The UPPER MADISON RIVER from the outlet of Hebgen Dam to the Ennis Town Ramp is OPEN to fishing all day long and it's been pretty good. 

Madison River Flows:

Once again, the last week brought some clouds, a little rain and cooler weather overall. There were some warmer days, but the heat wave did not hit us. The river dropped slightly this past week with the cooler weather, conserving water in Hebgen is the goal of NWE.  I personally would like to see 1100-1220 at Hebgen but these flows are still pretty good.  Currently, the elevation at Hebgen is just under two feet from full pond – we are in great shape with regards to water. 

Below Hebgen: 965 cfs

Kirby: 1080 cfs

Varney: 1230 cfs 

Between the Lakes

Things haven't changed much here over the last seven days, this is a very consistent stretch with regards to river temps and flows - and fishing. On cloudy overcast days, there will be some mayflies fluttering around. Caddis are around but not in bug numbers. Don't forget terrestrial box; those ants, beetles and hoppers are definitely in play. If a fish refuses your fly one time, it's worth changing to something that is lower profile and sitting in the film.  Fishing a single fly will help your fly drift with less drag. 

Flies - chubbies in smaller sizes(swing by the shop and check out our selection), Riffle Riser PMD cripple, Iron X Caddis, #14 & #16 Jojo's PMD, #14 Sparkle Dun PMD, Baltz's Paranymph #12-18, Last Chance PMD Cripple, Missing Link, Ginger Chubinator #16, Copenhaver Rusty Spinner #16 and #14, #14 PMD Film Critic, #8-12 Morrish hopper in various colors, Arrick's Ant, Jojo's Ant, Hoovie's Ant. 

For those wanting to nymph, try smaller nymphs like BH Shop Vacs, Bullet Quill style Jigs, BH Serendipities, Roza's Pink Hare's Ear, Bead Head PT, standard Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, AZ Hare's Ear, PTs, Serendipites and the like. 

Wade Section

10800 cfs is still a good flow for the Wade Section.  It's less pushy down there right now and getting your nymphs down doesn't require as much shot as it did over the past few weeks.  The banks are still flush with water and those gravel bars are still covered up for the most part.  There are lots of hiding places and deeper holes for them to take refuge in during the heat of the day. River temps this past week have fluctuated from 58-65 degrees.  It's not a bad idea to give the fish a break from 4-7pm.  Dissolved oxygen in the river plays a vital role in the health of the fishery, let's not forget the Madison River is plum full of dissolved O2. BUT, please fight those fish quickly, use heavier tippet when possible and keep those fish wet!   The river is strong and even the seasoned wade fisherman can get pushed around right now - be careful out there. Fish are eating dry flies throughout the day - caddis, craneflies, and Epeorus mayflies are hatching.  Look for those big Epeorus Spinners down there as well, they trickle off during the day and then come morning, they spin in solid numbers.  It's August folks - terrestrials are in the mix so don't forget your ants, beetles and hoppers!  Food for thought - If I had one fly in August to fish it would be ants.  When the hoppers are clicking, the trout will likely eat them, fish 2x to those hoppers. 

Flies - chubbies of all sizes, Riffle Riser PMD cripple, Iron X Caddis, #14 & #16 Jojo's PMD, #14 Sparkle Dun PMD, Baltz's Paranymph #12-14, Last Chance PMD Cripple, Center Stage Caddis, Missing Link is various colors from #12-#16, Ginger Chubinator #16, Copenhaver Rusty Spinner #14 and #12, #14 PMD Film Critic, Arrick's Ant, Jojo's Ant, Hoovies Ant, Morrish Hopper, Thunder Thighs, Sweet Dream Hopper, Henneberry Hopper, Dave's Hopper. 

Short leashing a couple of nymphs or fishing a chubby and a long dropper is a great way to cover the water.  Nymphs that we suggest for the wade section are - Hare&Copper, Serendipities, Shop Vac, Arizona Hares Ear, Jig Pheasant Tail, Red Neck, Hoover Black, Bullet Quills, Jig Napoleans, two bit hooker, #14-#18 Epoxyback Golden Stonefly, Frenchies or Pheasant Tails, the TB Ant is sneaky. 

Float Section

The recent drop in flows is noticeable in the float section, but it's not hurting anything.  I float guided from Palisades to Story Ditch on Wednesday - yesterday. I managed to slide over most of the exposed rocks in the skinny parts of the river, but there are lots of painted rocks now that the flows have come down.  Again, it's not quite a pushy as it was.  What that really means, is this: your nymphs will be easier to sink!  The banks are still flush with water, but some days they may not fish as well as they did when the flows were higher. The middle of the river is not to be overlooked, especially on the sunny days.  The tributaries continue to shrink but they are injecting cold water into the river.  Indian Creek is still putting cold water in the river, boy it would be nice if that thing could flow hard and not be drawn down due to irrigation. 

Fish are looking for ants, beetles and hoppers.  Caddis, PMDs, Epeorus Spinners and BWOs on cloudy days are all on the menu.  This past week, there were good emergences of BWO as the clouds and cooler weather always seem to make them hatch, even in August.  If you want to nymph, drop a BH off that #8 dry fly and run it.  If you are fishing a dry dropper rig, you're still nymphing, let's not forget that!  The banks, the slicks in the middle, the riffles around the gravel bars all have fish hanging around them. I personally like to fish with a single dry fly these days when targeting rising fish - your drift is just better off, especially in that north wind.  

Flies - chubbies of all colors and sizes, Riffle Riser PMD cripple, Balts's Iron X Caddis, #14 & #16 Jojo's PMD, #14 Sparkle Dun PMD, Baltz's Paranymph #12-14, Last Chance PMD Cripple, Ginger Chubinator #16, Copenhaver Rusty and Cream Spinner #14 and #12, #14 PMD Film Critic, Jojo's Rusty and Cream Spinner, #16 Chubbinator, #8 Pink Morrish Hopper, Thunder Thighs, Jojo's Royal Ant, Arrick's Ant, Hoovies Ant. 

Nymph fishing under a bobber with smaller bead heads like a AZ Hare's Ear, Red Neck, Hare&Copper, Shopvac, Epoxyback Golden Stones, soft hackle Hare's Ear, various Perdigons, Serendipities, Perdigons/Jigs will produce some good fishing. 

The summer HEAT WAVE will come back at some point and we all need to do our part.  Now that August is here, the river is hitting 69 degrees at 4pm, get on early and finish up early. 

1. Treat the fish with the utmost respect.  Pull over and release those fish on the banks. Release them in slow current. 
2. KEEP THEM WET. Do you really need another picture holding a trout?  Get creative with your photos.  Leave those fish in the net to take pics, or keep them as wet as possible.  Take a slow mo video of releasing your prize back to the river. 
3. If your trout swallowed the fly, cut the tippet and leave it in there, no need to jab those hemos down it's throat and make it bleed. 
4. Fish barbless, you don't need that thing if you keep tension on the line.  
5. Fish heavier tippet whenever possible. 

Treat those on the river with kindness and respect, you will actually catch more fish if you do. When you pull off the bank, give plenty of room to the boats up stream working their way down.  The Madison is moving very fast and most folks who are newer to rowing a boat don't realize that 100 yards is NOT enough space.  Give other boats plenty of room and be cool.  When putting your boat in and taking it out, be efficient, get things done and exit the ramp area.  

LOWER MADISON RIVER - Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River ​​from Warm Springs FAS to confluence with the Jefferson River​ beginning July 10.  This stretch of river is on the LOWER MADISON RIVER. 

​​Flows are measured below Ennis Reservoir at USGS gage 06041000 and water temperatures are measured at the Sloan gage that is operated by Northwestern Energy, which is near the Blacks Ford FAS.​ 

​​Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 7.​ 

​​Air temperatures over 90 F are anticipated for the foreseeable future with several days approaching 100 F this week. The lower Madison River receives high angling pressure and hundreds of recreational floaters a day during the summer months.​ 

Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River ​​​​Hebgen Reservoir to Yellowstone National Park boundary​​ beginning July 10

​​Flows and water temperatures are measured at USGS gage 06037500 near West Yellowstone​.

​​Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 7.

​​Air temperatures in the upper 80s to 90s are anticipated for the foreseeable future. This is the first time a hoot owl restriction has been placed on this section of the Madison River. After receiving feedback from the public and in anticipation of instituting restrictions, this section was included in the designated hoot owl restrictions table for the Madison River  drainage section of the Statewide Management Plan. The recommended closure is limited to the single section of river between Hebgen and the first location upstream that the river crosses the YNP boundary. Difficulty enforcing restrictions in the short sections adjacent to the YNP upstream would be difficult. ​ ​ 

click here for the most up to date restrictions for the State Of Montana.