodging in the area.

Madison River - Upper CFS

39 Fly Fishing Reports

  1. Kevin Bostwick says: Best Fly: Double nymph
    Water Conditions: steady
    Weather Conditions: warm morning
    Floated or Waded: floated
    Section of Water Fished: Upper

    The mornings up here have been really good. Seems the closer to noon it gets, the more the fishing dyes off. A few caddis and pmds still around but not many. I tried the surface for an hour or so but had minimal luck. Did the best with a double nymph rig. Fish seem to be hungry, just not interested in rising.

  2. Art C. says: Best Fly: streamers
    Water Conditions: good for the upper
    Weather Conditions: cool/stormy
    Floated or Waded: floated
    Section of Water Fished: upper

    Mornings have been the most consistant. Not too many dries around but I have seen a few small bugs. If you can match them you will catch some fish. Streamers have been my ticket, also running deep nymphs through the ripples have produced a few big fish.

  3. Jean Hughes says: Best Fly: Little sallies
    Water Conditions:
    Weather Conditions: nice summer weather
    Floated or Waded: floated
    Section of Water Fished: Ennis

    Getting some good toppical action these past few days. The go to right now for me are little sallies and caddis. Various other bugs on the water, but that has been the ticket for this guy. Its a beautiful time of year here, and the fishing is great!!

  4. Dylan says: Best Fly: Hoppers/caddis
    Water Conditions: good
    Weather Conditions: Sunny
    Floated or Waded: floated
    Section of Water Fished:

    Pulled some really nice fish today on hoppers and small caddis. Hoppers are picking up and caddis are the go to as the day progresses. Slower up here than it was a couple weeks ago durring the salmon fly battle, but still good fishing.

  5. Andy Bartlet says: Best Fly: Biggest rubberleg you can find
    Water Conditions: good
    Weather Conditions: sunny/warm
    Floated or Waded: floated
    Section of Water Fished:

    Not a bad day out today, but not the best either. Big rubberlegs and stones were our golden fly. A few caddis were around later, but we did not stay out very late. Towards the end of the day we dropped nymphs off the back to up our chances and it worked.

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